Z-scheme photocatalysts, with strong redox ability, have a great potential for pollutants degradation. However, it is challenging to construct efficient Z-scheme photocatalysts because of their poor interfacial charge separation. Herein, by employing transparent and conductive SnO₂ as electron mediator to pass light through and promote interfacial charge transportation, a novel Z-scheme photocatalyst Si-SnO₂-TiO_x (₁ < _x < ₂) was constructed. The Z-scheme photocatalyst displayed an order of magnitude higher photocurrent density and a 4-fold increase in open-circuit potential compared to those of Si. Moreover, the onset potential shifted negatively for approximately 2.2 V. Benefiting from these advantages, this Z-scheme Si-SnO₂-TiO_x exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance toward phenol degradation and mineralization. 75% of the phenol was degraded without bias potential and 70% of the TOC was removed during phenol degradation. Other typical pollutants such as bisphenol A and atrazine could also be degraded without bias potential. Introducing a transparent and conductive electron mediator to construct Z-scheme photocatalyst gives a new sight to the improvement of photocatalytic performance in Z scheme.

具有强氧化还原能力的Z型光催化剂具有降解污染物的巨大潜力。然而，由于界面电荷分离差，构造高效的Z-方案光催化剂具有挑战性。在此，通过使用透明且导电的SnO ₂作为电子介体使光通过并促进界面电荷传输，新型Z-方案光催化剂Si-SnO ₂ -TiO _x（₁ < _x < ₂）的建筑。与Si相比，Z型光催化剂显示出更高的光电流密度一个数量级，开路电势增加了4倍。此外，起始电势在大约2.2 V处发生负向偏移。得益于这些优点，这种Z方案Si-SnO ₂ -TiO _x对苯酚降解和矿化表现出有效的光催化性能。75％的苯酚在无偏压的情况下降解，并且在苯酚降解过程中去除了70％的TOC。其他典型的污染物，例如双酚A和阿特拉津，也可以被降解而不会产生偏压。引入透明导电的电子介体构建Z型光催化剂为Z方案中光催化性能的提高提供了新的视野。