FeOCl/POM Heterojunctions with Excellent Fenton Catalytic Performance via Different Mechanisms

To enhance the Fenton catalytic performance in a neutral solution under indoor sunlight, a novel FeOCl/polyoxometalate (POM) (FeOCl/POM-W and FeOCl/POM-Mo) composite was successfully synthesized for the first time, which shows significantly improved Fenton catalytic activity and stability for phenol degradation compared with FeOCl. Furthermore, the degradation constants ( k) of FeOCl/POM-Mo (0.08 min^-1) and FeOCl/POM-W (0.06 min^-1) are a factor of 4 and 3 times greater than that of FeOCl (0.02 min^-1), respectively. The enhanced catalytic activity is attributed to the formation of FeOCl/POM heterojunctions, which results in efficient separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and electron transfer from POM to FeOCl. Density functional theory calculations indicate a strong interface interaction of Fe-O-Mo and Fe-O-W in the FeOCl/POM heterojunctions. A Z-scheme mechanism for FeOCl/POM-Mo and a double-transfer mechanism for FeOCl/POM-W are proposed for the enhanced catalytic performance. This study sheds new light on the design and fabrication of high-performance photo-Fenton catalysts to overcome the environmental crisis.

2D/2D FeOCl/graphite oxide heterojunction with enhanced catalytic performance as a photo-Fenton catalyst

A novel 2D/2D FeOCl/graphite oxide heterojunction has been successfully prepared for the first time and shows remarkable enhanced photo-Fenton catalytic activity and stability.

TiO2/TiN core/shell nanobelts for efficient solar hydrogen generation

TiO₂/TiN core/shell NBs are successfully synthesized, and used as highly efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution catalysts (120 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) from methanol solution.

Excellent photocatalytic degradation and disinfection performance of a novel bifunctional Ag@AgSCN nanostructure with exposed {−112} facets

A novel bifunctional Ag@AgSCN nanostructure with excellent photocatalytic degradation and antimicrobial performance has been successfully prepared by a simple precipitation method.

Efficient Solar Light Harvesting CdS/Co9 S8 Hollow Cubes for Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Hollow structures with an efficient light harvesting and tunable interior component offer great advantages for constructing a Z-scheme system. Controlled design of hollow cobalt sulfide (Co₉ S₈ ) cubes embedded with cadmium sulfide quantum dots (QDs) is described, using hollow Co(OH)₂ as the template and a one-pot hydrothermal strategy. The hollow CdS/Co₉ S₈ cubes utilize multiple reflections of light in the cubic structure to achieve enhanced photocatalytic activity. Importantly, the photoexcited charge carriers can be effectively separated by the construction of a redox-mediator-free Z-scheme system. The hydrogen evolution rate over hollow CdS/Co₉ S₈ is 134 and 9.1 times higher than that of pure hollow Co₉ S₈ and CdS QDs under simulated solar light irradiation, respectively. Moreover, this is the first report describing construction of a hollow Co₉ S₈ based Z-scheme system for photocatalytic water splitting, which gives full play to the advantages of light-harvesting and charges separation.

Aligned metal oxide nanotube arrays: key-aspects of anodic TiO2 nanotube formation and properties

Over the past ten years, self-aligned TiO₂ nanotubes have attracted tremendous scientific and technological interest due to their anticipated impact on energy conversion, environment remediation and biocompatibility. In the present manuscript, we review fundamental principles that govern the self-organized initiation of anodic TiO₂ nanotubes. We start with the fundamental question: why is self-organization taking place? We illustrate the inherent key mechanistic aspects that lead to tube growth in various different morphologies, such as ripple-walled tubes, smooth tubes, stacks and bamboo-type tubes, and importantly the formation of double-walled TiO₂ nanotubes versus single-walled tubes, and the drastic difference in their physical and chemical properties. We show how both double- and single-walled tube layers can be detached from the metallic substrate and exploited for the preparation of robust self-standing membranes. Finally, we show how by selecting specific growth approaches to TiO₂ nanotubes desired functional features can be significantly improved, e.g., enhanced electron mobility, intrinsic doping, or crystallization into pure anatase at high temperatures can be achieved. Finally, we briefly outline the impact of property, modifications and morphology on functional uses of self-organized nanotubes for most important applications.