Article
Engineering, Environmental
Haitham M. El-Bery, Hani Nasser Abdelhamid
Summary: Water splitting via photocatalysis using titanium dioxide holds great potential for hydrogen gas generation. In this study, cobalt oxide embedded nitrogen-doped carbon (Co3O4@C) was synthesized using zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) as a sacrificial precursor, which showed significant enhancement in photocatalytic performance and hydrogen generation rates when used as a co-catalyst with TiO2. The Co3O4@C/TiO2 system exhibited recyclability for more than four cycles without significant loss of performance, indicating its potential for further exploration in effective photocatalysis.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Irfan Ullah, Akhtar Munir, Ali Haider, Najeeb Ullah, Irshad Hussain
Summary: Sunlight and water are plentiful and sustainable energy resources. The development of artificial catalytic systems inspired by natural photosystems for solar-induced water splitting to produce hydrogen is a challenging task for chemists and energy experts. Despite considerable research efforts, the development of efficient, stable, and economic photocatalysts remains a goal for large-scale hydrogen production.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Detlef Bahnemann, Peter Robertson, Chuanyi Wang, Wonyong Choi, Helen Daly, Mohtaram Danish, Hugo de Lasa, Salvador Escobedo, Christopher Hardacre, Tae Hwa Jeon, Bupmo Kim, Horst Kisch, Wei Li, Mingce Long, M. Muneer, Nathan Skillen, Jingzheng Zhang
Summary: As nations transition towards low or net zero carbon economies due to global climate change, the need for practical alternative fuels is urgent. Hydrogen gas is considered one of the most desirable substitutes for traditional hydrocarbons, but obtaining "green" hydrogen from low or zero carbon footprint sources presents challenges. Research focuses on practical techniques for producing "green" hydrogen through photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic processes. However, the capability of this technology to produce hydrogen at scale has faced significant issues. This road map article explores various aspects of photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation, including processes, materials science, reactor engineering, and biomass reforming applications.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-ENERGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Fateh Mikaeili, Tessa Gilmore, Pelagia-Iren Gouma
Summary: Rapid population growth and increasing energy consumption have led to environmental pollution and energy demands. Therefore, research on innovative wastewater treatment and utilization of renewable energy sources has become necessary. This review focuses on recent progress in photocatalysis for water splitting, including the introduction of photocatalysis and hydrogen as a fuel source, explanation of water splitting, discussion of ideal photocatalytic materials, current material systems, limitations, and the potential of TiO2 systems in future photocatalysis research.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongbo Xu, Lijie Chen, Xiaowu Zhang, Lili Li, Qijia Ding, Guoxing Zhu
Summary: In this study, a photocatalyst was prepared by utilizing metal-organic framework derived metal oxides as catalysts, combined with niobate, showing enhanced photocatalytic activity for water splitting. The addition of Co3O4 as a co-catalyst further improved the photocatalytic performance of the catalyst.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haizhen Ding, Fangfang Ren, Peifei Liu, Yushuo Feng, Xiaoqian Ma, Zhiyang Shen, Qianqian Shi, Mengjiao Xu, Wenle Li, Hongmin Chen
Summary: By anchoring Cu2+ on carbon photocatalyst, continuous generation of H2 and H2O2 in tumors through visible water splitting is achieved. The process also generates redox-active Cu-carbon centers, inhibiting tumor growth. This research combines hydrogen therapy and cuproptosis, providing a safe and effective cancer treatment.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(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
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Marshet G. Sendeku, Fengmei Wang, Zhongzhou Cheng, Peng Yu, Ning Gao, Xueying Zhan, Zhenxing Wang, Jun He
Summary: Layered van der Waals metal phosphorus trichalcogenides have been widely explored for their potential in energy conversion and electronics. This study successfully synthesized 2D nonlayered tin thiohypodiphosphate nanosheets with promising photocatalytic water splitting activity. The ulatrathin Sn2P2S6 catalyst shows auspicious performance and stability, making it a significant advancement in the search for new materials for future energy conversion.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenmin Wang, Bing Li, Hsin-Ju Yang, Yuzhi Liu, Lakshmanan Gurusamy, Lakshmanan Karuppasamy, Jerry J. Wu
Summary: Hydrogen is a sustainable and clean fuel that has attracted attention as an alternative to fossil fuels for alleviating global warming. The novel Cu/ZnS/COF composite photocatalyst demonstrated efficient hydrogen production due to its unique core-shell structure and abundant active sites.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ayat N. El-Shazly, Mahmoud A. Hamza, Nageh K. Allam
Summary: The defect engineering of BiPO4 nanorods via hydrogen treatment can enhance photocatalytic performance, but high-temperature treatment may lead to structural damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shanshan Chen, Swarnava Nandy, Junie Jhon M. Vequizo, Takashi Hisatomi, Mamiko Nakabayashi, Zhenhua Pan, Qi Xiao, Zheng Wang, Lihua Lin, Song Sun, Kosaku Kato, Akira Yamakata, Naoya Shibata, Tsuyoshi Takata, Fuxiang Zhang, Kazunari Domen
Summary: This study demonstrates an efficient utilization of charge carriers on LTCA for Z-scheme overall water splitting through Ga-doping and Rh cocatalyst deposition, leading to improved charge transfer and catalytic conversion.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jamal Abdul Nasir, Akhtar Munir, Naveed Ahmad, Tanveer ul Haq, Zaibunisa Khan, Ziaur Rehman
Summary: Photocatalytic water splitting is a crucial approach for green hydrogen production, utilizing Z-scheme mimicking natural photosynthesis to catalyze surface chemical reactions through effective coupling of semiconductors and redox mediators. Recent studies have made progress in understanding the mechanisms of Z-scheme photocatalysis through experimental and theoretical approaches based on density functional theory.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chenyun Zhang, Puyu Qu, Mei Zhou, Lidong Qian, Te Bai, Jianjiao Jin, Bingwei Xin
Summary: Ionic liquids (ILs) have shown active prospects in the field of electrocatalysis. ILs act as active components in catalyst preparation, with special structure and catalytic performance. ILs can be used as modifiers and reagents to prepare electrocatalysts for water splitting. The designability of ILs allows for ingenious composition of cations and anions, resulting in special structures and high performance. ILs as heteroatom sources are safe, green, and easy to operate, and the strategy of using ILs as reagents aims to achieve 100% atomic transformation, conforming to the concept of green chemistry. This review offers a deeper understanding of IL-derived electrocatalysts and inspires the design of high-performance electrocatalysts for water splitting.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
M. Gopinath, R. Marimuthu
Summary: This paper discusses different generation methods of hydrogen using solar energy as a triggering agent, specifically indirect techniques. The indirect methods include bio photolysis, thermochemical, photolysis, and electrolysis, with electrolysis having the highest energy and exergy efficiency. Thermochemical ranks low in terms of raw material availability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yizhen Wang, Yingying Jiao, Junchao Qin, Jianshe Wang
Summary: In this work, a one-step strategy was explored for the preparation of holey carbon nitride nanosheets (HCNS) by using melamine and copper oxide. The thermal polymerization of melamine led to the decomposition of released ammonia by copper oxide, resulting in the preparation of HCNS. The filled copper oxide also effectively decomposed ammonia and improved the photocatalytic activity of carbon nitride.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Magdalena Miodynska, Alicja Mikolajczyk, Pawel Mazierski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Wojciech Lisowski, Grzegorz Trykowski, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
Summary: In this study, lead-free Bi-based perovskites were synthesized and examined for their morphological, structural, and photocatalytic properties. The most promising perovskite structures were selected using a machine learning based virtual screening method and combined with C3N4 composite for enhanced photocatalysis. The optimized Cs3Bi2(Cl/Br)9 perovskite on the C3N4 matrix achieved approximately 84% efficiency in the degradation of phenol under visible light.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
M. Szkoda, Z. Zarach, M. Nadolska, G. Trykowski, K. Trzci
Summary: In this study, a molybdenum disulfide/tin oxide (MoS2/SnO2) composite was synthesized using a hydrothermal method and evaluated for its photocatalytic performance in the reduction of hexavalent chromium and degradation of methylene blue. The obtained composite exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared to pure MoS2, making it one of the most photoactive catalysts for methylene blue photodecomposition. Additionally, the composite demonstrated excellent activity in the photoreduction of chromium (VI). These findings highlight the enormous potential of the MoS2/SnO2 composite in photocatalytic applications.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria C. Nevarez Martinez, Onur Cavdar, Lukasz P. Halinski, Magdalena Miodynska, Patrycja Parnicka, Beata Bajorowicz, Marek Kobylanski, Lukasz Lewandowski, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
Summary: This research presents a method for detecting and quantifying hydrogen generated in photocatalytic reaction systems, along with standard operation procedures. Gas chromatography with thermal conductivity detector was utilized to prepare calibration curves and validate their linearity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jakub Sowik, Tomasz Grzyb, Grzegorz Trykowski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Kostiantyn Nikiforow, Onur Cavdar, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Anna Malankowska
Summary: In this study, novel Ln-MOF with microrods shape was successfully combined with ZnIn2S4 microsphere for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. The results showed that the combination of Ln-MOF and Pt nanoparticles significantly enhanced the hydrogen generation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dominik Knozowski, Pradeep Vallachira Warriam Sasikumar, Romain Dubey, Marcel Aebli, Kostiantyn Kravchyk, Grzegorz Trykowski, Maksym Kovalenko, Thomas Graule, Monika Wilamowska-Zawlocka, Gurdial Blugan
Summary: In this work, a nanocomposite based on silicon oxycarbide and tin nanoparticles was synthesized using UV light. The SiOC ceramic matrix with a conductive free carbon phase showed excellent electrochemical stability and lithium-ion storage capacity. The SiOC/Sn nanocomposite exhibited high reversible capacity and stability as an anode for Li-ion batteries.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Agnieszka Sulowska, Agnieszka Fiszka Borzyszkowska, Karolina Cysewska, Katarzyna Siwinska-Ciesielczyk, Konstantin Nikiforow, Grzegorz Trykowski, Anna Zielinska-Jurek
Summary: This study focuses on the use of organic-inorganic hybrid materials for photocatalytic removal of heavy metals from water. The researchers investigated the effect of the morphology of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on the adsorption and photoreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) under simulated solar light and visible light. They synthesized titanium (IV) oxide/PEDOT composites with different morphologies using a water-in-oil microemulsion method. The composite with PEDOT microvesicular morphology showed the highest efficiency of Cr(VI) photoreduction to Cr(III) and improved photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Klein, Justyna Luczak, Anna Brillowska-Dabrowska
Summary: Ionic liquids (ILs) can be persistently present in water and fungi have the potential to biodegrade ILs. However, previous studies have mainly focused on bacterial species rather than fungi. This research aimed to determine the significance of fungi in ILs' biodegradation and found that a consortium of microorganisms enriched with a selected fungal strain was able to decompose the IL, resulting in a 64.93% biodegradation rate for 2 mM [OMIM][Cl] within 28 days, while an individual fungal strain (Candida tropicalis) only reached a maximum biodegradation rate of 4.89% in 10 days.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Michalina Ehlert, Aleksandra Radtke, Natalia Forbot, Tomasz Jedrzejewski, Katarzyna Roszek, Patrycja Golinska, Grzegorz Trykowski, Piotr Piszczek
Summary: This study investigates the use of an intermediate layer (IL) to successfully link hydroxyapatite (HA) coating to a titanium alloy substrate. The morphology, structure, and chemical composition of the system were characterized, and the ability of apatite formation on the surface was evaluated. In vitro experiments on cell viability, growth, and osteogenic properties were conducted. The nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) intermediate layer showed promising results for bone tissue regeneration.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marta Gmurek, Johannes Alexander, Pawel Mazierski, Magdalena Miody, Maciej Fronczak, Tomasz Klimczuk, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Harald Horn, Thomas Schwartz
Summary: The study aimed to reduce facultative pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent. The efficiency of various processes in removing antibiotic resistance genes was evaluated. The study investigated the removal of selected antibiotic resistance genes, bacterial regrowth potential, and the removal of total genomic DNA content using TiO2-CuPd photocatalysts under visible light radiation. The highest removal efficiency for most targets was achieved with TiO2-CuPd/VIS. Photocatalytic ozonation with TiO2-CuPd showed significant removal of facultative pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. Photocatalytic ozonation has great potential for eliminating antibiotic resistance genes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weronika Brzozowska, Izabela Wojtczak, Viorica Railean, Zhanar Bekissanova, Grzegorz Trykowski, Boguslaw Buszewski, Myroslav Sprynskyy
Summary: This research focuses on utilizing unicellular algae (diatoms) to synthesize AgNPs/TiO(2)NPs/DBP hybrid composites, and characterizes their elemental and mineral composition, structure, morphology, and photoluminescent properties using various techniques. The study reveals the epitaxial growth of Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of pyrolyzed diatom cells. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential of the composites is evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eryk Fernandes, Pawel Mazierski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Rui C. Martins, Joao Gomes
Summary: Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) catalysts were synthesized using melamine, urea, and thiourea as precursors, and their influence on photocatalytic performance was investigated. Urea-based catalyst (UCN) showed the best results under all radiation sources, followed by thiourea and melamine. UCN achieved higher degradation of parabens under UVA compared to visible light, while natural sunlight had the highest removals using UCN. UVA lamps consumed 45% less energy and costs. Photocatalytic ozonation using UCN and MCN showed superior performance and complete removal under 12 minutes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Damian Makowski, Wojciech Lisowski, Mateusz A. Baluk, Tomasz Klimczuk, Beata Bajorowicz
Summary: Hybrid materials based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and NTU-9 metal-organic frameworks (MOF) were prepared and showed improved photocatalytic performance for the degradation of toluene under LED visible-light irradiation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mateusz A. Baluk, Pawel Mazierski, Aleksandra Pieczynska, Kostiantyn Nikiforow, Grzegorz Trykowski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
Summary: Various metal-organic framework (MOF)/TiO2 heterostructures can be obtained by adjusting the hydrolysis and calcination steps of Ti-based MOFs. Modification of the composition with metal nanoparticles can significantly increase the efficiency of hydrogen photogeneration and the photodegradation of phenol. These improvements are related to the excitation of MOFs and TiO2, electron transfer, electron accumulation on nanoparticles, and the generation of reactive oxygen species.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jakub Sowik, Pawel Mazierski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Kostiantyn Nikiforow, Anna Malankowska, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
Summary: In this paper, CuxO microstructures were successfully fabricated via the electrochemical method with long, regular and well-packed CuO microwires. The effects of applied potential, sodium fluoride content, and calcination conditions on the morphology, phase composition, optical and photoelectrochemical properties were investigated. The highest photocurrent response was achieved for the sample with 0.35% sodium fluoride content, 10V applied potential, 400 degrees C calcination temperature, and 60 minutes calcination time. The mechanism of photocurrent generation in the presence of CuxO/Cu under UV-Vis irradiation was proposed.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Pawel Mazierski, Patrycja Wilczewska, Wojciech Lisowski, Tomasz Klimczuk, Anna Bialk-Bielinska, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Ewa M. Siedlecka, Aleksandra Pieczynska
Summary: The research presented in this study demonstrated the enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity of SnS quantum dot-sensitized Ti/TiO2 photoelectrode under sunlight. It showed high efficiency in degrading anticancer drugs and provided insights into the mechanism and degradation pathway of these drugs.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
