Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guotai Sun, Jian-Wen Shi, Siman Mao, Dandan Ma, Chi He, Hongkang Wang, Yonghong Cheng
Summary: A new photocatalyst, tri-arm CdS/ZnS core-shell nanorod, shows significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance with improved quantum efficiency and hydrogen evolution rate. This enhancement is attributed to the win-win situation between the CdS/ZnS heterojunction and the H+ adsorption resulting from DDA molecules.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
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
Maximilian Wagner, Franziska Groehn
Summary: A facile method for synthesizing tunable core-shell CdS-ZnxMn1-xS nanoparticles with adjustable optical properties and optimized catalytic activity has been described. The results reveal that the shell composition is a crucial factor in optimizing the catalytic activity.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Pradip Kumar Kalita, Yowa Nanung, Hirendra Das
Summary: CdS, ZnS and CdS/ZnS core-shell quantum dots were synthesized and their structural, optical and electrical properties were investigated. Increasing shell thickness introduced higher defect density, defect induced crystal strain and charge separation, leading to quantum tunneling in conduction mechanism of quantum dots. The synthesized semiconductor core/shell quantum dots exhibited oscillatory behavior in their current-voltage characteristics, attributed to coulomb-blockade oscillations. The present study systematically studied room temperature quantum oscillation behavior in core/shell quantum dots and can contribute to the development of future quantum oscillatory nanoscale devices.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vempuluru Navakoteswara Rao, Vijayarengan Preethi, Urupalli Bhargav, Parnapalle Ravi, Ashish Kumar, Marappan Sathish, Venkata Krishnan, Vemula Venkatramu, Murikinati Mamatha Kumari, Kakarla Raghava Reddy, Nagaraj P. Shetti, Tejraj M. Aminabhavi, Muthukonda Venkatakrishnan Shankar
Summary: The study focuses on designing and developing an efficient and durable photocatalyst for generating H2 fuel from industrial wastewater under solar light irradiation. The research reported the synthesis of ZnS wrapped with NiO hierarchical core-shell nanostructure via a surfactant-mediated process. The optimized catalyst showed high rates of H2 generation in lab-scale and demonstrative photoreactors, indicating recyclability and reusability for continuous photocatalytic H2 generation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vempuluru Navakoteswara Rao, Parnapalle Ravi, Marappan Sathish, Nagappagari Lakshmana Reddy, Kiyoung Lee, Mohan Sakar, Pathi Prathap, Murikinati Mamatha Kumari, Kakarla Raghava Reddy, Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda, Tejraj M. Aminabhavi, Muthukonda Venkatakrishnan Shankar
Summary: This study elucidated the synthesis of mono-dispersed ZnS/NiO-core/shell nanostructures with controlled thermal treatments, showing enhanced H2 generation and stable photocurrent density in water splitting experiments. The optimized ZnS/NiO-core/shell exhibited 1.42 times higher H2 generation compared to pristine ZnS-core and 64.5 times higher than pristine NiO-shell. Additionally, the developed photocatalysts demonstrated excellent stability in recyclability tests.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jiwu Zhao, Qiuying Huang, Zidong Xie, Yuan Liu, Fengkai Liu, Fen Wei, Sibo Wang, Zizhong Zhang, Rusheng Yuan, Kaifeng Wu, Zhengxin Ding, Jinlin Long
Summary: Light-driven valorization conversion of CO2 is an encouraging carbon-negative pathway that shifts energy-reliance from fossil fuels to renewables. A hierarchical urchin-like hollow-TiO2@CdS/ZnS (HTO@CdS/ZnS) Z-scheme hybrid with excellent photocatalytic CO2-to-CO activity was synthesized. This study provides insights for constructing diverse heterostructures for the storage and conversion of renewables and chemicals.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lili Deng, Ningjie Fang, Shilin Wu, Song Shu, Yinghao Chu, Jiaxiu Guo, Wanglai Cen
Summary: This study successfully prepared a highly efficient and cost-effective photocatalyst system by constructing NiCoP core-shell structure on the surface of hollow CdS. The results demonstrated that NiCoP acted as an excellent co-catalyst, promoting the photocatalytic activity and stability of H-CdS.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhanfen Chen, Jiaqi Pan, Jie Mei, Qi Yu, Panhong Wang, Peipei Wang, Jingjing Wang, Changsheng Song, Yingying Zheng, Chaorong Li
Summary: A ternary Co3O4/CdS/SrTiO3 core-shell pn junction is fabricated by depositing a CdS shell on the surface of a SrTiO3 nanosphere, followed by growing p-type Co3O4 lamellas on the CdS/SrTiO3 core-shell heterojunction surface. The resulting structure shows a 15-fold enhancement in hydrogen evolution ability compared to single SrTiO3 nanospheres, attributed to the narrow band gaps of CdS and Co3O4 increasing visible light response and efficient charge carrier transfer into water. Additionally, the core-shell structure provides active sites and shortens the photoelectron transport path to improve photocatalytic stability.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
O. Kuzyk, O. Dan'kiv, R. Peleshchak, I. Stolyarchuk
Summary: A model of spherical quantum dot of the core/multilayer shell type, taking into account the mismatch between lattice parameters and pressure due to surface curvature, was constructed. The influence of external pressure on the band structure of a CdSe-core/ZnS/CdS/ZnS-shell quantum dot was investigated using the deformation potential method. It was found that the optical band gap width of the quantum dot can be changed in a wide range by adjusting the thickness of the shell layers and the amount of pressure. Additionally, a critical value of comprehensive pressure was observed for small CdSe QD cores, above which the value of baric coefficient decreases abruptly. The thickness of the CdS layer in the shell also affected the critical pressure.
PHYSICA E-LOW-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS & NANOSTRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bing Luo, Jinghua Li, Wei Wang, Chaoqian Ai, Haihan Zhang, Yuxin Zhao, Dengwei Jing
Summary: Designing high efficacy photocatalysts is a promising approach to enhance solar fuel production efficiency. In this study, a core/shell composite of loose ZnCr layered double hydroxide nanosheets modified CdS nanorods was prepared for efficient visible light driven photocatalytic hydrogen production. With synergistic actions and a Z-scheme energy band configuration, the highest hydrogen production rate achieved was 22.4 times higher than that of Pt-modified CdS, demonstrating the potential of this composite for solar H-2 production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huajuan Ren, Kun Ye, Haoyu Chen, Feiyu Wang, Yuting Hu, Qiaofang Shi, Haiyan Yu, Rongguan Lv, Ming Chen
Summary: The interest in noble-metal-free semiconductor photocatalysts for efficient H2 production under simulated sunlight is high among researchers. In this study, a novel ZnO@ZnS core-shell nanorod with varying ZnO core thicknesses was synthesized through partial vulcanization. The ZnO@ZnS (1:1) material exhibited the best photocatalytic performances, with hydrogen production rates significantly higher than other materials tested. The improved performance can be attributed to the distinctive internal structure of ZnO core and the homologous heterogeneous interface between ZnS and ZnO.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Wang, Kaili Wu, Wei Cao, Kun Rui, Wenchao Wang, Ruixue Zhu, Jixin Zhu, Zhiping Yan
Summary: Inspired by the Z-scheme strategy, a polymeric nitrogen-rich carbon nitride/cadmium sulfide (g-C3N5/CdS) core-shell heterojunction is constructed to optimize the photocatalytic performance, effectively suppressing the recombination of charge carriers and excited state decay. The g-C3N5/CdS heterojunction catalyst achieves a hydrogen production rate of 7860 μmol h(-1) g(-1) under visible light without extra cocatalyst, which is significantly higher than both pure CdS and g-C3N5 photocatalysts. The ultrafast charge trapping process and long-lived excited states in the g-C3N5/CdS photocatalyst are observed through femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, while density functional theory calculations confirm the enhanced charge separation in the heterojunction.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ben Chong, He Li, Baorong Xu, Guidong Yang
Summary: In this study, a hollow double-shell stacked photocatalyst was constructed to enhance the photocatalytic performance through the loading of cocatalysts. The compact heterojunction structure between the double shells and the synergistic effect of the cocatalysts promoted the separation of electron-hole pairs and suppressed the reverse reaction. This work provides a new approach for designing unique structure and high-performance photocatalysts for photocatalytic water splitting.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rafael G. Toscano-Negrette, Jose C. Leon-Gonzalez, Juan A. Vinasco, A. L. Morales, Fatih Koc, Ahmet Emre Kavruk, Mehmet Sahin, M. E. Mora-Ramos, Jose Sierra-Ortega, J. C. Martinez-Orozco, R. L. Restrepo, C. A. Duque
Summary: A theoretical analysis of optical properties in a ZnS/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell spherical quantum dot was conducted, considering variations of internal dot radius, the application of electric and magnetic fields, as well as the presence of on-center donor impurity. It was found that the transition energy decreases with the growth of internal radius and the increase of external magnetic field, leading to red-shift of resonant peaks. Conversely, the application of electric field resulted in a blue-shift of resonances but a decrease in the amplitude of optical responses. The activation of impurity effects caused a decrease in energy values, particularly impacting the ground state and resulting in an increase in transition energies.
Article
Thermodynamics
S. Vallova, E. Plevova, K. Smutna, B. Sokolova, L. Vaculikova, V. Valovicova, M. Hundakova, P. Praus
Summary: This study evaluates the potential of commercial montmorillonites in removing analgesic drugs from aqueous solutions. The organically modified montmorillonite demonstrated strong adsorption ability, especially exhibiting the best adsorption performance for diclofenac among the three analgesics studied.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Emilia Alwin, Robert Wojcieszak, Kamila Koci, Miroslava Edelmannova, Michal Zielinski, Agata Suchora, Tomasz Pedzinski, Mariusz Pietrowski
Summary: This study introduced Pt, Ru, and Ir onto the surface of g-C3N4 through the wet impregnation method and induced structural changes through hydrogen reduction. The results showed that the structural changes significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity, with the enhanced activity mainly attributed to the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs on metal nanoparticles and the structural distortions of g-C3N4.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Petr Praus
Summary: This study provides an overview of s-C3N4, an allotrope of graphitic carbon nitride, addressing its significance, particularly in terms of its potential as a photocatalyst.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vlastimil Matejka, Mara Leonardi, Petr Praus, Giovanni Straffelini, Stefano Gialanella
Summary: This study evaluated the role of graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) in friction composites for brake pad manufacturing and found that its main function is as a soft abrasive.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vlastimil Matejka, Radim Skuta, Krystof Foniok, Vlastimil Novak, Daniel Cvejn, Alexandr Martaus, Monika Michalska, Jiri Pavlovsky, Petr Praus
Summary: This study describes the doping of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with phosphorus through heat treatment, and investigates the influence of phosphorus content on the photocatalytic degradation activity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jan Prech, Ewelina Szaniawska, Kamila Koci, Jiri Cejka, Beatriz Trindade Barrocas, Miroslava Filip Edelmannova
Summary: This study aims to investigate the correlation between the structural properties of mesoporous zeolites and their photocatalytic performance. The results show that titanosilicate photocatalysts exhibit higher selectivity towards CO2 reduction products compared to commercial TiO2, P25. The photocatalysts with unit-cell-thick nanosheets and MFI zeolite topology demonstrate the highest photoreduction quantum efficiency. Additionally, the interaction strength and hydrophilicity of the photocatalysts play significant roles in the photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Petr Praus, Lenka Rehackova, Jakub Cizek, Aneta Smykalova, Martin Kostejn, Jiri Pavlovsky, Miroslava Filip Edelmannova, Kamila Koci
Summary: This study synthesized C3N4 from nitrogen-rich precursors, forming vacancy complexes that are beneficial for hydrogen generation, and the photocatalyst exhibited higher performance than bulk C3N4 synthesized in air.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Petr Praus, Aneta Smykalova, Daniel Cvejn, Sandra Losertova, Martin Kostejn, Vlastimil Novak
Summary: By surface modification of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), the pore size distribution and surface structure could be altered, resulting in improved photocatalytic activity. Among the doping agents, the photocatalyst prepared through the reaction of PCl3 and pyridine showed the highest activity.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiri Horak, Lenka Kubonova, Milan Dej, Jiri Rysavy, Stanislav Bajer, Zdennk Kysucan, Pavel Ulrich, Pavel Marecek, Filip Tesar, Martin Garba, Frantisek Hopan, Petr Praus
Summary: Maintaining a pH value between 6 and 9 in wastewater is crucial for protecting water organisms. The use of dolomite is an effective and affordable way to neutralize the acidic condensate from gas condensing boilers. However, the effectiveness of dolomite may be reduced in the long run due to the aluminum content in the heat exchanger, so aerating the condensate in the neutralization box is recommended for more efficient neutralization.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Petr Praus
Summary: This review summarizes research articles on the photocatalytic fixation of nitrogen using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) from 2015 onwards. The NH3/NH4+ production rates from these articles were statistically processed, with the highest rate achieved by the composite g-C3N4 and 1T-MoS2 being 11120 mu mol g(-1) L-1 h(-1). The highest reported rate provided by bulk g-C3N4 was 5561 mu mol g(-1) L-1 h(-1), which surpassed 90% of the rates from various g-C3N4 composites. The quantum efficiency of the composites ranged from 0.033 to 5.65% with a median of 1.25%. Although not competitive with the industrial Haber-Bosch process, graphitic carbon nitride shows promise for future investigations into photocatalytic nitrogen fixation under visible light.
Review
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Petr Praus
Summary: This study searched for an empirical relationship between the number of review and research articles published per year. The simple idea based on proportionality between the numbers of both kinds of articles was expressed using a quadratic relationship that accounts for negative or positive deviations from assumed linearity. The quadratic relationship was able to accurately describe the early and mature phases of research fields and detect unexpectedly high numbers of review articles. The findings were verified using articles from 20 different research fields across various time spans obtained from the Web of Science.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. Michalska, V. Matejka, J. Pavlovsky, P. Praus, M. Ritz, J. Serencisova, L. Gembalova, M. Kormunda, K. Foniok, M. Reli, G. Simha Martynkova
Summary: This study demonstrates the comparison of two different semiconductor materials, TiO2 and melem/g-C3N4 composites, modified with Ag nanoparticles as photocatalysts for degradation of acid orange 7 (AO7) dye. A new synthesis route for Ag NPs was proposed, and the best photocatalytic performances were achieved for TiO2 and melem/g-C3N4 materials modified with a very low Ag content. The results suggest the potential of these materials for the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marcel Sihor, Muhammad Bilal Hanif, Guru Karthikeyan Thirunavukkarasu, Viktoriia Liapun, Miroslava Filip Edelmannova, Tomas Roch, Leonid Satrapinskyy, Tomas Plecenik, Sajid Rauf, Karol Hensel, Olivier Monfort, Martin Motola
Summary: This study demonstrates the facile and scalable fabrication of large-area TiO2 nanostructures via electrochemical anodization, with excellent photocatalytic activity and hydrogen production. The formation of different TiO2 nanostructures with varied morphology and performance at different applied potentials was observed. The highest caffeine photodegradation and hydrogen production rates were achieved using specific TiO2 nanostructures. This work highlights the potential strategy for the synthesis of large-area anodic TiO2 nanostructures for efficient photocatalysis and hydrogen production.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sarka Pausova, Michal Baudys, Jiri Kosina, Petr Praus, Albin Pintar, Gregor Zerjav, Matevz Roskaric, Matjaz Finsgar, Josef Krysa
Summary: Sufficient photochemical stability is crucial for the successful environmental applications of g-C3N4 photocatalyst. This study investigates the photostability of g-C3N4 materials under UV and visible light irradiation, and analyzes the production of organic compounds. The results show that g-C3N4 materials produce organic compounds under UV or visible light, while TiO2 does not. This may be due to the surface oxidation reaction of g-C3N4 materials, which leads to the disruption of C-N bonds and the release of organic compounds.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huiqin Wang, Haopeng Jiang, Pengwei Huo, Miroslava Filip Edelmannova, Libor Capek, Kamila Koci
Summary: Efficient NiO nanoparticles/TiO2 nanorods p-n heterojunction structure photocatalyst was constructed through reasonable design, showing enhanced photoactivity and hydrogen production. The detailed characterization of the photocatalyst's photoelectrochemical properties was conducted, followed by discussion of the photocatalytic reduction mechanism.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
