Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaonan Yang, Liteng Ren, Daochuan Jiang, Lisha Yin, Zhongjun Li, Yupeng Yuan
Summary: This study presents a trifunctional Schottky junction at metal-photocatalyst heterointerfaces, which effectively enhances the performance of photocatalysts for hydrogen production under visible light. The Schottky junction, involving chemically stabilized ultrafine platinum nanoparticles on graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets, promotes efficient interfacial charge transfer and prevents aggregation of the nanoparticles during photocatalytic reactions. The results demonstrate an over 11-fold enhancement in visible light H2 production compared to the control sample. These findings highlight the potential for developing high-efficiency photocatalysts through strong metal-semiconductor electronic interactions.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yangjie Fu, Youran Xu, Yanjie Mao, Meng Tan, Qin He, Huixiu Mao, Hao Du, Derek Hao, Qi Wang
Summary: Environmental issues caused by pollutants have gained significant attention. Designing S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts, with the assistance of noble metal nanoparticles, can enhance charge transport and achieve efficient wastewater treatment.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kangning Liu, Rui Cui, Zhendong Liu, Shuangquan Yao, Shaolong Sun, Jiliang Ma, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: In this study, an S-doped biochar-supported CuInS2 quantum dot-sensitized Bi2MoO6 hierarchical flower (CIS@BMO@SL) was prepared using a bottom-up technique. The dual heterojunction of CuInS2/Bi2MoO6 Z-scheme and Bi/Bi2MoO6 Mott-Schottky heterojunction in CIS@BMO@SL significantly improved the electronic kinetics and reduced the charge transfer resistance. Under visible light irradiation, CIS@BMO@SL achieved an exceptional xylonic acid yield of 86.59%.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Song-Song Cui, Xuan Liu, Yin-Biao Shi, Ming-Ye Ding, Xiao-Fei Yang
Summary: By in situ growing a photocatalyst onto a two-dimensional MXene, a highly efficient charge separation and transfer was achieved. The photocatalytic degradation rate of the Bi12O17Cl2/Ti3C2 hybrid was found to be 9.7 times higher than that of bare Bi12O17Cl2 nanosheets.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yunfei Yang, Enlai Hu, Yuting Zhu, Wen Cao, Jing Zhang, Zhiyu Mao, Xuehui Gao, Zhongwei Chen
Summary: A flexible self-supporting film consisting of Cu2O/Cu heterojunction with a gradient distribution and a three-dimensional carbon nanotube network was developed to address the issues of Li dendrites and volume fluctuation in Li metal anodes. The film achieves bottom-up deposition of Li and accelerates electron transfer and Li+ migration through the physicochemical bidirectional regulation. The research provides practical ideas for the subsequent design of lithium metal anodes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pei Qiu, Yong Zhang, Gang Cheng
Summary: Solar-to-hydrogen production has great potential in addressing energy and environmental crises. This study successfully prepared Cu@TiO2 hybrid photocatalysts, which exhibited improved hydrogen production performance. The Cu@TiO2-10% hybrid showed the highest hydrogen evolution rate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jun Yang, Quanxi Zhu, Zhigang Xie, Yajing Wang, Jiankang Wang, Yuan Peng, Yingying Fang, Lihua Deng, Taiping Xie, Longjun Xu
Summary: By incorporating Ti3C2 into MoS2, the absorption range was extended and the separation efficiency was improved, showing excellent photocatalytic performance, especially under visible light.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pei Qiu, Jinyan Xiong, Mengjie Lu, Lijun Liu, Wei Li, Zhipan Wen, Weijie Li, Rong Chen, Gang Cheng
Summary: This study presents the design of a novel Cu@TiO2-Cu2O hybrid catalyst with multiple charge transfer channels for efficient solar-to-hydrogen evolution. The experimental results demonstrate that the photocatalytic hydrogen generation of this hybrid catalyst is significantly enhanced.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shijie Shen, Huanhuan Zhang, Aijiao Xu, YuYi Zhao, Zhiping Lin, Zongpeng Wang, Wenwu Zhong, Shangshen Feng
Summary: By growing NiSe2 nanosheets on the surface of BiVO4 to construct a Schottky junction, forming a built-in electric field and increasing visible light absorption, the photocatalytic performance was significantly improved, leading to an 11-fold increase in the degradation rate of RhB.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Mengmeng Bai, Yanqing Zhao, Shuting Xu, Tao Tang, Yao Guo
Summary: An alternative mechanism for THz current rectification is proposed, based on asymmetric bias-induced barrier lowering in common semiconductors. Geometric diodes, utilizing geometric asymmetry, demonstrate robust current rectification ability.
COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrei Stefancu, Seunghoon Lee, Li Zhu, Min Liu, Raluca Ciceo Lucacel, Emiliano Cortes, Nicolae Leopold
Summary: This study highlights a new metal-molecule charge transfer process by tuning the Fermi energy of plasmonic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in situ. The strong adsorption of halide ions upshifts the Fermi level of AgNPs, promoting spontaneous charge transfer to molecular acceptor orbitals. The catalytic role of halide ions in plasmonic nanostructures depends on their surface affinity compared to the target molecule, providing new insights into the interaction mechanisms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi-Wen Han, Lei Ye, Tian-Jun Gong, Yao Fu
Summary: This study successfully achieved photocatalytic dehydrogenation-reductive amination of biomass-derived amino acid production using a three-dimensional hierarchical photocatalyst, which exhibited high activity and selectivity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shi-Xian Guan, Tao Xu, Jian-Yong Zhang, You-Guo Luo, Xingwu Zhai, Na Zhang, Yong-Zheng Fang, Qin-Fei Ke
Summary: In this study, a multimodal antibacterial nanoplatform was developed by utilizing a synergistic effect of knife-effect, photothermal properties, photocatalytic induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inherent attributes of Cu2+. The nanoplatform showed excellent antibacterial properties against S. aureus and E. coli in vitro under near-infrared (NIR) light, with efficiencies of 99.94% and 99.97%, respectively. It also exhibited outstanding curing capacity and good biocompatibility in wound healing of Kunming mice. The formation of a self-assembled 2D/2D interfacial Schottky junction facilitated the acceleration of photogenerated charges mobility, inhibition of charge recombination, and enhancement of photothermal/photocatalytic activity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dandan Chen, Yan Li, Haiyan Xu, Aiguo Wang, Kaiwei Liu
Summary: This work synthesizes defect-rich nanocomposites and achieves efficient photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, providing guidance for designing high-efficiency photocatalysts with interfacial charge transfer heterostructures.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Lijarani Biswal, Ritik Mohanty, Susanginee Nayak, Kulamani Parida
Summary: MXenes have gained significant research attention in the field of photocatalysis due to their structure characteristics, serving as modifiers for TiO2 to enhance photocatalytic activity. TiO2, as a photocatalyst, exhibits excellent activity and availability but has drawbacks such as wide band gap and rapid recombination of photoinduced charge carriers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Ziwei Ye, Zehong Xu, Wenhui Yue, Xinyu Liu, Lingzhi Wang, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: This article summarizes recent advances in the development of plasmonic metal-semiconductor photocatalysts for improving the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. It highlights four localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) driven mechanisms by which plasmonic metal nanoparticles can enhance HER activity. The principles for maximizing the contribution of these mechanisms are also emphasized for future design of plasmonic metal-semiconductor photocatalysts with enhanced HER activity.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pengyu Dong, Ting Cheng, Jin-long Zhang, Jinhui Jiang, Lei Zhang, Xinguo Xi, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: This study successfully prepared an organic-inorganic hybrid TpPa-1-COF/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction with well-matched S-scheme interfacial charge-transfer channels. The optimized COF/ZIS-20% exhibited a photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of up to 853 smol g-1 h-1, 6.2 times higher than that of bare TpPa-1-COF under visible light. The presence of interfacial charge transfers and the creation of a tuned built-in electric field were demonstrated through experiments and theoretical calculations, promoting directional S-scheme charge transfer and enhancing photocatalytic H2 evolution.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lingang Yang, Shumin Shen, Jie Zhu, Yuqing Zhang, Yuting Lin, Jiamin Wang, Feifei Tao, Lingzhi Wang, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: The creation of yolk-shell nanoparticles (YS NPs) with a movable core and periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) shell has been simplified using a self-template strategy. A ratiometric Cu2+ fluorescence sensor is created by incorporating a silver nanocore into the YS NP (Ag-PMO-YS), driven by the like dissolves like principle. Due to the coordination of Cu2+ and its ligands and their impact on the emission of fluorescein derivatives, this sensor system demonstrates extraordinary detection sensitivity to Cu2+ (10-7 M), strengthened by the movable Ag nanocore's metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) effect.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zehong Xu, Wenhui Yue, Chunchun Li, Lingzhi Wang, Yikai Xu, Ziwei Ye, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: Incorporating plasmonic metal nanomaterials into semiconductor photocatalysts enhances their visible light response through localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) mechanisms. However, the presence of surfactants on the surfaces of plasmonic metal nanomaterials hinders their cocatalyst functionalities for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. This study demonstrates a surfactant-free method to assemble Au nanoparticles (NPs) into Au colloidosomes (AuCSs), which can act as efficient cocatalysts when coupled with CdS to form Au-CdS composite photocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pengyu Dong, Chengqi Meng, Yan Yan, Beibei Zhang, Wuyou Wang, Xinguo Xi, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: By combining the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of metallic Ag and the chemically reactive Pt co-catalyst, a Ag-Pt bimetallic composite was coated on exfoliated defective graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (C3N.NS) for plasmon hot electron-mediated photocatalytic H2 evolution. The (1:2) Ag-Pt/C3N.NS sample showed the highest activity (1.25 mmol g-1 h-1) under visible light irradiation, which was 35.7 and 1.7 times higher than that of Ag/C3NX NS and Pt/C3NX NS, respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of (1:2) Ag-Pt/C3NX NS reached 3.3% at 420 nm. The boosted photocatalytic capacity was attributed to the advantages of the LSPR effect of Ag particles and the Schottky barrier between Pt and C3NX NS, resulting in more electrons participating in the reduction reaction to enhance the photocatalytic H2 evolution performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Chencheng Dong, Qiuying Yi, Wenzhang Fang, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: This review focuses on the deliberate analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT). It provides specific definitions of ROS and PDT and discusses the fundamental principles and applications of PDT. The strong oxidation ability of radicals and non-radicals in ROS enables them to attack tumor cells and achieve the goal of cancer treatment. Furthermore, the review thoroughly examines the mechanism, photosensitizer (PS) selection, challenges, research gap, and prospects of ROS in cancer treatment.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY C-PHOTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zesheng Deng, Jiazhen Cao, Songchang Hu, Shiqun Wu, Mingyang Xing, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: A generic approach using carbon spheres as templates to construct transition metal oxides with multishelled hollow structures is reported. A high CO production was achieved on CdS/Au/ZnCrO4 without using any sacrificial agents, which was significantly higher than that of CdS and ZnCrO4. This work provides a method for promoting CO2 photoreduction through structure regulation and heterojunction construction.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yujie Liu, Muhammad Tayyab, Wenkai Pei, Liang Zhou, Juying Lei, Lingzhi Wang, Yongdi Liu, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: Traditional defect engineering and doping strategies are commonly used to enhance H-2 evolution, but their uncontrollability may not always result in efficient activity. This study presents a defect-induced heteroatom refilling strategy to synthesize carbon nitrides with controlled heteroatom introduction on efficient N1 sites. The refilling of B, P, and S sites shows stronger H2O adsorption and dissociation capacity compared to traditional doping, making it an optimal pathway for H-2 production. The heteroatom-refilled catalysts exhibit a high internal electric field strength, enabling fast electron transfer and achieving a hydrogen production rate of up to 20.9 mmol g(-1) h(-1). This work provides insights into controlled defect engineering of photocatalysts and offers a universal modification strategy for heteroatoms and co-catalyst systems in H-2 production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiguo Liu, Ziyu Chen, Mingyang Li, Jiaying Li, Weijie Zhuang, Xiao Yang, Shiqun Wu, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: In this study, a Ni single-atom-immobilized hierarchical porous ZIF-8 catalyst is successfully constructed for efficient CO2 photoreduction to CO. The hierarchical porous structure enables rapid mass transport and strong adsorption of CO2, while the Ni single atoms act as active sites to optimize the reaction energy. This work highlights the significance of constructing a hierarchical porous structure and single-atom-active sites to improve the activity and selectivity of CO2 photoreduction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiaohong Zhu, Zesheng Deng, Haijiao Xie, Mingyang Xing, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: Achieving carbon neutralization by CO2 photoreduction (CO2PR) has attracted extensive attention, but limited selectivity and harsh reaction conditions hinder its practical application. In this study, the authors introduced ammonia borane (AB) as mild proton-electron pair donors to realize synergistic hydrogen evolution and selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction to formic acid. Promising results were obtained, and the use of AB as a *H donor showed potential in accelerating the selective generation of formic acid. Furthermore, other similar *H donors also exhibited good performance, providing guidance for the design of high-performance CO2PR systems in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyu Liu, Ziwei Ye, Qian Xiang, Zehong Xu, Wenhui Yue, Chunchun Li, Yikai Xu, Lingzhi Wang, Xiaoming Cao, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique used in various research fields. Semiconductor SERS substrates, as alternatives to plasmonic metal substrates, have attractive attributes. However, they can only enhance the signals of analytes chemically adsorbed on their surface. In this study, we demonstrate the detection of non-adsorbing analytes on ZnO nanoparticles by coating them with ZIF-8 shells, which significantly enhances their electromagnetic enhancing capability and enables the detection of a wider range of non-adsorbing analytes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengxuan He, Shiqun Wu, Qixin Li, Mingyang Li, Jiaying Li, Lingzhi Wang, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: A Ru single-atom-modified hierarchical porous TiO2-SiO2 catalyst was reported for photocatalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM), showing remarkable activity and durability under mild conditions. The catalyst provided matched active sites for CH4 and CO2 adsorption and activation, optimizing the reaction route for inhibiting side reactions and promoting effective C-O coupling.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Miao Kan, Meng Tao, Weijie Zhuang, Shiqun Wu, Ziwei Ye, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: Microplastics are a widespread contaminant that poses threats to the environment and human safety. Upgrading plastic waste to high-value-added fuels is gaining attention due to the high energy storage potential of the C-C and C-H bonds in microplastics. Aqueous photocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach for upgrading microplastics, but a comprehensive understanding of the entire process is needed to enhance efficiency and selectivity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mingyang Li, Chengxuan He, Xiao Yang, Zhiguo Liu, Jiaying Li, Lingzhi Wang, Shiqun Wu, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: Selective production of methane from CO2 photoreduction is achieved by modifying Co3O4 with Sn single atoms. The Sn single atoms serve as water dissociation sites, accelerating proton production and reducing the energy barrier of the rate-determining step.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaying Li, Chengxuan He, Jinlong Wang, Xiaoyi Gu, Zehan Zhang, Huizi Li, Mingyang Li, Lingzhi Wang, Shiqun Wu, Jinlong Zhang
Summary: The synthesis of g-C3N4 with carbon vacancy and oxygen doping (Vc-OCN) was successfully achieved through a facile method. The incorporation of Vc and oxygen doping led to enhanced optical absorption and charge separation, resulting in improved CO2 reduction efficiency.
