Photocatalytic Hydrogen and Oxygen Formation from Water over Ga-modified Zeolite

Water could be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen over Ga-modified ZSM-5 zeolite under UV irradiation. The photocatalytic activity was elevated significantly by supporting the gallium species and was sensitive to the loading amount of gallium species on the ZSM-5 zeolites.     

Enhanced photoactivity of neodymium doped mesoporous titania synthesized through aqueous sol–gel method

Nanosize neodymium doped titania has been prepared by hydrolysis of titanium oxychloride followed by peptisation under acidic condition. The anatase to rutile phase transformation temperature was found to increase by 150 °C as a result of neodymium doping. The doped sample shows 10 times higher surface area than the undoped one after calcining at 700 °C. All the samples calcined at 500, 600 and 700 °C show type IV isotherm, which is characteristic of mesoporous material. The pore size distribution curves also show that the pores are in mesoporous region. Further, the neodymium doped titania shows increased photoactivity than the undoped titania with respect to decomposition of methylene blue when subjected to UV light. The transmission electron micrograph indicates that a nanocrystalline doped titania is obtained through the present method. The effect of neodymium doping on the anatase phase stability, specific surface area and photoactivity are reported.     

A simple method to synthesize N-doped rutile titania with enhanced photocatalytic activity in sunlight

This study demonstrates a simple route for the synthesis of nanocrystalline N doped rutile titania by calcination of acidified TiCl₃ in presence of urea. Urea was used as a source of nitrogen. The N doped rutile titania was yellow in colour and showed excellent photocatalytic activity in sunlight.     

Controllable design of Zn-Ni-P on g-C3N4 for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

Synthesizing a stable and efficient photocatalyst has been the most important research goal up to now. Owing to the dominant performance of g-C₃N₄ (graphitized carbonitride), an ordered assemble of a composite photocatalyst, Zn-Ni-P@g-C₃N₄, was successfully designed and controllably prepared for highly efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution. The electron transport routes were successfully adjusted and the H₂ evolution was greatly improved. The maximum amount of H₂ evolved reached about 531.2 μmol for 5 h over Zn-Ni-P@g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst with a molar ratio of Zn to Ni of 1:3 under illumination of 5 W LED white light (wavelength 420 nm). The H₂ evolution rate was 54.7 times higher than that over pure g-C₃N₄. Moreover, no obvious reduction in the photocatalytic activity was observed even after 4 cycles of H₂ production for 5 h. This synergistically increased effect was confirmed through the results of characterizations such as XRD, TEM, SEM, XPS, N₂ adsorption, UV-vis DRS, transient photocurrent, FT-IR, transient fluorescence, and Mott-Schottky studies. These studies showed that the Zn-Ni-P nanoparticles modified on g-C₃N₄ provide more active sites and improve the efficiency of photogenerated charge separation. In addition, the possible mechanism of photocatalytic H₂ production is proposed.     

The WO3/WS2 nanostructures: Preparation,characterization and optical absorption properties

The WO₃/WS₂ nanostructures were successfully prepared using a two-step hydrothermal/gas phase method. The physical properties of the nanostructures were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–visible spectroscopy. The WO₃/WS₂ nanostructures obtained were coexistence of WO₃ and WS₂ in the same particle. The WO₃/WS₂ nanostructures contained a wide and intensive absorption in the UV–visible light region of 245–750 nm, which showed that the WO₃/WS₂ nanostructures may have a potential application as an UV–visible photocatalyst.     

2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Photocatalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a rising star in the post-graphene era, are fundamentally and technologically intriguing for photocatalysis. Their extraordinary electronic, optical, and chemical properties endow them as promising materials for effectively harvesting light and catalyzing the redox reaction in photocatalysis. Here, we present a tutorial-style review of the field of 2D TMDs for photocatalysis to educate researchers (especially the new-comers), which begins with a brief introduction of the fundamentals of 2D TMDs and photocatalysis along with the synthesis of this type of material, then look deeply into the merits of 2D TMDs as co-catalysts and active photocatalysts, followed by an overview of the challenges and corresponding strategies of 2D TMDs for photocatalysis, and finally look ahead this topic.     

Synthesis of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP)-Based Straight-Shaped Diphosphine Ligands**

[1.1.1]Propellane, which is structurally simple and compact, exhibits promising potential for the synthesis of disubstituted straight-shaped bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) compounds by manipulation of its highly reactive internal C−C bond. BCPs are considered to be isosteres of 1,4-disubstituted benzenes, which have found broad applications in the areas of functional molecules and drug discovery. The internal C−C single bond of [1.1.1]propellane is regarded as a charge-shift bond, which can be readily cleaved by radical means to construct BCPs. We herein report a novel synthetic method for (un)symmetric diphosphines based on the BCP motif, which can be interpreted as isosteres of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzenes. The obtained BCP-diphosphine derivatives were used to generate a straight-shaped Au complex and an Eu-based coordination polymer.     

Organic Polymer Dots Photocatalyze CO2 Reduction in Aqueous Solution

Developing low-cost and efficient photocatalysts to convert CO₂ into valuable fuels is desirable to realize a carbon-neutral society. In this work, we report that polymer dots (Pdots) of poly[(9,9′-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(1,4-benzo-thiadiazole)] (PFBT), without adding any extra co-catalyst, can photocatalyze reduction of CO₂ into CO in aqueous solution, rendering a CO production rate of 57 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ with a detectable selectivity of up to 100 %. After 5 cycles of CO₂ re-purging experiments, no distinct decline in CO amount and reaction rate was observed, indicating the promising photocatalytic stability of PFBT Pdots in the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction. A mechanistic study reveals that photoexcited PFBT Pdots are reduced by sacrificial donor first, then the reduced PFBT Pdots can bind CO₂ and reduce it into CO via their intrinsic active sites. This work highlights the application of organic Pdots for CO₂ reduction in aqueous solution, which therefore provides a strategy to develop highly efficient and environmentally friendly nanoparticulate photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction.     

Criteria for Efficient Photocatalytic Water Splitting Revealed by Studying Carrier Dynamics in a Model Al-doped SrTiO3 Photocatalyst

Overall water splitting (OWS) using semiconductor photocatalysts is a promising method for solar fuel production. Achieving a high quantum efficiency is one of the most important prerequisites for photocatalysts to realize high solar-to-fuel efficiency. In a recent study (Nature 2020 , 58, 411–414), a quantum efficiency of almost 100 % has been achieved in an aluminum-doped strontium titanate (SrTiO₃ : Al) photocatalyst. Herein, using the SrTiO₃ : Al as a model photocatalyst, we reveal the criteria for efficient photocatalytic water splitting by investigating the carrier dynamics through a comprehensive photoluminescence study. It is found that the Al doping suppresses the generation of Ti³⁺ recombination centers in SrTiO₃, the surface band bending facilitates charge separation, and the in situ photo-deposited Rh/Cr₂O₃ and CoOOH co-catalysts render efficient charge extraction. By suppressing photocarrier recombination and establishing a facile charge separation and extraction mechanism, high quantum efficiency can be achieved even on photocatalysts with a very short (sub-ns) intrinsic photocarrier lifetime, challenging the belief that a long carrier lifetime is a fundamental requirement. Our findings could provide guidance on the design of OWS photocatalysts toward more efficient solar-to-fuel conversion.     

Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes on visible-light responsive photocatalyst PbBiO2Br

The layered compound of lead bismuth oxybromide PbBiO₂Br, prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method, has an optical band gap of 2.3 eV, and possesses a good visible-light-response ability. The references, PbBi₂Nb₂O₉, TiO_2−xN_x, BiOBr and BiOI_0.8Cl_0.2, which are excellent visible-light-response photocatalysts, were applied to comparatively understand the activity of PbBiO₂Br. Degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue was used to evaluate photocatalytic activity. The results show that PbBiO₂Br is more photocatalytically active than PbBi₂Nb₂O₉, TiO_2−xN_x and BiOBr under visible light.