Review
Chemistry, Applied
Shutao Li, Yihe Zhang, Hongwei Huang
Summary: This review introduces the development and applications of black phosphorus (BP)-based heterostructures. BP exhibits excellent physical and chemical properties, making it suitable for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reactions. Different dimensions of BP can be used to prepare various types of heterostructures, which are widely used in water splitting, CO2 reduction, pollutant degradation, and other fields. However, further development of BP-based heterostructures faces challenges and opportunities.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Guping Zhang, Dongyun Chen, Jianmei Lu
Summary: BP photocatalysts have adjustable direct band gaps, wide light absorption ranges, and ultrahigh charge carrier mobility, making them promising nonmetal photocatalysts. However, their poor ambient stability and fast recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes limit their performance. To overcome these limitations, BP-based heterojunction photocatalysts have been developed by combining BP with other catalyst materials.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Falak Shafiq, Muhammad Bilal Tahir, Abid Hussain, M. Sagir, Jalil Ur Rehman, Imen Kebaili, Hussein Alrobei, Meshal Alzaid
Summary: A novel p-n heterojunction Bi2O3/BiVO4 sample was prepared for efficient hydrogen energy production. The as-prepared 3% Bi2O3/BiVO4 showed an outstanding hydrogen evolution rate of 171.13 mmol h-1 g-1, which was 16 times higher than that of the pure sample, attributed to its unique crystal structure, morphology, high surface area, and extended region of visible light.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kejian Lu, Fei Xue, Feng Liu, Mengfan Li, Wenlong Fu, Hao Peng, Chunyang Zhang, Jie Huang, Ze Gao, Hongwen Huang, Maochang Liu
Summary: In this study, atomic-scale N-doped NaTaO3@Ta3N5 core-shell cubes were prepared by nitridation of cubic NaTaO3. The core-shell heterojunctions exhibited efficient and stoichiometric evolution of H2 and O2 from photocatalytic overall water splitting, with a quantum efficiency of 2.18% at 550 nm. The successful performance was attributed to the thin Ta3N5 shell, increased lifetimes of the photogenerated charges, and the type-I band alignment that promoted smooth charge flow from N-NaTaO3 to Ta3N5. The efficiency was further improved to 6.28% by in situ deposition of a Rh@Cr2O3 core-shell cocatalyst.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Menglong Wang, Shuai Xu, Zhaohui Zhou, Chung-Li Dong, Xu Guo, Jeng-Lung Chen, Yu-Cheng Huang, Shaohua Shen, Yubin Chen, Liejin Guo, Clemens Burda
Summary: Single-atom nickel catalysts prepared on red phosphorus using a reactive-group guided strategy exhibit elevated hydrogen evolution rate under visible-light irradiation due to their specific Janus structure.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jorge L. Dominguez-Arvizu, Jaime A. Jimenez-Miramontes, Blanca C. Hernandez-Majalca, Gabriela E. Valenzuela-Castro, Felipe A. Gaxiola-Cebreros, Jesus M. Salinas-Gutierrez, Virginia Collins-Martinez, Alejandro Lopez-Ortiz
Summary: This study focuses on the synthesis of p-n heterojunctions of NiFe2O4/Cu2O for photocatalytic water splitting. The evaluation of their properties and photocatalytic activity reveals a direct correlation between charge carrier concentration and hydrogen production, suggesting the potential application of these heterojunctions in this field.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun Mei, Tianwei He, Juan Bai, Dongchen Qi, Aijun Du, Ting Liao, Godwin A. Ayoko, Yusuke Yamauchi, Litao Sun, Ziqi Sun
Summary: The introduction of nanosized iridium (Ir) modifier and optimized exposed surfaces towards electrolytes leads to an efficient Ir-modified BP electrocatalyst with favorable adsorption energies towards catalytic intermediates, showing outstanding pH-universal water splitting performance surpassing most reported BP-based and commercial noble-metal catalysts.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
S. A. Ali, T. Ahmad
Summary: Photocatalytic water splitting is an environmentally friendly method to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Perovskite photocatalysts show great potential for efficient hydrogen evolution with lower cost compared to conventional materials. This review discusses the prospects of using perovskite photocatalysts, including their structural and compositional modifications, to improve the photocatalytic activity and achieve sustainable hydrogen energy production.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Crystallography
Zijie Xiao, Yayun Wang, Hui Chen, Haotian Wang, Yuke Li, Yilin Chen, Yun Zheng
Summary: Black phosphorus (BP) and heptazine-based crystalline carbon nitride (KPHI) composite photocatalysts were synthesized using molten salt and ultrasound-assisted liquid phase exfoliation methods. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of the prepared BP/KPHI composites were evaluated. The photocatalytic performance of the composites for hydrogen production was investigated, with the 10% BP/KPHI composite exhibiting the highest activity, about three times higher than pristine KPHI. This nanocomposite photocatalyst shows potential as an excellent material for solar energy conversion due to its simplicity, rapidity, high yield, and controllability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. Ilanchezhiyan, G. Mohan Kumar, C. Siva, H. D. Cho, D. J. Lee, N. Lakshmana Reddy, A. G. Ramu, T. W. Kang, D. Y. Kim
Summary: Neodymium-based perovskite nanostructures doped with cobalt were successfully processed to improve photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting performance, attributed to the beneficial effects of cobalt ions; Enhanced conductivity in the nanostructures facilitated PEC functions through improved photoelectrode fabrication; Cobalt ions were effective in promoting the separation of charge carriers, enhancing the overall performance of the neodymium-based perovskite nanostructures.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuanmei Xu, Xiaoqin Zhang, Zhihong Chen, Krzysztof Kempa, Xin Wang, Lingling Shui
Summary: The amorphous molybdenum sulphide layer composed of black phosphorus and molybdenum sulphide significantly enhances the performance of photoelectrochemical water splitting on the bismuth vanadate film; inserting a layer of black phosphorus between molybdenum sulphide and bismuth vanadate can improve the photoelectrochemical performance and stability of the electrodes; the molybdenum sulphide/black phosphorus/bismuth vanadate electrode exhibits excellent current density, twice as high as that of the pure bismuth vanadate electrode.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Muhammad Qasim, Maochang Liu, Liejin Guo
Summary: In this study, a P-doped-g-C3N4/Fe2P/red-P ternary composite was constructed through in-situ phosphorization of a Fe2O3@C/g-C3N4 heterojunction. The as-prepared composite exhibited significantly improved photocatalytic activity for pure water splitting under visible light irradiation without the need for noble metal additives. The optimized composite, containing 15 wt% Fe2P, showed the highest activity with a hydrogen production rate 107 and 39 times higher than that of pristine g-C3N4 and P-doped g-C3N4 respectively. Furthermore, this noble-metal-free photocatalyst achieved a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of about 0.2%.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luminita Isac, Alexandru Enesca
Summary: This article discusses the applications of ZnS nanostructures and ZnS-based heterojunctions in removing organic pollutants, utilizing UV, visible light, and sunlight in wastewater treatment. The effects of different synthesis parameters and properties on the photocatalytic performance of ZnS-based photocatalysts are extensively explored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Enquan Zhu, Shuxian Zhao, Hong Du, Yuhua Ma, Kezhen Qi, Cangchen Guo, Zhi Su, Xin Wang, Zhende Wu, Zhuanhu Wang
Summary: A type-II heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared using Bi2Fe4O9 nanoparticles and hydrothermal-treated red phosphorus, showing rapid and efficient photoreduction of Cr(VI). The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the tight heterojunction between the two semiconductors, facilitating carrier transfer and reducing charge-transfer resistance. This work provides new potential for constructing heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient reduction of Cr(VI).
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Manman Yang, Xiangjun Li, Shuai Duan, Xiaoran Zhang, Hairui Sun, Xin Chen, Taichao Su, Lin Gu, Xiaobing Liu
Summary: This study successfully stabilizes the black phosphorus phase and improves its electrical properties and thermal conductivity by creating a heterojunction structure in thermoelectric materials. The highest zT value of 1.1 is achieved in the (Sb, Se, Ge)Te-BP system at a temperature range of 300-610K.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jian-Gong Yang, Xiu-Fang Song, Gang Cheng, Siping Wu, Xingyu Feng, Ganglong Cui, Wai-Pong To, Xiaoyong Chang, Yong Chen, Chi-Ming Che, Chuluo Yang, Kai Li
Summary: In this study, a new class of carbene-Au-carbazolate complexes with twisted D-A conformation were developed. The presence of large aromatic substituents restricted the rotation of the Au-N bond, resulting in a twisted orientation. The twisted conformation decreased the energy gap between the lowest singlet excited state and the triplet manifold, and accelerated the reverse intersystem crossing rate, leading to improved delayed fluorescence efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fangzhen Tian, Fulai Liu, Qianqian Chen, Li Wang, Shanyue Guan, Shuyun Zhou, Yong Chen
Summary: In this study, a facile doping strategy was reported to enhance the Fenton activity by regulating the electron density of reaction center atoms. The incorporation of Mn elements in Fe2P altered the electron density, significantly improving the catalytic activity and boosting the center dot OH yield by 4-folds. Moreover, Fe2P@Mn0.1Fe0.9P exhibited hyperthermia under NIR-II irradiation, further enhancing the Fenton reaction.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoyong Mo, Xutao Gao, Armida V. Gillado, Hsuan-Yu Chen, Yong Chen, Zhengxiao Guo, Heng-Liang Wu, Edmund C. M. Tse
Summary: In this paper, the authors developed a laser-assisted nanomaterial preparation process to fabricate bimetallic nanocatalysts for glycerol oxidation reaction. The method allows for room temperature synthesis under an ambient atmosphere without liquid waste emission. The fabricated PdCu/C nanomaterials exhibit high activity and selectivity in the glycerol oxidation reaction.
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.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fulai Liu, Xutao Gao, Rui Shi, Zhengxiao Guo, Edmund C. M. Tse, Yong Chen
Summary: The electrooxidation of EG to GA with high efficiency and selectivity has been achieved using a Pd-Ni(OH)2 catalyst. The generation of OH* promoted by Ni(OH)2 plays a critical role in facilitating EG-to-GA oxidation and removing poisonous carbonyl species. The synergistic effect of Pd and Ni facilitates the rapid desorption and transfer of GA, avoiding over-oxidation and achieving high selectivity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fulai Liu, Xutao Gao, Rui Shi, Jinfan Xiong, Zhengxiao Guo, Edmund C. M. Tse, Yong Chen
Summary: This study reports an electrocatalytic strategy for the selective oxidation of KA oil to AA coupled with H2 evolution over a Co3O4/graphdiyne cooperative catalyst (Co3O4/GDY). Experimental studies reveal that GDY facilitates the enrichment of cyclohexanone on the catalyst surface and enhances the adsorption/activation of cyclohexanone.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei-Hu Yu, Rui Jin, Xiaoyong Chang, Kai Li, Ganglong Cui, Yong Chen
Summary: This study reports a new class of long-persistent luminescence (LPL) materials by doping a monovalent Au-carbene complex into a boron-embedded molecular host. These materials exhibit high-efficiency photoluminescence and long lifetimes at room temperature. It is found that the Au atom promotes the population of low-lying triplet excited states, leading to afterglow luminescence. Additionally, the use of a chirality unit results in circularly polarized LPL.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zijun Li, Yiqiao Wang, Yongping Luo, Rui Xiao, Hao Ye, Yu Xie, Yongcun Ma, Yong Chen, Yun Ling
Summary: In this study, a type I heterojunction was formed by loading CoP on the surface of CdS, which increased the photocurrent density and solved the problem of CdS photocorrosion. The best photocatalytic performance reached 4.43 mmolg(-1) h(-1) under visible light when the loading of CoP was 10%, which was 20.1 times higher than that of CdS (0.22 mmolg(-1) h(-1)). After 5 cycles of simulated solar irradiation, the performance of 10% CoP/CdS remained at 93% of the initial test. This work provides new ideas for the design of low photocorrosion and high-performance catalysts.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxiang Wang, Kesheng Liu, Fulai Liu, Chuxuan Liu, Rui Shi, Yong Chen
Summary: Segregation-less Pd1Ag1 alloy nanoparticles were successfully fabricated for the electro-reforming of waste PET into glycolate C-2 products with high selectivity (97%) and long-term stability (>500 h). The addition of Ag atoms improved glycolate selectivity by reducing its adsorption on Pd active sites, and the surface *OH species generated on Ag sites facilitated the rapid oxidation of toxic carbonyl species, thereby improving the stability of Pd sites. Therefore, the synergistic effects of Pd1Ag1 NPs provide an effective way for practical electro-reforming of real-world waste PET into value-added products with high selectivity and stability.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Chu-Xuan Liu, Rui Shi, Wangjing Ma, Fulai Liu, Yong Chen
Summary: The recycling of plastic waste is important due to its negative impacts on the environment and health. Photoreforming is a promising approach to convert plastic waste into valuable chemicals and H-2 fuels. This study introduces a Ni2P/ZnIn2S4 catalyst that can selectively photoreform various polyester plastics into high-value chemicals and H-2 fuels under mild conditions. The system exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance, providing a potential solution for practical recycling applications.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fulai Liu, Xutao Gao, Rui Shi, Edmund C. M. Tse, Yong Chen
Summary: This study reports a general electrocatalytic strategy for selectively upgrading various polyester plastics into valuable chemicals using a CuCo2O4/Ni foam catalyst. The method efficiently converts polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into terephthalate and formate, providing guidance for the design of new electrocatalysts.
