Strong-Base-Assisted Synthesis of a Crystalline Covalent Triazine Framework with High Hydrophilicity via Benzylamine Monomer for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Methods to synthesize crystalline covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are limited and little attention has been paid to development of hydrophilic CTFs and photocatalytic overall water splitting. A route to synthesize crystalline and hydrophilic CTF-HUST-A1 with a benzylamine-functionalized monomer is presented. The base reagent used plays an important role in the enhancement of crystallinity and hydrophilicity. CTF-HUST-A1 exhibits good crystallinity, excellent hydrophilicity, and excellent photocatalytic activity in sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (hydrogen evolution rate up to 9200 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹). Photocatalytic overall water splitting is achieved by depositing dual co-catalysts in CTF-HUST-A1, with H₂ evolution and O₂ evolution rates of 25.4 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 12.9 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in pure water without using sacrificial agent.     

Bottom-up Synthesis of Single-Crystalline Poly (Triazine Imide) Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Poly (triazine imide) (PTI/Li⁺Cl⁻), one of the crystalline versions of polymeric carbon nitrides, holds great promise for photocatalytic overall water splitting. In principle, the photocatalytic activity of PTI/Li⁺Cl⁻ is closely related to the morphology, which could be reasonably tailored by the modulation of the polycondensation process. Herein, we demonstrate that the hexagonal prisms of PTI/Li⁺Cl⁻ could be converted to hexagonal nanosheets by adjusting the binary eutectic salts from LiCl/KCl or NaCl/LiCl to ternary LiCl/KCl/NaCl. Results reveal that the extension of in-plane conjugation is preferred, when the polymerisation was performed in the presence of ternary eutectic salts. The hexagonal nanosheets bears longer lifetimes of charge carriers than that of hexagonal prisms due to lower intensity of structure defects and shorter hopping distance of charge carriers along the stacking direction of triazine nanosheets. The optimized hexagonal nanosheets exhibits a record apparent quantum yield value of 25 % (λ=365 nm) for solar hydrogen production by one-step excitation overall water splitting.     

Strong‐Base‐Assisted Synthesis of a Crystalline Covalent Triazine Framework with High Hydrophilicity via Benzylamine Monomer for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Methods to synthesize crystalline covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are limited and little attention has been paid to development of hydrophilic CTFs and photocatalytic overall water splitting. A route to synthesize crystalline and hydrophilic CTF‐HUST‐A1 with a benzylamine‐functionalized monomer is presented. The base reagent used plays an important role in the enhancement of crystallinity and hydrophilicity. CTF‐HUST‐A1 exhibits good crystallinity, excellent hydrophilicity, and excellent photocatalytic activity in sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (hydrogen evolution rate up to 9200 μmol g^?1 h^?1). Photocatalytic overall water splitting is achieved by depositing dual co‐catalysts in CTF‐HUST‐A1, with H₂ evolution and O₂ evolution rates of 25.4 μmol g^?1 h^?1 and 12.9 μmol g^?1 h^?1 in pure water without using sacrificial agent.     

Low Temperature Solvent Evaporation-induced Crystallization Synthesis of Nanocrystalline TiO2 Photocatalyst

A novel and efficient methodology for obtaining highly active photocatalyst of bi-phase TiO2 with small particle size and high specific surface area was developed by solvent evaporation-in-duced crystallization (SEIC) method at low temperature. The prepared TiO2 powder was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and BET surface areas. The photocatalyfic activity was evaluated by the photocatalyflc oxidation of acetone in air. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 powder preDared by this method approached that of Degnssa P25. This may be atotributed to the fact that the predated TiO2 powder had larzer specific surface areas (265 m2. g- 1 ) and smaller crystallite size (about 5 nm), but relatively low crystallinity, as compared with Degussa P25.     

Ionothermal Synthesis of Triazine–Heptazine‐Based Copolymers with Apparent Quantum Yields of 60 % at 420 nm for Solar Hydrogen Production from “Sea Water”

Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN), in either triazine or heptazine form, has been regarded as a promising metal‐free, environmentally benign, and sustainable photocatalyst for solar hydrogen production. However, PCN in most cases only exhibits moderate activity owing to its inherent properties, such as rapid charge carrier recombination. Herein we present a triazine–heptazine copolymer synthesized by simple post‐calcination of PCN in eutectic salts, that is, NaCl/KCl, to modulate the polymerization process and optimize the structure. The construction of an internal triazine–heptazine donor–acceptor (D‐A) heterostructure was affirmed to significantly accelerate interface charge transfer (CT) and thus boost the photocatalytic activity (AQY=60 % at 420 nm). This study highlights the construction of intermolecular D‐A copolymers in NaCl/KCl molten salts with higher melting points but in the absence of lithium to modulate the chemical structure and properties of PCN.     

Effect of Halide Salts of Alkali Metals on Crystallinity of Poly(vinyl Alcohol) Cryogels

The degree of crystallinity of poly(vinyl alcohol) in cryogels obtained by single freezing at–20°С followed by thawing of 13% aqueous solutions of the polymer bearing dissolved NaCl, KCl, CsCl, KBr, and KI in the concentration of 0.7 mol/kg is determined by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. It is established that the addition of NaCl, KCl, and CsCl to the poly(vinyl alcohol) solution leads to a substantial increase (by 1.5–1.7 times) in the degree of crystallinity in the cryogel prepared from this solution. The effect of KCl, KBr, and KI on the degree of crystallinity strongly depends on the salt anion. The replacement of the Cl^– anion by the larger Br^– anion reduces dramatically the crystallizing effect of the salt, while the even larger I^– anion, in contrast, reduces rather than increases the degree of crystallinity relative to that of the cryogel without a salt. The effect of the salts on the crystallinity of poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels is explained by the simultaneous action of two processes. One of them facilitates crystallization and consists in the strengthening of dehydration of poly(vinyl alcohol) owing to competition between the polymer molecules and the salt ions for the liquid water molecules during its freezing. The other process hampers crystallization and is connected with a reduction in the water freezing point under action of the salt ions.     

稀土Ce掺杂对ZnO结构和光催化性能的影响

采用共沉淀-焙烧法合成了一系列不同含量的稀土Ce掺杂的ZnO光催化剂. 利用傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱、粉末X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、光致发光(PL)谱等技术对所制备的光催化剂进行了系列表征. 以酸性橙II脱色降解为模型反应, 考察了掺杂不同含量的铈及不同焙烧温度对ZnO的物理结构和光催化脱色性能的影响. 结果表明: 掺入质量分数(w)为2%的铈可以明显改善氧化锌表面状态, 有利于产生更多的表面羟基; 同时可以抑制光生电子与光生空穴(e^-/h⁺)的复合, 显著提高光催化脱色活性和光催化稳定性; 焙烧温度对光催化剂的晶体结构、表面性能和光催化活性产生较大影响, 500 °C的焙烧处理使样品的结晶度较高, 同时催化剂颗粒粒径较细, 表面具有丰富的羟基. 但过高的焙烧温度(600-800 °C)将导致催化剂的物理结构发生恶化, 降低光催化性能.     

稀土Ce掺杂对ZnO结构和光催化性能的影响

采用共沉淀-焙烧法合成了一系列不同含量的稀土Ce掺杂的ZnO光催化剂. 利用傅里叶变换红外(FT-IR)光谱、粉末X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、光致发光(PL)谱等技术对所制备的光催化剂进行了系列表征. 以酸性橙II脱色降解为模型反应, 考察了掺杂不同含量的铈及不同焙烧温度对ZnO的物理结构和光催化脱色性能的影响. 结果表明: 掺入质量分数(w)为2%的铈可以明显改善氧化锌表面状态, 有利于产生更多的表面羟基; 同时可以抑制光生电子与光生空穴(e^-/h⁺)的复合, 显著提高光催化脱色活性和光催化稳定性; 焙烧温度对光催化剂的晶体结构、表面性能和光催化活性产生较大影响, 500 °C的焙烧处理使样品的结晶度较高, 同时催化剂颗粒粒径较细, 表面具有丰富的羟基. 但过高的焙烧温度(600-800 °C)将导致催化剂的物理结构发生恶化, 降低光催化性能.     

盐酸处理制备高结晶氮化碳及其增强光催化产氢活性（英文）

由于氢气燃烧具有高能量和零污染的优点,氢能一直被认为是解决环境污染和全球能源危机问题的新能源.而光催化剂可以将太阳能转化为氢能,是目前制氢最理想的方式.近年来,研究者们的目光已经转向非金属光催化剂,其中氮化碳光催化剂因其化学稳定性好、成本低和无毒性而备受关注.但是传统的利用含氮前驱体通过热聚合得到的氮化碳呈无定形或半结晶结构,导致其光催化活性很差.而熔盐法制备的结晶氮化碳(CCN)则具有优异的光催化产氢性能.但是,熔盐法得到的CCN依然没达到理想的结晶度.在本文中,我们用盐酸(HCl)洗涤处理熔盐法制备的产物,进一步提高了CCN的结晶度.结果表明,随着盐酸水溶液浓度的增加,制备样品的结晶度增大,在盐酸浓度为0.1 mol/L时,样品结晶度达到最大值.这是因为盐酸水溶液可以去除CCN末端氨基中的一些钾离子,导致聚合位点被释放,所以进一步提高了样品的结晶度.而当盐酸浓度进一步提高到0.2 mol/L时,氮化碳结构因为过高的盐酸浓度被破坏,导致结晶度反而下降.以0.1 mol/L盐酸水溶液处理得到的0.1HCCN样品具有良好的光催化产氢性能,在以三乙醇胺为牺牲剂时,其光催化产氢速率达到683.54μmol h^-1 g^-1,在420 nm处的量子效率为6.6%,光催化产氢速率分别是CCN和块状氮化碳的2倍和10倍.光催化活性的提高主要有两个原因:样品结晶度的提高和钾离子嵌入xHCCN样品的中间层.其中,样品结晶度的提高可以减少样品中的表面缺陷以及破坏结构中的氢键,从而增加了光生载流子的迁移,减少了电子空穴对的复合位点,这都非常有利于光催化反应的进行.而插入到xHCCN中间层的钾也促进了光生电子的转移.这是因为桥连的氮原子(N1)并不会被激发产生光生电子,因此抑制了光生电子在七嗪单元之间的迁移,而插入到xHCCN中间层的K可以增加电子的离域性,延长π共轭体系,从而促进光生电子的转移,进一步提高光催化产氢活性.本研究为熔盐法的进一步发展提供了新的思路.     

Nanoarchitectonics in the Ionothermal Synthesis for Nucleation of Crystalline Potassium Poly (heptazine imide) Towards an Enhanced Solar-Driven H2O2 Production

Solar-driven selective oxygen reduction reaction on polymeric carbon nitride framework is one of the most promising approaches toward sustainable H₂O₂ production. Potassium poly(heptazine imide) (PHI), with regular metal sites in the framework and favorable crystalline structure, is highly active for photocatalytic selective 2e oxygen reduction to produce H₂O₂. By introducing NH₄Cl into the eutectic KCl-LiCl salt mixture, the PHI framework exhibits a remarkable performance for photocatalytic production of H₂O₂, for example, a record high H₂O₂ photo-production rate of 29.5 μmol h⁻¹ mg⁻¹. The efficient photocatalytic performance is attributed to the favorable properties of the new PHI framework, such as improved porosity, negatively shifted LUMO position, enhanced exciton dissociation and charges migration properties. A mechanistic investigation by quenching and electron spin resonance technique reveals the critical role of superoxide radicals for the formation singlet oxygen, and the singlet oxygen is one of the critical intermediates towards the formation of the H₂O₂ by proton extraction from the ethanol.     

形貌可控ZnO微纳米结构的水热合成及光催化性能

以乙醇胺为辅助溶剂,采用水热合成法,制备了花状、梭状和剑状的ZnO微纳米结构。采用扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、光致发光光谱(PL)和拉曼光谱等测试手段对样品的形貌、结构、晶相等进行了表征。结果表明所有样品均为六方纤锌矿结构ZnO;其形貌和结晶度可通过改变物质的量的配比nZn2+/nOH-来调控。探讨了反应物配比对产物形貌结构的影响,乙醇胺对不同形貌ZnO的制备起到至关重要作用。以亚甲基蓝为目标降解物,采用紫外-可见吸收光谱(UV-Vis)并结合低温氮吸附-脱附比表面测试(BET),研究了花状、梭状和剑状ZnO的光催化活性。结果表明,与商用ZnO相比,制备的ZnO具有更好的光催化活性;样品催化活性与其比表面积不成正比,具有最小比表面积的花状ZnO拥有最好的光催化活性,这可能是由于其低的结晶度和特殊的花状形貌所致。     

形貌可控ZnO微纳米结构的水热合成及光催化性能

以乙醇胺为辅助溶剂,采用水热合成法,制备了花状、梭状和剑状的ZnO微纳米结构。采用扫描电镜（SEM）、Ｘ射线衍射（XRD）、光致发光光谱（PL）和拉曼光谱等测试手段对样品的形貌、结构、晶相等进行了表征。结果表明所有样品均为六方纤锌矿结构ZnO;其形貌和结晶度可通过改变物质的量的配比n_Zn²⁺/n_OH^-来调控。探讨了反应物配比对产物形貌结构的影响,乙醇胺对不同形貌ZnO的制备起到至关重要作用。以亚甲基蓝为目标降解物,采用紫外-可见吸收光谱（UV-Vis）并结合低温氮吸附-脱附比表面测试（BET）,研究了花状、梭状和剑状ZnO的光催化活性。结果表明,与商用ZnO相比,制备的ZnO具有更好的光催化活性;样品催化活性与其比表面积不成正比,具有最小比表面积的花状ZnO拥有最好的光催化活性,这可能是由于其低的结晶度和特殊的花状形貌所致。     

Integration of [(Co(bpy)3]2+ Electron Mediator with Heterogeneous Photocatalysts for CO2 Conversion

An efficient chemical system for electron generation and transfer is constructed by the integration of an electron mediator ([Co(bpy)₃]²⁺; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) with semiconductor photocatalysts. The introduction of [Co(bpy)₃]²⁺ remarkably enhances the photocatalytic activity of pristine semiconductor photocatalysts for heterogeneous CO₂ conversion; this is attributable to the acceleration of charge separation. Of particular interest is that the excellent photocatalytic activity of heterogeneous catalysts can be developed as a universal photocatalytic CO₂ reduction system. The present findings clearly demonstrate that the integration of an electron mediator with semiconductors is a feasible process for the design and development of efficient photochemical systems for CO₂ conversion.     

Effect of Cl− anions on photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous ozone over Au @ Ag/TiO2 catalyst

Au core Ag shell composite structure nanoparticles were prepared using a sol method. The Au core Ag shell composite nanoparticles were loaded on TiO₂ nanoparticles as support using a modified powder–sol method, enabling the generation of Au @ Ag/TiO₂ photocatalysts for photocatalytic decomposition and elimination of ozone. The sols were characterized by means of ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) reflection spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The activity of the Au @ Ag/TiO₂ photocatalysts for photocatalytic decomposition and elimination of ozone was evaluated and the effect of Cl^? anions on the photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was highlighted. Results showed that Au @ Ag/TiO₂ prepared via the modified powder–sol route in the presence of an appropriate amount of NaCl solid as demulsifier had better activity in the photocatalytic decomposition and elimination of ozone. At the same time, Au @ Ag/TiO₂ catalysts had better ability to resist poisonous Cl^? anions than conventional Au/TiO₂ catalyst. The reasons could be, first, that NaCl was capable of reducing the concentration of free Ag⁺ by adsorption on the surface of Ag particles forming AgCl and enhancing the formation of Au core Ag shell particles, leading to a better resistance to Cl^? anions of the catalysts, and, second, AgCl took part in the photocatalytic decomposition of ozone together with Au @ Ag/TiO₂ catalysts and had a synergistic effect on the latter, resulting in better photocatalytic activity of Au @ Ag/TiO₂ catalysts.     

Comparison of optical and structural properties of nanostructure TiO2 thin film doped by Sn and Nb

The thin films of TiO₂ doped by Sn or Nb were prepared by sol–gel method under process control. The effects of Sn and Nb doping on the structural, optical and photo-catalytic properties of applied thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) high resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. Surface chemical state of thin films was examined by atomic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD results suggest that adding impurities has a great effect on the crystallinity and particle size of TiO₂. Titania rutile phase formation in thin film was promoted by Sn⁴⁺ addition but was inhibited by Nb⁵⁺ doping. The activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation kinetics of aqueous methylene blue under UV and Visible radiation. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of the Sn-doped TiO₂ thin film have a larger degradation efficiency than Nb-doped TiO₂ under visible light, but under UV light photocatalytic activity of the Nb-doped TiO₂ thin film is better.     

Calcination temperature-dependent morphology of photocatalytic ZnO nanoparticles prepared by an electrochemical–thermal method

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable morphologies were synthesized by a hybrid electrochemical–thermal method at different calcination temperatures without the use of any surfactant or template. The NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and N₂ gas adsorption–desorption studies. The FT-IR spectra of ZnO NPs showed a band at 450 cm^?1, a characteristic of ZnO, which remained fairly unchanged at calcination temperatures even above 300 °C, indicating complete conversion of the precursor to ZnO. The products were thermally stable above 300 °C. The ZnO NPs were present in a hexagonal wurtzite phase and the crystallinity of ZnO increased with an increasing calcination temperature. The ZnO NPs calcined at lower temperature were mesoporous in nature. The surface areas of ZnO NPs calcined at 300 and 400 °C were 51.10 and 40.60 m² g^?1, respectively, which are significantly larger than commercial ZnO nanopowder. Surface diffusion has been found to be the key mechanism of sintering during heating from 300 to 700 °C with the activation energy of sintering as 8.33 kJ mol^?1. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs calcined at different temperatures evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight showed strong dependence on the surface area of ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs with high surface area showed enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

Crystallinity Modulation of Layered Carbon Nitride for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities

As an emerging metal‐free semiconductor, covalently bonded carbon nitride (CN) has attracted much attention in photocatalysis. However, drawbacks such as a high recombination rate of excited electrons and holes hinder its potential applications. Tailoring the crystallinity of semiconductors is an important way to suppress unwanted charge recombination, but has rarely been applied to CN so far. Herein, a simple method to synthesize CN of high crystallinity by protonation of specific intermediate species during conventional polymerization is reported. Interestingly, the as‐obtained CN exhibited improved photocatalytic activities of up to seven times those of the conventional bulk CN. This approach, with only a slight change to the conventional method, provides a facile way to effectively regulate the crystallinity of bulk CN to improve its photocatalytic activities and sheds light on large‐scale industrial applications of CN with high efficiency for sustainable energy.     

钛酸纳米管前驱体水热制备TiO2：水热媒介对结晶度及光催化活性的影响

以钛酸纳米管为先驱体,180℃24 h同一水热条件下,利用H2O、HNO3、KBF4以及HNO3+KBF4的4种水热媒介溶液,制备了高结晶度高光催化活性的TiO2,并研究了水热媒介对TiO2结晶度、表面羟基和光催化活性的影响。通过扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、红外测试(FTIR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、紫外可见漫反射吸收光谱(UV-Vis)进行了结构表征。光催化活性通过降解甲基橙溶液进行了评价。结果表明,与其他3种媒介相比,HNO3+KBF4溶液为水热媒介制备的锐钛矿晶型TiO2,结晶度高,表面羟基含量高,因此,呈现高的光催化活性。     

POM-Incorporated CoO Nanowires for Enhanced Photocatalytic Syngas Production from CO2

Utilizing sustainable energy for chemical activation of small molecules, such as CO₂, to produce important chemical feedstocks is highly desirable. The simultaneous production of CO/H₂ mixture (syngas) from photoreduction of CO₂ and H₂O is highly promising. However, the relationships between structure, composition, crystallinity, and photocatalytic performance are still indistinct. Here, amorphous ultrathin CoO nanowires and polyoxometalate incorporated nanowires with even lower crystallinity were synthesized. The POM-incorporated ultrathin nanowires exhibit high photocatalytic syngas production activity, reaching H₂ and CO evolution rates of 11555 and 4165 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ respectively. Further experiments indicate that the ultrathin morphology and incorporation of POM both contribute to the superior performance. Multiple characterizations reveal the enhanced charge–hole separation efficiency of the catalyst would facilitate the photocatalysis.     

Electron Deficient Monomers that Optimize Nucleation and Enhance the Photocatalytic Redox Activity of Carbon Nitrides

Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) is usually synthesized from nitrogen‐rich monomers such as cyanamide, melamine, and urea, but is rather disordered in many cases. Now, a new allotrope of carbon nitride with internal heterostructures was obtained by co‐condensation of very electron poor monomers (for example, 5‐amino‐tetrazole and nucleobases) in the presence of mild molten salts (for example, NaCl/KCl) to mediate the polymerization kinetics and thus modulate the local structure, charge carrier properties, and most importantly the HOMO and LUMO levels. Results reveal that the as‐prepared NaK‐PHI‐A material shows excellent photo‐redox activities because of a nanometric hetero‐structure which enhances visible light absorption and promotes charge separation in the different domains.