Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chao Peng, Tao Zhou, Ping Wei, Xiqiang Yan, Youchao Kong, Wenkang Xu, Hongjuan Wang, Hao Yu, Jianbo Jia, Kun Zhang, Bingpu Zhou, Hui Pan
Summary: This study fabricates 0D/2D/2D NCDs/TiO2/Ti3C2Mx photocatalyst via hydrothermal route for the first time and explores the synergistic effect of MXene and NCDs in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanosheets. The results show that the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and tetracycline hydrochloride degradation of 0.1 NCDs/TiO2/Ti3C2Mx-12 h are significantly higher than those of TiO2. The surface termination dominated electronic property of MXene and the synergistic interfacial charge kinetics steering play crucial roles in the photocatalytic enhancement.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dominik Wrana, Thomas Gensch, Benedykt R. Jany, Karol Cieslik, Christian Rodenbuecher, Grzegorz Cempura, Adam Kruk, Franciszek Krok
Summary: The study explores the impact of extrinsic and intrinsic defects on photoluminescence decay dynamics in Nb-doped rutile TiO2. It was found that dislocations pinned at grain boundaries exhibit lower photoluminescence intensity and faster decay times than those in the bulk, with the ability to be reversed upon reduction. Additionally, the research shows that PL lifetimes in rutile TiO2 are governed by predominant Auger processes that are insensitive to reduction, unlike dislocations.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Stefano Lettieri, Michele Pavone, Ambra Fioravanti, Luigi Santamaria Amato, Pasqualino Maddalena
Summary: Photocatalysis plays a key role in addressing important challenges of the ecological transition, such as environment remediation and conversion of renewable energies. Titanium dioxide is a benchmark photocatalyst with many favorable characteristics. Researchers are exploring ways to overcome the limitations of TiO2 and discussing new research trends towards solar hydrogen production.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Wu, Shouwei Zuo, Mei Qiu, Yang Li, Yongfan Zhang, Pengfei An, Jing Zhang, Huabin Zhang, Jian Zhang
Summary: This study successfully locates isolated Co atoms on the surface of TiO2 nanosheets, providing efficient catalytic sites for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. X-ray absorption fine structure measurements confirm that the Co atoms are successfully dispersed on the TiO2 surface via grafting. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the isolated Co atoms can accelerate electron transfer and hydrogen evolution reactions through effective Co-O electronic coupling.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Soniya Gahlawat, Ibbi Y. Ahmet, Patrick Schnell, Igal Levine, Siyuan Zhang, Pravin P. Ingole, Fatwa F. Abdi
Summary: This study presents a spray-pyrolysis method for the fabrication of BaSnO3 photoanodes with a smaller optical gap. By annealing the photoanodes in H2S gas, the optical gap is further reduced, leading to a significant increase in photocurrent density and improved charge carrier mobility. Spectroscopy techniques reveal that the annealing process generates defect states, which contribute to the enhanced performance.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cong Fu, Lingfang Liu, Xuelin Fan, Guofeng Zhao
Summary: Tracking the concentrations of surface-reaching photoexcited charges in photocatalysis is crucial for understanding the fundamental science behind the process. In this study, a novel method using in situ and time-resolved diffuse-reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was developed to analyze the kinetic behavior of adsorbed methanol species on different TiO2 crystal surfaces. The results revealed that the concentration of surface-reaching photoholes in anatase TiO2 nanoparticles is approximately 3.3 times higher than that in rutile TiO2 nanoparticles under light irradiation. This finding provides new insights into the higher photocatalytic activity of anatase compared to rutile. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of using in situ and time-resolved DRIFTS for tracking the concentration of surface-reaching photoexcited charges in photocatalysis and similar catalytic processes.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Clarizia, Giuseppe Vitiello, Robert Bericat Vadell, Jacinto Sa, Raffaele Marotta, Ilaria Di Somma, Roberto Andreozzi, Giuseppina Luciani
Summary: The existing literature survey reports on the effect of preparation methods of metal-based semiconductor photocatalysts on photocatalytic H-2 generation are rare and conflicting. In this study, we compared different copper/titania-based photocatalysts for H-2 generation prepared by photodeposition and impregnation methods. Our study aimed to establish a correlation between physicochemical/electronic properties and photocatalytic performances for H-2 generation through material characterization and kinetic modeling. The results showed that H-2 generation photoefficiency over impregnated CuxOy/TiO2 is related to an even distribution of Cu(0)/Cu(I) on TiO2 and extended charge carrier lifetime and separation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Guiyang Yu, Xin Zhou, Haitao Zhao, Wenxiang Zhang, Wenfu Yan, Gang Liu
Summary: The presence of metastable sulfur vacancies enhances the intrinsic H2 evolution behavior of semiconductors, potentially offering a new approach to design semiconductor photocatalysts that are less dependent on cocatalysts.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anand Pandey, Fouran Singh, Ashish Garg, D. Kanjilal, Lokendra Kumar
Summary: This study demonstrates the impact of 100 MeV Au7+ ion irradiation on the work function and charge-transport properties of TiO2 thin films. The irradiation with varying fluences results in changes in surface potential, work function, optical transmittance, band gap, and defect levels of TiO2 films. Electrical parameters such as the Schottky barrier height, sheet resistance, and ideality factor are also evaluated to understand the impact on charge carrier transport properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fulai Liu, Yanyan He, Xiaopeng Liu, Zhuan Wang, Hong-Lai Liu, Xiang Zhu, Chun-Chao Hou, Yuxiang Weng, Qianfan Zhang, Yong Chen
Summary: This research presents a strategy of built-in control of donor-acceptor interactions to regulate excitonic effects in benzobisthiazole-bridged covalent organic frameworks, leading to accelerated exciton dissociation and enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Huan Shang, Hongbao Jia, Pengpeng Li, Hao Li, Wenbin Zhang, Shuangjun Li, Qing Wang, Shuning Xiao, Ding Wang, Guisheng Li, Dieqing Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the recent advances in photocatalytic oxidation of NO, discussing strategies to regulate carrier dynamics and enhance the adsorption and activation of reactants. The mechanisms of NO oxidation are explained in detail. The challenges and prospects of photocatalytic NO oxidation are also presented in terms of nanotechnology for air pollution control.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoping Chen, Yina Liu, Yi Sun, Tianshi Zhao, Chun Zhao, Tawfik A. Khattab, Eng Gee Lim, Xuhui Sun, Zhen Wen
Summary: In this study, a MXene/TiO2 hybrid film was prepared as an intermediate layer in a TENG to regulate and store charges, thereby improving the output performance of the TENG.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
D. Panchal, A. Sharma, S. Pal
Summary: Two-dimensional MoS2 has great potential as a photocatalytic material for water treatment, but its pristine nanostructure has limitations due to high recombination rate. This review summarizes the strategies used to improve the photocatalytic performance of MoS2, including scaling down to few/mono nanosheets, constructing heterojunctions with other materials, and defect engineering. The review also discusses the misinterpretation of charge transfer in heterojunctions and the generation of reactive species. Furthermore, recent progress in MoS2-based photocatalytic systems for environmental remediation is discussed, along with future research directions for designing superior photocatalysts.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yonghao Zhu, Run Long
Summary: This study focuses on bilayer black phosphorus and demonstrates that appropriate twist angles can significantly improve charge carrier lifetime and diffusion length. The interlayer coupling is determined by interlayer distance rather than wavefunction overlap. Weakened interlayer couplings in the twisted systems inhibit out-of-plane motions and lead to spontaneous charge separation, resulting in longer carrier lifetimes and extended diffusion lengths compared to AB stacking.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Reshalaiti Hailili, Hongwei Ji, Kaiwen Wang, Xing'an Dong, Chuncheng Chen, Hua Sheng, Detlef W. Bahnemann, Jincai Zhao
Summary: Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is a promising method for air purification by removing nitrogen oxide (NO) pollutants. However, the efficiency of photocatalytic treatment is hampered by sluggish carrier separation, catalyst deactivation, and incomplete oxidation. In this study, various ZnO structures with deliberate surface defect constructions were fabricated to address these issues. The results showed that ZnO rich in oxygen vacancies exhibited significantly enhanced NO removal efficiency and fewer toxic byproducts compared to pristine and vacancy-poor ZnO. Furthermore, the surface defects promoted not only carrier separation but also molecular oxygen activation, resulting in the generation of strong oxidant superoxide radicals and improved efficiency. Density functional theory calculations confirmed the successful adsorption and activation of NO and molecular oxygen on the defective surface, further contributing to the enhanced NO conversions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shiyu Gao, Sijie Wan, Jiaguo Yu, Shaowen Cao
Summary: The construction of conjugated copolymers with a donor-acceptor system is a promising strategy for improving photocatalytic activity. In this study, a donor-acceptor modified carbon nitride conjugated copolymer was fabricated and showed enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution due to the extended pi-conjugated system and induced intramolecular charge transfer.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xidong Zhang, Jiaguo Yu, Wojciech Macyk, S. Wageh, Ahmed A. Al-Ghamdi, Linxi Wang
Summary: In this study, a step-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst C3N4/PDA (CNP) was constructed, which showed improved H2O2 production rate compared to most reported photocatalysts.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Duoduo Gao, Haoyu Long, Xuefei Wang, Jiaguo Yu, Huogen Yu
Summary: The electron density regulation of active sites can optimize the hydrogen-binding strength. A new concept of antibonding-orbital occupancy state is proposed to explain the influence mechanism of electron density on the Se-H-ads bond strength. By constructing a Se-rich environment, ReSe2+x nanodots achieve first-rank adsorption energy towards atomic hydrogen. The Se-enriched environment induces the formation of electron-deficient Se(2-delta)- and increases the stability of the Se-H-ads bonds.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaowen Ruan, Chengxiang Huang, Hui Cheng, Zhiquan Zhang, Yi Cui, Zhiyun Li, Tengfeng Xie, Kaikai Ba, Haiyan Zhang, Lei Zhang, Xiao Zhao, Jing Leng, Shengye Jin, Wei Zhang, Weitao Zheng, Sai Kishore Ravi, Zhifeng Jiang, Xiaoqiang Cui, Jiaguo Yu
Summary: Designing S-Scheme heterojunctions can effectively improve the photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution by avoiding futile charge transport routes. In this study, a twin S-Scheme heterojunction consisting of graphitic C3N4 nanosheets, hydrogen-doped rutile TiO2 nanorods, and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles was proposed. The catalyst exhibited a high hydrogen evolution rate of 62.37 mmol g(-1) h(-1) and an apparent quantum efficiency of 45.9% at 365 nm. The significant enhancement of photocatalytic performance was attributed to the efficient charge separation and transfer facilitated by the unique twin S-Scheme structure. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping tests, and other characterizations confirmed the charge transfer route in the twin S-Scheme.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chang Cheng, Bicheng Zhu, Bei Cheng, Wojciech Macyk, Linxi Wang, Jiaguo Yu
Summary: This study constructed a series of pyrene-alt-dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide (P16PySO)/tungsten trioxide (WO3) composites to investigate the mechanism of photocatalytic styrene oxidation under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The S-scheme charge transfer pathway within P16PySO/WO3 was systematically analyzed. The results revealed that triplet oxygen (O-3(2)) could efficiently trap the energy of triplet excited P16PySO through an energy transfer process and convert to singlet oxygen (O-1(2)), which played an important role in styrene oxidation.
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiaguo Yu, Kai Dai, Chuanbiao Bie
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ping Xie, Xuejie Wang, Zibao Qian, Tao Liu, Jiaguo Yu, Liuyang Zhang
Summary: The volume expansion and poor conductivity of FeS as a sodium-ion battery anode can be alleviated by surface decoration, improving its sodium storage performance.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linxi Wang, Jian Sun, Bei Cheng, Rongan He, Jiaguo Yu
Summary: Photocatalysis provides a low-cost, clean and sustainable process for H2O2 production, but electron-hole recombination and slow reaction kinetics hinder its practical application. The solution lies in constructing S-scheme heterojunctions to enhance carrier separation and boost redox power. This Perspective summarizes recent advances in S-scheme photocatalysts for H2O2 production, including building heterojunctions, H2O2-production performance, and photocatalytic mechanisms. Future research directions and strategies to improve H2O2 yields are suggested.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kamil Urbanek, Kaja Spilarewicz, Jiaguo Yu, Wojciech Macyk
Summary: This work designed an advanced photocatalytic system composed of titanium dioxide (P25) and mSFO (Sn-doped magnetite with Fe-doped cassiterite) for gas phase CO2 reduction. A synthesis route of mSFO composite was proposed, and the obtained material was characterized by various techniques. The mSFO/P25 system showed photocatalytic reduction ability of CO2 to CO, which was confirmed by the use of labeled carbon dioxide. The surface photovoltage and electrochemical measurements supported the S-scheme mechanism.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tao Liu, Yu Yang, Xuejie Wang, Wenxue Yan, Jiaguo Yu, Liuyang Zhang
Summary: Graphene-based electrodes have great potential in sodium-ion batteries, but the large two-dimensional structure limits the ion diffusion and rate performance. In this study, a nanohybrid of FeCo2Se4 and holey graphene was successfully prepared, which provides high-density diffusion channels for sodium ions and achieves outstanding rate performance and cycling durability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Panyong Kuang, Zhenrui Ni, Bicheng Zhu, Yue Lin, Jiaguo Yu
Summary: By providing dual active sites for H2O dissociation and H+ reduction, ordered intermetallic alloys exhibit extraordinary performance for pH-universal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, activated N-doped mesoporous carbon spheres supported intermetallic Pt3Fe alloys (Pt3Fe/NMCS-A) are reported as highly-efficient electrocatalysts for pH-universal HER. The synthetic strategy is further extended to the synthesis of Pt3Co and Pt3Ni alloys with excellent HER activity in pH-universal electrolytes, showing great potential for practical applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peiyu Hu, Guijie Liang, Bicheng Zhu, Wojciech Macyk, Jiaguo Yu, Feiyan Xu
Summary: Exploring photocatalysts for CO2 conversion is a promising approach for mitigating energy scarcity and environmental pollution. In this study, SnO2/Cs3Bi2Br9 heterojunctions were constructed to enhance CO2 photoreduction. The unique structure enabled efficient separation of photoexcited electron/hole pairs and demonstrated excellent selectivity for CH4 production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenhao Zhao, Liping Wen, Ivan P. Parkin, Xiujian Zhao, Baoshun Liu
Summary: In this study, the Fermi-level (E-F) shift of the UV-illuminated Ag/TiO2 system under gaseous conditions was evaluated using in situ photoconductance and theoretical analysis. The role of Ag nanoparticles in storing and separating electrons was discussed, and it was found that the E-F of Ag/TiO2 is located deeper in the gap and is less affected by temperature compared to undecorated TiO2. The analysis showed that approximately 46 electrons can be stored in 10 nm Ag nanoparticles under the experimental conditions, and the blue-shift of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in Ag nanoparticles is not related to electron storage.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling Li, Yuwei Zhong, Yongfei Hu, Jilin Bai, Fen Qiao, Abdelaal S. A. Ahmed, Ghafar Ali, Xiujian Zhao, Yi Xie
Summary: This study develops a facile room-temperature approach for the synthesis of environmentally friendly all-inorganic orange-red-emitting Ag-doped and Mn-doped lead-free halide double perovskite Cs2NaBiCl6 (CNBC) in the shape of an octahedron. Both Ag and Mn doping heavily enhance the photoluminescence intensity of the CNBC samples, and their stability is studied under various conditions. The photocatalytic performances of the samples are investigated, demonstrating a strong and stable photodegradation activity. This work provides a facile and cost-effective protocol for doped lead-free double perovskites as stable and environmentally friendly alternative photocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhihui Rao, Zhilin Li, Xiujian Zhao, Xiao Gong
Summary: A targeted high-precision luminescence thermometer was designed using a lead-free double perovskite platform by selecting multiple thermally coupled levels (TCLs) of the Er3+ ion. By choosing different TCLs in a single system platform, more precise temperature resolution can be obtained in different temperature regions from 100 K to almost 880 K. This work provides a quantitative guideline for the development of the next generation of temperature sensor based on trivalent erbium ions.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)