表面组装钴物种同时促进Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S光催化剂的界面电荷分离和表面反应（英文）

利用人工光合成将太阳能转化为化学燃料是太阳能利用的重要途径,具有广阔的应用前景,其中,太阳能光催化分解水制氢是最为关键的反应之一.但是,大多数半导体光催化材料面临着光生电荷分离困难和表面催化反应速率慢等挑战.本文以具有可见光响应的半导体光催化剂Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S(CZS)纳米棒为研究模型,利用水热法成功在其表面上均匀地组装氧化钴物种(CoO_x),构建了多级异质结构CZS@CoO_x.扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜显示,表面组装的CoO_x物种均匀地覆盖在CZS纳米棒的整个表面上,形成了有序的CZS@CoO_x核壳多级异质结构.高分辨率透射电子显微镜进一步确认了氧化钴晶格间距与六方CZS的(002)晶面高度匹配,利于光生电荷在界面的分离和转移.稳态荧光光谱测试表明,与物理混合的样本相比,CZS@CoO_x多级异质结构表现出明显降低的荧光强度,说明多级异质结构能有效促进光生电子-空穴对的分离.时间分辨荧光光谱结果显示,CZS@CoO_x多级异质结构的平均光生电荷寿命明显增长,进一步确认了多级异质结构对光生电荷分离的作用.此外,电化学开路电位测量显示,增强的开路电压响应归因于多级异质结构CZS@CoO_x中致密的界面接触.电化学阻抗谱进一步确认,与没有形成致密界面结构的CZS-CoO_x和CZS/CoO_x相比,多级异质结构CZS@CoO_x的电荷转移电阻大幅度降低,从而确保了更快的界面电荷分离和转移.最后对CZS@CoO_x多级异质结构的光催化产氢活性进行了评价,发现其光催化产氢的性能远高于贵金属Pt/CZS光催化剂;进一步测量了CZS@CoO_x的表观量子效率,在420 nm处光催化产氢的表观量子效率为20%.此外,在多级异质结构CZS@CoO_x上进一步引入Pt助催化剂,可将表观量子效率进一步提升至37%.本文报道的这一简易可行的表面组装构建多级异质结构的策略有望在太阳能光催化领域发挥重要作用.     

新型核壳Ag@AgSeX纳米粒子析氢助剂:原位表面硒化以提升TiO2的光催化产氢活性

纯相光催化材料的产氢性能主要受限于较低的电荷分离效率和缓慢的界面催化反应速率.表面负载助催化剂因其能够实现快速转移光生电子和提供界面催化活性中心被认为是促进电荷分离和提升界面催化反应的有效手段.贵金属类材料,尤其是金属铂(Pt),被认为是光催化产氢领域的理想助剂,但储量低和价格昂贵严重制约了其大规模实际应用.因此,发展低成本的产氢助剂对未来光催化产氢技术的发展至关重要.金属银(Ag)是一种优异的导电金属材料,其高电导率(6.3×10⁷ S m^–1)能够在光催化产氢反应中快速转移光生电子,从而极大地抑制光生电子-空穴对的复合.与金属Pt相比,Ag作为助剂在光催化体系中的析氢活性并不理想,这主要归因于Ag表面缺乏有效的产氢活性位点,使得界面催化产氢反应速率受到极大限制,最终表现出较低的光催化产氢活性.因此,优化Ag表面性质并提供丰富的界面产氢活性位点对于提升Ag助剂的光催化产氢活性具有重要意义.本文采用原位表面/界面工程策略对金属Ag助剂进行改性,以设计高效的Ag修饰光催化材料.首先通过一步光沉积方法制备了Ag纳米粒子修饰的TiO₂光催化材料,然后,将金属Ag纳米粒子表面部分原位硒化为非晶态AgSe_x,成功制备了新型核壳结构Ag@AgSe_x助剂修饰的TiO₂光催化剂(TiO₂/Ag@AgSe_x).X射线衍射、高分辨透射电镜、X射线光电子能谱等表征结果表明,所得结构为Ag@AgSe_x助剂的核壳结构.光催化结果表明,TiO₂/Ag@AgSe_x光催化剂具有比TiO₂和TiO₂/Ag更高的光催化产氢速率,其中TiO₂/Ag@AgSe_x(20μL)表现出最高的光催化产氢速率,是TiO₂/Ag样品的2.4倍.结合原位X射线光电子能谱和密度泛函理论计算结果认为,TiO₂/Ag@AgSe_x光催化剂的高效产氢活性可以归因于金属Ag核和非晶AgSe_x壳的协同机制,即具有优良导电性的金属Ag核可以有效且快速地转移光生电子,而非晶态AgSe_x壳可以提供大量的产氢活性中心,最终实现高效的电荷分离效率和快速的界面催化反应,显著提升TiO₂的光催化产氢活性.综上,本文为构建高效的Ag改性光催化剂以及开发经济高效的太阳能转换助催化剂提供了新的思路.     

FeNi层状双氢氧化物/TiO2复合光催化剂的制备及其制氢性能

层状双氢氧化物(LDH)的光生电子-空穴对易复合,虽然纳米薄片的结构促进了载流子分离,但其光催化效率仍然较低。我们利用LDH薄片结构的优势,将FeNi LDH和TiO₂通过静电自组装复合,设计制备出新型高效的FeNi LDH/TiO₂复合光催化材料,评价了其光催化分解水产氢性能。对其结构、光催化性能和光电化学等进行了详细表征。结果表明,FeNi LDH的高比表面积、复合物的异质结结构都有利于光生电荷的转移。光催化产氢结果表明,FeNi LDH/TiO₂复合材料的产氢速率(22.6mmol·g^-1·h^-1)分别比纯TiO₂(0.1 mmol·g^-1·h^-1)和FeNi LDH(0.05 mmol·g^-1·h^-1)提高了226和452倍,表明了异质结在提高LDH光催化效率方面的重要作用。     

TiO2/石墨烯复合材料的光生电荷分离调控与光催化产氢性能研究

半导体光生电荷分离是光催化过程中的关键步骤之一,其效率极大地影响了最终光催化性能.将TiO₂纳米片与石墨烯复合,能够促进TiO₂中光生电子和空穴的分离,从而提高其光催化活性.为了研究光生电荷的分离对TiO₂/石墨烯复合材料光催化性能的影响,通过调控TiO₂纳米片的尺寸来调节TiO₂/石墨烯复合材料中光生电荷分离的能力,然后研究其对TiO₂/石墨烯复合材料光催化性能的影响.合成了一系列不同厚度的TiO₂纳米片,将其与石墨烯复合,并通过光沉积负载Pt纳米颗粒作为助催化剂,用于光催化产氢.实验结果显示,随着TiO₂纳米片厚度减小,其与石墨烯形成的复合结构的光催化性能显著提高.这主要是由于TiO₂纳米片厚度减小时,光生电子沿厚度方向穿过TiO₂纳米片迁移到石墨烯的距离缩短,从而减少了光生电子在迁移过程中与空穴的复合;同时TiO₂纳米片厚度减小使其比表面积增大,使得TiO₂/石墨烯界面面积增大,从而使石墨烯更好地分离出TiO₂中的光生电子,有更多的光生电子到达石墨烯参与催化反应,提高TiO₂/石墨烯复合材料的光催化性能.此研究表明通过控制TiO₂纳米片的尺寸来调控TiO₂/石墨烯复合材料中光生电子和空穴的分离,是显著提高其光催化性能的有效途径.     

具有定向电荷传递能力的晶态线型聚酰亚胺材料驱动光催化CO2还原(英文)

利用太阳能和半导体催化材料将CO₂还原为具有高附加值的含碳化学品为解决能源危机等问题提供了一个有前景的解决方案.目前半导体光催化CO₂还原的效率仍然很低,这主要是光激发的载流子复合严重等问题导致的.探索有效策略来增强半导体光催化材料光生电荷分离和传输性能被认为是提高CO₂还原效率的关键之一.设计制备具有定向电荷传输性能的光催化材料将有助于抑制光生电荷复合,从而实现高效光催化性能.线型共轭有机聚合物具有直链状结构、明晰和多样的元素组成、良好的水热稳定性等优点在光催化领域受到持续的关注和研究.本文通过均苯四甲酸二酐和二胺单体的缩合反应制备了三例晶态线型共轭聚酰亚胺材料用于光催化CO₂还原.利用粉末X射线衍射、傅里叶红外光谱、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、紫外可见吸收光谱和气体吸附测试等对合成的聚酰亚胺的晶态结构、光吸收性质、形貌结构和孔结构等进行了表征.利用光电化学、电子顺磁共振波普分析、电位分析和密度泛函理论计算等研究了构筑单元的电子推拉效应对聚合物电荷分离及催化性能的影响.结果表明,三种结晶型聚酰...     

高效的CdS/Ti-Fe2O3异质结光阳极:研究Z型电荷迁移机制增强光电化学水氧化活性

近年来以Z型机制为转移的光催化体系成微光电化学分解水领域的研究热点.相比较传统的异质结,Z型异质结能够保留具有高氧化能力与高还原能力的位点,从而提高光电化学效率.其中,证明电荷的Z型迁移机制成为研究人员努力的方向,比较有效的证明方法包括自由基捕获、XPS分析和检测还原位点等.对于Z型异质结,界面电场处电荷的迁移行为是至关重要的,但目前常用的证明手段对界面电场处电荷的迁移行为研究还比较少.因此,本文精心设计了CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃异质结光阳极来探索光电化学分解水中的电荷转移行为.采用开尔文探针测试、表面光电压谱测试和瞬态光电压谱测试等光物理测试手段监测CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃Z型异质结光阳极界面电场中光生电荷的迁移行为.其中,开尔文探针和表面光电压测量表明,CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃界面驱动力有利于激发电子快速迁移至CdS;由于Z型异质结是一个双光子的过程,因此在瞬态光电压的过程中采取了双光束策略,即用不同波长的光分别从两个半导体侧进行照光,以充分发挥内层CdS的电子传输层的作用.结果表明,在双光束照射下界面电场增强,使得更多Ti-Fe₂O₃电子与CdS空穴结合,使得更多Ti-Fe₂O₃电子与CdS空穴结合,更多的空穴迁移到Ti-Fe₂O₃的表面去参与反应,充分证明了CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃光阳极的Z型迁移机制.基于界面电场有效的电荷迁移与分离的分析,对Z型异质结光阳极进行了光电化学的测试,与单纯Ti-Fe₂O₃光阳极相比,CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃光阳极表现出优异的光电化学性能.其中,25CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃光阳极的光电流密度在1.23V(相对于标准氢电极)达到1.94 mA/cm²,比单纯Ti-Fe₂O₃光电流高出两倍.阻抗测试结果表明,CdS/Ti-Fe₂O₃光阳极能够减小电荷传输阻力,从而加快电荷分离效率,这也间接证明了Z型光阳极的成功构筑,因此,本文提供了一个有效且新颖的手段来证明光电化学分解水中光催化系统的Z型电荷转移机制.     

构建低成本的Ni3C/孪晶Zn0.5Cd0.5S异质结/同质结纳米杂化体系来实现高效的光催化分解水产氢

开发低成本的半导体光催化剂以实现可见光下高效、持久的光催化分解水产氢化是一个非常具有挑战性的课题.近年来,具有孪晶结构的ZnxCd1-xS(ZCS)固溶体引起了人们的研究兴趣,这主要是由于孪晶相之间形成了同质结,同质结可以通过提高体相光生电子-空穴对的分离效率,从而提高原始硫化物光催化剂的光催化分解水产氢活性.但由于孪晶ZCS固溶体表面超快载流子复合以及活性位点不足,进一步提高其光催化析氢活性还需解决这些不足.负载助催化剂被认为是加速产氢动力学和促进表面光生电子空穴分离最有效策略之一.因此,我们将低成本的类金属Ni3C助催化剂与孪晶ZCS固溶体通过简单的研磨方法结合来实现高效的可见光催化分解水产氢.合成的Zn0.5Cd0.5S-1%Ni3C(ZCS-1)异质结/同质结最高的可见光光催化分解水产氢速率可达783μmol h–1,是纯ZCS的2.88倍.在420 nm时,ZCS和ZCS-1的表观量子效率分别为6.13%和19.25%.这是由于孪晶ZCS固溶体中闪锌矿段和纤锌矿段的同质结连接可以显著提高光生电子空穴对的体相转移和分离.同时,ZCS与金属Ni3C助催化剂间的异质结可以有效地增加孪晶ZCS固溶体的光捕获及表面载流子分离,增强产氢活性位,从而提高催化活性.本文以乙酸镉、乙酸锌和氢氧化钠为原料合成了CdZn(OH),后者与硫代乙酰胺水热合成了孪晶CZS,并用超声研磨方法合成CZS-Ni3C.在可见光下进行了产氢测试,实验结果证实了优化的ZCS-1在Na2S·9H2O和Na2SO3的水溶液中光催化析氢活性最高.经过4次连续的循环反应,ZCS-1二元复合体系展现出良好的稳定性.为深入探讨高效产氢机制,对纳米级ZCS复合材料的光催化物化性能及载流子分离机制进行了表征.通过X射线衍射确定了ZCS和ZCS-1的晶体结构.用高分辨电子显微镜和X射线光电子能谱证实合成了ZCS和Ni3C助催化剂的成功复合.用紫外-可见漫反射光谱法对制备的ZCS和ZCS-1复合样品的光吸收特性进行了表征.结果表明,在ZCS上负载Ni3C以后,样品的可见光吸收能力显著提升.利用稳态及瞬态荧光光谱研究了ZCS-1光催化剂的电荷载流子复合和转移行为.进一步对纯ZCS和ZCS-1复合光催化剂的瞬态光电流响应(I-t曲线)进行了研究,确定了光生载体的分离效率.阻抗是深入研究电荷载流子迁移和界面转移的最有力技术,利用阻抗技术证实ZCS-1界面高效的载流子分离性能.极化曲线结果表明,加入Ni3C可以降低ZCS的产氢过电势,因此加速表面产氢动力学.由此可见,本文所构建的ZCS同质结与Ni3C助催化剂的协同作用可以明显促进体相及表面光生电子空穴对的分离,从而显著增强光催化分解水产氢活性.该文所采用基于ZCS纳米孪晶与异质助催化剂耦合策略可以作为一种通用策略扩展到各种传统半导体的改性,从而极大地推进高效光催化产氢材料的持续进步.     

碳铂双助催化剂增强CdS空心球光催化产氢性能

利用半导体光催化分解水产氢是将太阳能转换为化学能最有前景的方法之一.在众多的半导体光催化剂中,硫化镉(CdS)不仅具有可见光响应的带隙值(约2.4 eV),而且其导带底和价带顶的能级横跨于水的氧化还原电势两端,能够在可见光照射下分解水产氢,这使得CdS成为一种热门的光催化剂而被广泛研究.然而,单一CdS由于光生电子?空穴对复合速率快、光腐蚀严重等缺点,其光催化产氢活性并不高.为了克服这些缺点,人们探索了多种改性策略,如形貌和结构调控、构建异质结以及负载助催化剂等.负载助催化剂由于可以增强光吸收、促进光生电荷分离以及提供更多活性位点,被认为是一种有效的改性策略.然而,目前大部分的助催化剂都是金属材料,不仅价格昂贵,而且容易对环境造成污染破坏.碳材料因为具有经济环保、导电性能优异、化学稳定性好、光吸收能力和光热效应强等优点,成为一种有望实现太阳能高效综合利用的非金属助催化剂.其中,空心碳球还具有质量轻、比表面积大以及光利用率高等独特优势,吸引了广大科研工作者的注意.本文选取多孔碳空心纳米球(C-HS)作为模板,通过简单的水热法制备了carbon@CdS空心球(C@CdS-HS)复合光催化剂,并将其用于光催化分解水产氢.作为对照,在相同的条件下制备了单一的CdS空心球(CdS-HS).在模拟太阳光照射下并沉积1.0 wt%Pt后,C@CdS-HS/Pt的光催化产氢速率高达20.9 mmol h^?1g^?1(420 nm处的表观量子效率为15.3%),分别是CdS-HS、C@CdS-HS和CdS-HS/Pt的69.7、13.9和3.9倍.通过一系列表征手段,揭示了光生电荷的传输路径,并提出了C@CdS-HS/Pt光催化活性增强的机理,多孔C-HS的引入提高了复合光催化剂的比表面积,增加了反应活性位点;导电性良好的C-HS可以起到贮存和传导光生电子的作用,从而提高光生载流子的分离和传输效率;CdS纳米颗粒原位生长在C-HS表面形成紧密接触的界面,有利于光生电荷在界面间的传输;C-HS吸收红外光产生很强的光热效应,可以使复合光催化剂的表面温度显著升高,在动力学上提高催化剂的产氢速率;C-HS和Pt作为双助催化剂具有明显的协同效应,可以显著提高CdS的光催化产氢活性.     

固溶体内电场调控增强Bi24O31ClxBr10-x体相电荷流动和光催化活性

光催化是一种在能源和环境领域有着重要应用前景的绿色技术,在光照射下可将有机污染物彻底降解为二氧化碳和水,但因缺乏精确调控电荷流动的方法,导致大多数光催化剂活性不高.因此,促进光生电荷的高效分离一直是光催化研究的重要方向.目前多数电荷分离调控研究集中于表面修饰、表面缺陷设计、异质结构建等表面电荷分离改善策略,而对于体相电荷分离调控研究相对较少.卤氧化铋固溶体光催化材料由于独特的层状晶体结构、可调节的带隙结构和优化的电荷分离效率,近年来受到广泛关注.目前对固溶体的体相电荷分离机理尚不清楚.内电场作为一种新的增强光催化反应活性的有效调控途径,通过定向促进体相电荷的分离和转移,使光生载流子快速参与氧化还原反应.然而,通过调控内电场来增强卤氧化铋固溶体光催化活性的报道较少,且缺乏从理论和实验的角度对固溶体内电场大小以及电荷分离机理的分析.本文构建了具有相同形貌和晶体结构的Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl_xBr_10-x固溶体光催化剂,并考察了其催化性能.密度泛函理论计算、开尔文探针力显微镜(KPFM)和Zeta电位测试结果表明,通过改变卤素类型和比例可增加晶体结构单元的不对称性,从而调节[Bi₂₄O₃₁]和[X]层之间的电势差,增强光催化材料的内电场强度,促进体相电荷分离和转移效率,进而提高酚类有机污染物的降解活性.光电化学测试发现,相较于Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl₁₀和Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀,Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl₄Br₆固溶体体相电荷分离效率显著提高,表面和界面上的电荷转移效率以及载流子密度增加.Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl₄Br₆的载流子密度分别是Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl₁₀和Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀的33.1倍和4.7倍,Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl₄Br₆固溶体降解双酚A活性分别是Bi₂₄O₃₁Cl₁₀和Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀的6.21倍和2.71倍.此外,其它酚类的降解实验也证明了光催化活性和内电场强度以及电荷分离效率成正相关.综上所述,本文从内电场的角度揭示了固溶体策略对光催化性能增强的内在机理,这些发现将进一步加深对体相电荷运动行为的理解,为设计高活性光催化剂提供一条新的途径.     

1D/2D TiO2/ZnIn2S4S型异质结光催化剂及其高效制氢性能

通过半导体催化剂利用太阳能分解水制氢被认为是解决人类面临的环境问题和能源危机的有效途径.在众多的半导体光催化剂中,TiO₂由于其良好的光化学稳定性、无毒性、丰富的形貌以及低廉的价格,在光催化制氢领域备受关注.然而TiO₂的内在缺陷,如较宽的带隙、较窄的光响应范围,光生电子空穴对的快速复合,极大限制了其太阳能制氢效率.构建异质结结构被认为是解决以上问题的一个有效方法,通过将TiO₂与另一个半导体复合可以提升催化剂对太阳光的吸收范围,也可降低光生电子空穴对的复合速率.但构建一个成功的异质结结构不仅要满足上述的要求,还需要保留异质结催化剂体系中光生电子和空穴的氧化还原能力.研究表明,S型异质结是将两个具有合适能带结构的半导体进行耦合,由于费米能级的差异,两个半导体间将发生电子转移,从而引起能带弯曲并形成内建电场.光照条件下,具有较弱还原能力的光生电子在内建电场和能带弯曲的作用下与较弱氧化能力的光生空穴复合,实现异质结催化剂体系中各个半导体内部光生载流子有效分离的目标,同时保留了异质结催化剂体系中较强氧化能力和较强还原能力的光生电子和空穴,进而实现光催化活性的提高.本文采用水热合成方法,将具有更强还原能力和可见光响应特性的半导体(ZnIn₂S₄)原位生长在TiO₂纳米纤维表面,构建了1D/2DTiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄S型异质结光催化剂.最优比例的TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄复合材料表现出优越的光催化制氢活性(6.03mmol/h/g),分别是纯TiO₂和纯ZnIn₂S₄制氢活性的3.7倍和2倍.TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄复合材料光催化活性的提高可以归因于紧密的异质结界面、光生载流子的有效分离、丰富的反应活性位点以及增强的光吸收能力.通过原位XPS和DFT计算研究了异质结内部光生电子的转移机制.结果表明,在光照条件下电子由TiO₂向ZnIn₂S₄迁移,遵循了S型异质结内部电子的转移机制,实现了TiO₂和ZnIn₂S₄内部光生载流子的有效分离,同时保留了具有较强还原能力的ZnIn₂S₄价带电子和较强氧化能力的TiO₂导带空穴,从而显著提升光催化制氢效率.综上,本文制备的TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄S型异质结光催化剂很好地克服了TiO₂在光催化制氢领域所面临的诸多障碍,为设计和制备高效异质结光催化剂提供了新的思路.     

用于光催化能量转换的Z-型异质结的研究进展

Inspired by the photosynthesis of green plants, various artificial photosynthetic systems have been proposed to solve the energy shortage and environmental problems. Water photosplitting, carbon dioxide photoreduction, and nitrogen photofixation are the main systems that are used to produce solar fuels such as hydrogen, methane, or ammonia. Although conducting artificial photosynthesis using man-made semiconducting materials is an ideal and potential approach to obtain solar energy, constructing an efficient photosynthetic system capable of producing solar fuels at a scale and cost that can compete with fossil fuels remains challenging. Therefore, exploiting the efficient and low-cost photocatalysts is crucial for boosting the three main photocatalytic processes (light-harvesting, surface/interface catalytic reactions, and charge generation and separation) of artificial photosynthetic systems. Among the various photocatalysts developed, the Z-scheme heterojunction composite system can increase the light-harvesting ability and remarkably suppress charge carrier recombination; it can also promote surface/interface catalytic reactions by preserving the strong reductive/oxidative capacity of the photoexcited electrons/holes, and therefore, it has attracted considerable attention. The continuing progress of Z-scheme nanostructured heterojunctions, which convert solar energy into chemical energy through photocatalytic processes, has witnessed the importance of these heterojunctions in further improving the overall efficiency of photocatalytic reaction systems for producing solar fuels. This review summarizes the progress of Z-scheme heterojunctions as photocatalysts and the advantages of using the direct Z-scheme heterojunctions over the traditional type Ⅱ, all-solid-state Z-schemel, and liquid-phase Z-scheme ones. The basic principle and corresponding mechanism of the two-step excitation are illustrated. In particular, applications of various types of Z-scheme nanostructured materials (inorganic, organic, and inorganic-organic hybrid materials) in photocatalytic energy conversion and different controlling/engineering strategies (such as extending the spectral absorption region, promoting charge transfer/separation and surface chemical modification) for enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency in the last five years are highlighted. Additionally, characterization methods (such as sacrificial reagent experiment, metal loading, radical trapping testing, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photocatalytic reduction experiments, Kelvin probe force microscopy, surface photovoltage spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, and theoretical calculation) of the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism, and the assessment criteria and methods of the photocatalytic performance are discussed. Finally, the challenges associated with Z-scheme heterojunctions and the possible growing trend are presented. We believe that this review will provide a new understanding of the breakthrough direction of photocatalytic performance and provide guidance for designing and constructing novel Z-scheme photocatalysts.      

CuO Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Mesoporous ZnO for Visible‐Light Photocatalysis

How to extend ultraviolet photocatalysts to the visible‐light region is a key challenge for solar‐driven photocatalysis. Herein, we show that ultraviolet ZnO photocatalysts can present high visible‐light photocatalytic activity when combined with CuO quantum dots (QDs; <3 nm). Theoretical analysis demonstrates that the quantum size effect plays a key role in the photoactivity of the CuO/ZnO composite. For CuO QDs smaller than 3 nm, the separated charges could transfer from CuO QDs to the conduction bands of ZnO due to quantum splitting of the CuO energy level and phonon compensation for the difference in the conduction band minimum of CuO and ZnO; however, this process would not occur with the disappearance of the quantum size effect. Further structural analysis demonstrates that interfacial charge separation and transfer between ZnO and CuO dominate the photocatalytic processes instead of a single CuO or ZnO surface. Compared with ZnO? noble metal structures (e.g., ZnO? Ag or ZnO? Au), these ZnO? CuO QD composites present wider absorption bands, higher visible photocatalytic efficiencies, and lower costs.     

光电催化二氧化碳还原研究进展

CO_2是最常见的化合物,作为潜在的碳一资源,可用于制备多种高附加值的化学品,如一氧化碳、甲烷、甲醇、甲酸等。传统的热催化转化CO_2方法能耗高,反应条件苛刻。因此,如何在温和条件下高效地将CO_2转化成高附加值的化学品,一直以来是催化领域的研究热点和难点之一。光催化技术反应条件温和、绿色环保。然而,纯光催化反应普遍存在太阳能利用效率有限,光生载流子分离效率低等问题。针对上述问题,在光催化的基础上引入电催化,可以提高载流子的分离效率,在较低的过电位下,实现多电子、质子向CO_2转移,从而提高催化反应效率。总之,光电催化技术可以结合光催化和电催化的优势,提高CO_2催化还原反应效率,为清洁、绿色利用CO_2提供了一种新方法。本文依据光电催化CO_2还原反应基本过程,从光吸收、载流子分离和界面反应等三个角度综述了光电催化反应的基本强化策略,并对未来可能的研究方向进行了展望。     

光催化制氢研究进展

The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (PHER) has gained much attention as a promising strategy for the generation of clean energy. As opposed to conventional hydrogen evolution strategies (steam methane reforming, electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution, etc.), the PHER is an environmentally friendly and sustainable method for converting solar energy into H₂ energy. However, the PHER remains unsuitable for industrial applications because of efficiency losses in three critical steps: light absorption, carrier separation, and surface reaction. In the past four decades, the processes responsible for these efficiency losses have been extensively studied. First, light absorption is the principal factor deciding the performance of most photocatalysts, and it is closely related to band-gap structure of photocatalysts. However, most of the existing photocatalysts have a wide bandgap, indicating a narrow light absorption range, which restricts the photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, searching for novel semiconductors with a narrow bandgap and broadening the light absorption range of known photocatalysts is an important research direction. Second, only the photogenerated electrons and holes that migrate to the photocatalyst surface can participate in the reaction with H₂O, whereas most of the photogenerated electrons and holes readily recombine with one another in the bulk phase of the photocatalysts. Hence, tremendous effort has been undertaken to shorten the charge transfer distance and enhance the electric conductivity of photocatalysts for improving the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Third, the surface redox reaction is also an important process. Because water oxidation is a four-electron process, sluggish O₂ evolution is the bottleneck in photocatalytic water splitting. The unreacted holes can easily recombine with electrons. Sacrificial agents are widely used in most catalytic systems to suppress charge carrier recombination by scavenging the photogenerated holes. Moreover, the low H₂ evolution efficiency of most photocatalysts has encouraged researchers to introduce highly active sites on the photocatalyst surface. Based on the abovementioned three steps, multifarious strategies have been applied to modulate the physicochemical properties of semiconductor photocatalysts with the aim of improving the light absorption efficiency, suppressing carrier recombination, and accelerating the kinetics of surface reactions. The strategies include defect generation, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), element doping, heterojunction fabrication, and cocatalyst loading. An in-depth study of these strategies provides guidance for the design of efficient photocatalysts. In this review, we focus on the mechanism and application of these strategies for optimizing light absorption, carrier separation and transport, and surface reactions. Furthermore, we provide a critical view on the promising trends toward the construction of advanced catalysts for H₂ evolution.     

Titanium Phosphonate Based Metal–Organic Frameworks with Hierarchical Porosity for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen production is crucial for solar‐to‐chemical conversion process, wherein high‐efficiency photocatalysts lie in the heart of this area. A photocatalyst of hierarchically mesoporous titanium phosphonate based metal–organic frameworks, featuring well‐structured spheres, a periodic mesostructure, and large secondary mesoporosity, are rationally designed with the complex of polyelectrolyte and cathodic surfactant serving as the template. The well‐structured hierarchical porosity and homogeneously incorporated phosphonate groups can favor the mass transfer and strong optical absorption during the photocatalytic reactions. Correspondingly, the titanium phosphonates exhibit significantly improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate along with impressive stability. This work can provide more insights into designing advanced photocatalysts for energy conversion and render a tunable platform in photoelectrochemistry.     

A Hydrogen Farm Strategy for Scalable Solar Hydrogen Production with Particulate Photocatalysts

Scalable solar hydrogen production by water splitting using particulate photocatalysts is promising for renewable energy utilization. However, photocatalytic overall water splitting is challenging owing to slow water oxidation kinetics, severe reverse reaction, and H₂/O₂ gas separation. Herein, mimicking nature photosynthesis, a practically feasible approach named Hydrogen Farm Project (HFP) is presented, which is composed of solar energy capturing and hydrogen production subsystems integrated by a shuttle ion loop, Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺. Well‐defined BiVO₄ crystals with precisely tuned {110}/{010} facets are ideal photocatalysts to realize the HFP, giving up to 71 % quantum efficiency for photocatalytic water oxidation and full forward reaction with nearly no reverse reaction. An overall solar‐to‐chemical efficiency over 1.9 % and a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency exceeding 1.8 % could be achieved. Furthermore, a scalable HFP panel for solar energy storage was demonstrated under sunlight outdoors.     

Surface‐Polarity‐Induced Spatial Charge Separation Boosts Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting on GaN Nanorod Arrays

Photocatalytic overall water splitting has been recognized as a promising approach to convert solar energy into hydrogen. However, most of the photocatalysts suffer from low efficiencies mainly because of poor charge separation. Herein, taking a model semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) as an example, we uncovered that photogenerated electrons and holes can be spatially separated to the nonpolar and polar surfaces of GaN nanorod arrays, which is presumably ascribed to the different surface band bending induced by the surface polarity. The photogenerated charge separation efficiency of GaN can be enhanced significantly from about 8 % to more than 80 % via co‐exposing polar and nonpolar surfaces. Furthermore, spatially assembling reduction and oxidation cocatalysts on the nonpolar and polar surfaces remarkably boosts photocatalytic overall water splitting, with the quantum efficiency increased from 0.9 % for the film photocatalyst to 6.9 % for the nanorod arrays photocatalyst.     

Surface-Polarity-Induced Spatial Charge Separation Boosts Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting on GaN Nanorod Arrays

Photocatalytic overall water splitting has been recognized as a promising approach to convert solar energy into hydrogen. However, most of the photocatalysts suffer from low efficiencies mainly because of poor charge separation. Herein, taking a model semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) as an example, we uncovered that photogenerated electrons and holes can be spatially separated to the nonpolar and polar surfaces of GaN nanorod arrays, which is presumably ascribed to the different surface band bending induced by the surface polarity. The photogenerated charge separation efficiency of GaN can be enhanced significantly from about 8 % to more than 80 % via co-exposing polar and nonpolar surfaces. Furthermore, spatially assembling reduction and oxidation cocatalysts on the nonpolar and polar surfaces remarkably boosts photocatalytic overall water splitting, with the quantum efficiency increased from 0.9 % for the film photocatalyst to 6.9 % for the nanorod arrays photocatalyst.     

Colloidal hybrid heterostructures based on II–VI semiconductor nanocrystals for photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Hydrogen generated through the photochemical cleavage of water using renewable solar energy is considered to be an environmentally friendly chemical fuel of the future, which neither results in air pollution nor leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. The photocatalytic materials for water cleavage are required to perform at least two fundamental functions: light harvesting of the maximal possible part of the solar energy spectrum and a catalytic function for efficient water decomposition into oxygen and hydrogen. Photocatalytic systems based on colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals offer a number of advantages in comparison with photoelectrochemical cells based on bulk electrodes: (i) a broad range of material types are available; (ii) higher efficiencies are expected due to short distance charge transport; (iii) large surface areas are beneficial for the catalytic processes; (iv) flexibility in fabrication and design which also allows for tuning of the electronic and optical properties by employing quantum confinement effects. The presence of co-catalysts on colloidal semiconductors is an important part of the overall design of the photocatalytic colloidal systems necessary to maximize the water splitting efficiency. This review article discusses the rational choice of colloidal nanoheterostructured materials based on light-harvesting II–VI semiconductor nanocrystals combined with a variety of metal and/or non-metal co-catalysts, with optimized light harvesting, charge separation, and photocatalytic functions.     

Rational Design and Application of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Solar Fuel Production

Harnessing solar energy and converting it into renewable fuels by chemical processes, such as water splitting and carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction, is a highly promising yet challenging strategy to mitigate the effects arising from the global energy crisis and serious environmental concerns. In recent years, covalent organic framework (COF)-based materials have gained substantial research interest because of their diversified architecture, tunable composition, large surface area, and high thermal and chemical stability. Their tunable band structure and significant light absorption with higher charge separation efficiency of photoinduced carriers make them suitable candidates for photocatalytic applications in hydrogen (H₂) generation, CO₂ conversion, and various organic transformation reactions. In this article, we describe the recent progress in the topology design and synthesis method of COF-based nanomaterials by elucidating the structure-property correlations for photocatalytic hydrogen generation and CO₂ reduction applications. The effect of using various kinds of 2D and 3D COFs and strategies to control the morphology and enhance the photocatalytic activity is also summarized. Finally, the key challenges and perspectives in the field are highlighted for the future development of highly efficient COF-based photocatalysts.