Review
Chemistry, Physical
Zhongxiao Li, Shi Fang, Haiding Sun, Ren-Jei Chung, Xiaosheng Fang, Jr-Hau He
Summary: Hydrogen, a zero-pollution, sustainable, low-cost, and high-efficiency energy source, has great potential for the 21st century. Solar water-splitting techniques, such as photovoltaic-electrolysis (PV-EC) and photoelectrochemistry (PEC), have shown promise with solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency over 10%. However, there is a gap between laboratory research and practical application, which can be addressed by understanding the basic principles, historical developments, and performing comprehensive techno-economic analysis.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pei Wang, Yong-Jun Yuan, Qing-Yu Liu, Quan Cheng, Zhi-Kai Shen, Zhen-Tao Yu, Zhigang Zou
Summary: This study constructed 2D-2D MoS2/TiO2 photocatalysts, which significantly improved the efficiency of photocatalytic lignocellulose-to-H-2 conversion and demonstrated high H-2 generation rates. By optimizing the interface structures of the photocatalyst, more efficient solar-driven lignocellulose-to-H-2 conversion can be achieved.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng-Ting Lee, Ling- Hung, Yu-Chieh Shih, Jeffrey Chi-Sheng Wu, Sue-Lein Wang, Chao-Wei Huang, Van-Huy Nguyen
Summary: The unique magnesium salt of titanium phosphite (MgTiP) was synthesized and applied for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution using seawater. The addition of a sacrificial agent, FeCl2, in the system enhanced hydrogen evolution and prevented MgTiP from photo-corrosion. The ions in seawater acted as sacrificial agents and enhanced the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution while preventing MgTiP from being corroded by light.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
R. Roshan, B. K. Nahak, D. Mahata, P. Yadav, S. Panda, Santanu Patra, S. S. Mahato, Ashutosh Tiwari, S. Mahata
Summary: In this study, surface functionalized cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were used as a photocatalyst for efficient demineralization of methylene violet and rhodamine B to produce hydrogen. The influence of sulfur vacancy on photocatalytic hydrogen production was systematically investigated, and it was found that sulfur vacancies on the surface of cadmium sulfide quantum dots could improve charge separation and catalytic performance.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vasilis Nikolaou, Georgios Charalambidis, Kalliopi Ladomenou, Emmanouil Nikoloudakis, Charalambos Drivas, Ioannis Vamvasakis, Stylianos Panagiotakis, Georgios Landrou, Eleni Agapaki, Christina Stangel, Christian Henkel, Jan Joseph, Gerasimos Armatas, Maria Vasilopoulou, Stella Kennou, Dirk M. Guldi, Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
Summary: In this study, a highly efficient photocatalytic system for H-2 production is developed using porphyrins as photocatalysts. Self-organization of PdTCP and PtTCP into H- and J-aggregates on TiO2 NPs is crucial for H-2 evolution, with J-aggregated PtTCPs showing higher efficiency than H-aggregated PdTCPs. The simultaneous adsorption of PdTCP and PtTCP onto TiO2 NPs results in the most efficient catalytic system, achieving high turnover numbers.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pan An, Qinghui Zhang, Zhuang Yang, Jiaxing Wu, Jiaying Zhang, Yajun Wang, Yuming Li, Guiyuan Jiang
Summary: This article reviews the research progress in three solar hydrogen production technologies: photocatalytic, photoelectrocatalytic, and photovoltaic electrocatalytic. It explains the basic principles of these technologies and introduces the key materials in hydrogen production. The article also summarizes the related research on the conversion efficiency of solar to hydrogen (STH) and the stability of materials. Lastly, it discusses the key challenges and future development directions for these three solar hydrogen production technologies.
ACTA CHIMICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nina Fincur, Daniela Sojic Merkulov, Predrag Putnik, Vesna Despotovic, Nemanja Banic, Marina Lazarevic, Dragana Cetojevic-Simin, Jasmina Agbaba, Biljana Abramovic
Summary: This study focused on the degradation of the antidepressant drug AMI under UV or solar illumination using different photocatalysts. ZnO was found to be the most effective catalyst, with the highest reaction rate observed at 1.0 mg/mL loading. The photocatalytic degradation of AMI resulted in a decrease of approximately 30% in total organic carbon after 240 min of irradiation. Toxicity assessments using mammalian cell lines showed that H-4-II-E was the most sensitive to the drug.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriel A. A. Diab, Marcos A. R. da Silva, Guilherme F. S. R. Rocha, Luis F. G. Noleto, Andrea Rogolino, Joao P. de Mesquita, Pablo Jimenez-Calvo, Ivo F. Teixeira
Summary: Green hydrogen is crucial for achieving net zero emissions in the chemical industry. Photocatalysis shows great potential in producing essential commodity chemicals, driven by sunlight and water.
Article
Thermodynamics
Wei Li, Xinyi Luo, Ping Yang, Qiuwang Wang, Min Zeng, Christos N. Markides
Summary: This paper investigates the reaction kinetics of thermochemical sorbents synthesized by the author, focusing on their dehydration and hydration reactions for thermal energy storage. A novel solar building envelope design combining thermochemical energy storage and photocatalysis is proposed for efficient space heating and air purification. Numerical simulations show that the passive building envelope can achieve a total efficiency of around 81% when solar radiation is at 600 W/m(2), providing higher heat harvesting and utilization efficiency in a more compact space.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mariam Barawi, Laura Collado, Miguel Gomez-Mendoza, Freddy E. Oropeza, Marta Liras, Victor A. Pena O'Shea
Summary: The use of organic polymers, particularly conjugated porous polymers (CPPs), in solar energy conversion as photocatalysts shows promising potential due to their improved light harvesting, charge conduction properties, high photochemical stability, and high surface area. Their application in hydrogen evolution and CO2 reduction reactions, as well as their use as photoelectrodes, are reviewed, focusing on their photocatalytic properties. The discussion also touches upon the photophysics related to these applications, and proposes an in situ and operando characterization methodology for future improvements in optoelectronic properties.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Celal Avcoglu, Suna Avcioglu, Maged F. Bekheet, Aleksander Gurlo
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive summary of the progress in solar water splitting using niobium-based photocatalysts and discusses their competitiveness in terms of photocatalytic water splitting activity. The niobium-based semiconductor photocatalysts are categorized into seven groups based on their crystal structures and chemical formulae. The emphasis is on the structure-activity relationship, significant progress, and current strategic trends. Additionally, scientific challenges and promising avenues towards efficient water splitting based on niobium-based photocatalysts are identified and discussed.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zijun Yong, Tianyi Ma
Summary: This article provides a systematic overview of the advances and challenges of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in photocatalytic H2O2 production and offers perspectives and outlooks for future developments in this field.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuri Choi, Sungho Choi, Inhui Lee, Trang Vu Thien Nguyen, Sanghyun Bae, Yong Hwan Kim, Jaegeon Ryu, Soojin Park, Jungki Ryu
Summary: This study presents an approach utilizing earth-abundant and non-toxic photocatalysts for efficient hydrogen production and biomass reforming using solar energy. Si flakes (SiF) are used for efficient light-harvesting, and Ni-coordinated N-doped graphene quantum dots (Ni-NGQDs) enable efficient and stable biomass reforming and hydrogen production. The SiF/Ni-NGQDs demonstrate record-high hydrogen productivity and vanillin yield under simulated sunlight. This strategy provides valuable insights for the practical applications of solar energy and biomass refinement.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Deqi Fan, Yi Lu, Xueling Xu, Yicheng Tang, Hao Zhang, Yan Mi, Xiaofei Yang
Summary: In this study, a novel approach of embedding photocatalytic materials and photothermal components into porous delignified wood is reported for water decontamination, hydrogen generation, and freshwater production. The well-designed all-in-one system effectively interfaces hydrogen-evolving semiconductor CdS with MoSe2, functioning as a co-catalyst and a photothermal agent, to drive the removal of pollutants, hydrogen production, and solar steam generation with high efficiency. The multifunctional system demonstrates a high hydrogen evolution rate and solar evaporation rate with an energy conversion efficiency up to 90.7% under one sun illumination. Encapsulation of photothermal-assisted photocatalytic systems with hydrogels effectively prevents the evaporation of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) without compromising the solar steam generation performance. This study provides new insights into the rational design of novel multi-functional materials for environmental remediation and energy sustainability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vatika Soni, Changlei Xia, Chin Kui Cheng, Van-Huy Nguyen, Dang Le Tri Nguyen, Archana Bajpai, Soo Young Kim, Quyet Van Le, Aftab Aslam Parwaz Khan, Pardeep Singh, Pankaj Raizada
Summary: Photocatalysis is crucial for sustainable O-2 and H-2 evolution, as well as CO2 reduction, but single photoactive semiconductors have limitations such as insufficient surface area and active sites. Earth-abundant cobalt based cocatalysts show great potential in accelerating reaction kinetics on semiconductors, particularly in photocatalysis.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
