1
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Silva IF, Pulignani C, Odutola J, Galushchinskiy A, Texeira IF, Isaacs M, Mesa CA, Scoppola E, These A, Badamdorj B, Ángel Muñoz-Márquez M, Zizak I, Palgrave R, Tarakina NV, Gimenez S, Brabec C, Bachmann J, Cortes E, Tkachenko N, Savateev O, Jiménez-Calvo P. Enhancing deep visible-light photoelectrocatalysis with a single solid-state synthesis: Carbon nitride/TiO 2 heterointerface. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 678:518-533. [PMID: 39260300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Visible-light responsive, stable, and abundant absorbers are required for the rapid integration of green, clean, and renewable technologies in a circular economy. Photoactive solid-solid heterojunctions enable multiple charge pathways, inhibiting recombination through efficient charge transfer across the interface. This study spotlights the physico-chemical synergy between titanium dioxide (TiO2) anatase and carbon nitride (CN) to form a hybrid material. The CN(10%)-TiO2(90%) hybrid outperforms TiO2 and CN references and literature homologs in four photo and photoelectrocatalytic reactions. CN-TiO2 achieved a four-fold increase in benzylamine conversion, with photooxidation conversion rates of 51, 97, and 100 % at 625, 535, and 465 nm, respectively. The associated energy transfer mechanism was elucidated. In photoelectrochemistry, CN-TiO2 exhibited 23 % photoactivity of the full-spectrum measurement when using a 410 nm filter. Our findings demonstrate that CN-TiO2 displayed a band gap of 2.9 eV, evidencing TiO2 photosensitization attributed to enhanced charge transfer at the heterointerface boundaries via staggered heterojunction type II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid F Silva
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Carolina Pulignani
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jokotadeola Odutola
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, 33101 Finland
| | - Alexey Galushchinskiy
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ivo F Texeira
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Mark Isaacs
- HarwellXPS, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Lab, Didcot OX11 0FA, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gower Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Camilo A Mesa
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), University Jaume I, 12006 Castello de la Plana, Spain
| | - Ernesto Scoppola
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Albert These
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Paul-Gordan-Str. 6, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bolortuya Badamdorj
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Miguel Ángel Muñoz-Márquez
- Chemistry Division, School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, Italy
| | - Ivo Zizak
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Palgrave
- HarwellXPS, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Lab, Didcot OX11 0FA, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gower Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Nadezda V Tarakina
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sixto Gimenez
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), University Jaume I, 12006 Castello de la Plana, Spain
| | - Christoph Brabec
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julien Bachmann
- Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Emiliano Cortes
- Nanoinstitute Munich, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Königinstraße 10, 80539, München, Germany
| | - Nikolai Tkachenko
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, 33101 Finland
| | - Oleksandr Savateev
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pablo Jiménez-Calvo
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Chemistry of Thin Film Materials, IZNF, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; Nanoinstitute Munich, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Königinstraße 10, 80539, München, Germany.
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2
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Zhi F, Wu S, Lai C, He M, Deng W, Zhang D, Peng X, Wu Q, Xia J, Lu ZH, Wang M, Zhang WG, Xu J, Liu C, Peng G. Unravelling the Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting of Nanometer-Thick Carbon Nitride Layer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2401123. [PMID: 38659372 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Matching the thickness of the graphitic carbon nitride (CN) nanolayer with the charge diffusion length is expected to compensate for the poor intrinsic conductivity and charge recombination in CN for photoelectrochemical cells (PEC). Herein, the compact CN nanolayer with tunable thickness is in situ coated on carbon fibers. The compact packing along with good contact with the substrate improves the electron transport and alleviates the charge recombination. The PEC investigation shows CN nanolayer of 93 nm-thick yields an optimum photocurrent of 116 µA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus RHE, comparable to most micrometer-thick CN layers, with a low onset potential of 0.2 V in 1 m KOH under 1 sun illumination. This optimum performance suggests the electron diffusion length matches with the thickness of the CN nanolayer. Further deposition of NiFe-layered double hydroxide enhanced the surface water oxidation kinetics, delivering an improved photocurrent of 210 µA cm-2 with IPCE of 12.8% at 400 nm. The CN nanolayer also shows extended potential in PEC organic synthesis. This work experimentally reveals the PEC behavior of the nanometer-thick CN layer, providing new insights into CN in the application of energy and environment-related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengmei Zhi
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Suqin Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
- GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chen Lai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Mao He
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Wenjie Deng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Dexu Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Xiaoying Peng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Qizheng Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Jiawei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Zhang-Hui Lu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Mingzhan Wang
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Wei-Guang Zhang
- GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jingsan Xu
- School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Chong Liu
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Guiming Peng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
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3
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Witas K, Nair SS, Maisuradze T, Zedler L, Schmidt H, Garcia-Porta P, Rein ASJ, Bolter T, Rau S, Kupfer S, Dietzek-Ivanšić B, Sorsche DU. Beyond the First Coordination Sphere─Manipulating the Excited-State Landscape in Iron(II) Chromophores with Protons. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:19710-19719. [PMID: 38990184 PMCID: PMC11273614 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Molecular transition metal chromophores play a central role in light harvesting and energy conversion. Recently, earth-abundant transition-metal-based chromophores have begun to challenge the dominance of platinum group metal complexes in this area. However, the development of new chromophores with optimized photophysical properties is still limited by a lack of synthetic methods, especially with respect to heteroleptic complexes with functional ligands. Here, we demonstrate a facile and efficient method for the combination of strong-field carbenes with the functional 2,2'-bibenzimidazole ligand in a heteroleptic iron(II) chromophore complex. Our approach yields two isomers that differ predominantly in their excited-state lifetimes based on the symmetry of the ligand field. Deprotonation of both isomers leads to a significant red-shift of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption and a shortening of excited-state lifetimes. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical simulations and resonance Raman spectroscopy reveals the complex relationship between protonation and photophysical properties. Protonation is found to tip the balance between MLCT and metal-centered (MC) excited states in favor of the former. This study showcases the first example of fine-tuning of the excited-state landscape in an iron(II) chromophore through second-sphere manipulations and provides a new perspective to the challenge of excited-state optimizations in 3d transition metal chromophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Witas
- Institute
for Inorganic Chemistry 1, Ulm University
(UUlm), Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Shruthi Santhosh Nair
- Research
Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz
Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena 07745, Germany
- Institute
for Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
Jena (FSU Jena), Lessingstraße 4, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Tamar Maisuradze
- Institute
for Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
Jena (FSU Jena), Lessingstraße 4, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Linda Zedler
- Research
Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz
Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena 07745, Germany
- Institute
for Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
Jena (FSU Jena), Lessingstraße 4, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Heiner Schmidt
- Research
Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz
Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena 07745, Germany
- Institute
for Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
Jena (FSU Jena), Lessingstraße 4, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Pablo Garcia-Porta
- Institute
for Inorganic Chemistry 1, Ulm University
(UUlm), Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | | | - Tim Bolter
- Institute
for Inorganic Chemistry 1, Ulm University
(UUlm), Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Sven Rau
- Institute
for Inorganic Chemistry 1, Ulm University
(UUlm), Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Stephan Kupfer
- Institute
for Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
Jena (FSU Jena), Lessingstraße 4, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Benjamin Dietzek-Ivanšić
- Research
Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz
Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, Jena 07745, Germany
- Institute
for Physical Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität
Jena (FSU Jena), Lessingstraße 4, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Dieter U. Sorsche
- Institute
for Inorganic Chemistry 1, Ulm University
(UUlm), Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany
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4
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Li J, Ma HP, Zhao G, Huang G, Sun W, Peng C. Plastic Waste Conversion by Leveraging Renewable Photo/Electro-Catalytic Technologies. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301352. [PMID: 38226954 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Plastics have revolutionized our lives; however, the exponential growth of their usage has led to a global crisis. More sustainable strategies are needed to address this dilemma and transform the plastics economy from a linearity to a circular model. Herein, we systematically summarize the recent progress in renewable energy-driven plastic conversion strategies, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and their integration. By introducing the significant works, the design principles, mechanisms, and system regulations, we decipher and compare the various aspects of plastic conversion. These approaches show high reactivity and selectivity under environmentally benign conditions and provide alternative reaction pathways for plastic conversion. Plastic upcycling as a chemical feedstock can yield value-added chemicals and fuels, contributing to the establishment of a sustainable and circular economy. Additionally, several innovations in reaction engineering and system designs are presented. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of sustainable energy-driven plastic conversion technologies are comprehensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
- Zhejiang Tiandi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311121, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Peng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Special Functional and Smart Polymer Materials of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shaan Xi, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- Zhejiang Tiandi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311121, P. R. China
| | - Guangfa Huang
- Zhejiang Tiandi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311121, P. R. China
| | - Wenbo Sun
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255000, P. R. China
| | - Chong Peng
- School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, P. R. China
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5
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Liu Y, Pulignani C, Webb S, Cobb SJ, Rodríguez-Jiménez S, Kim D, Milton RD, Reisner E. Electrostatic [FeFe]-hydrogenase-carbon nitride assemblies for efficient solar hydrogen production. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6088-6094. [PMID: 38665532 PMCID: PMC11040649 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00640b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The assembly of semiconductors as light absorbers and enzymes as redox catalysts offers a promising approach for sustainable chemical synthesis driven by light. However, achieving the rational design of such semi-artificial systems requires a comprehensive understanding of the abiotic-biotic interface, which poses significant challenges. In this study, we demonstrate an electrostatic interaction strategy to interface negatively charged cyanamide modified graphitic carbon nitride (NCNCNX) with an [FeFe]-hydrogenase possessing a positive surface charge around the distal FeS cluster responsible for electron uptake into the enzyme. The strong electrostatic attraction enables efficient solar hydrogen (H2) production via direct interfacial electron transfer (DET), achieving a turnover frequency (TOF) of 18 669 h-1 (4 h) and a turnover number (TON) of 198 125 (24 h). Interfacial characterizations, including quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy (PEIS), intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS), and transient photocurrent spectroscopy (TPC) have been conducted on the semi-artificial carbon nitride-enzyme system to provide a comprehensive understanding for the future development of photocatalytic hybrid assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongpeng Liu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Carolina Pulignani
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Sophie Webb
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva Geneva 41211 Switzerland
- National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva Geneva 41211 Switzerland
| | - Samuel J Cobb
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | | | - Dongseok Kim
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Ross D Milton
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva Geneva 41211 Switzerland
- National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva Geneva 41211 Switzerland
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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6
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Vilanova A, Dias P, Lopes T, Mendes A. The route for commercial photoelectrochemical water splitting: a review of large-area devices and key upscaling challenges. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:2388-2434. [PMID: 38288870 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01069g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Green-hydrogen is considered a "key player" in the energy market for the upcoming decades. Among currently available hydrogen (H2) production processes, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has one of the lowest environmental impacts. However, it still presents prohibitively high production costs compared to more mature technologies, such as steam methane reforming. Therefore, the competitiveness of PEC water splitting must rely on its environmental and functional advantages, which are strongly linked to the reactor design, to the intrinsic properties of its components, and to their successful upscaling. This review gives special attention to the engineering aspects and categorizes PEC devices into four main types, according to the configuration of electrodes and strategies for gas separation: wired back-to-back, wireless back-to-back, wired side-by-side, and wired separated electrode membrane-free. Independently of the device architecture, the use of concentrated sunlight was found to be mandatory for achieving competitive green-H2 production. Additionally, feasible strategies for upscaling the key components of PEC devices, especially photoelectrodes, are urgently needed. In a pragmatic context, the way to move forward is to accept that PEC devices will operate close to their thermodynamic limits at large-scale, which requires a solid convergence between academics and industry. Research efforts must be redirected to: (i) build and demonstrate modular devices with a low-cost and highly recyclable embodiment; (ii) optimize thermal and power management; (iii) reduce ohmic losses; (iv) enhance the chemical stability towards a thousand hours; (v) couple solar concentrators with PEC devices; (vi) boost PEC-H2 production through the use of organic compounds; and (vii) reach consensual standardized methods for evaluating PEC devices, at both environmental and techno-economic levels. If these targets are not met in the next few years, the feasibility of PEC-H2 production and its acceptance by industry and by the general public will be seriously compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Vilanova
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Dias
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Tânia Lopes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Adélio Mendes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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7
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Bhattacharjee S, Linley S, Reisner E. Solar reforming as an emerging technology for circular chemical industries. Nat Rev Chem 2024:10.1038/s41570-023-00567-x. [PMID: 38291132 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The adverse environmental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and persistent waste accumulation are driving the demand for sustainable approaches to clean-energy production and waste recycling. By coupling the thermodynamically favourable oxidation of waste-derived organic carbon streams with fuel-forming reduction reactions suitable for producing clean hydrogen or converting CO2 to fuels, solar reforming simultaneously valorizes waste and generates useful chemical products. With appropriate light harvesting, catalyst design, device configurations and waste pre-treatment strategies, a range of sustainable fuels and value-added chemicals can already be selectively produced from diverse waste feedstocks, including biomass and plastics, demonstrating the potential of solar-powered upcycling plants. This Review highlights solar reforming as an emerging technology that is currently transitioning from fundamental research towards practical application. We investigate the chemistry and compatibility of waste pre-treatment, introduce process classifications, explore the mechanisms of different solar reforming technologies, and suggest appropriate concepts, metrics and pathways for various deployment scenarios in a net-zero-carbon future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart Linley
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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8
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Barrio J, Li J, Shalom M. Carbon Nitrides from Supramolecular Crystals: From Single Atoms to Heterojunctions and Advanced Photoelectrodes. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302377. [PMID: 37605638 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Carbon nitride materials (CN) have become one of the most studied photocatalysts within the last 15 years. While CN absorbs visible light, its low porosity and fast electron-hole recombination hinder its photoelectric performance and have motivated the research in the modification of its physical and chemical properties (such as energy band structure, porosity, or chemical composition) by different means. In this Concept we review the utilization of supramolecular crystals as CN precursors to tailor its properties. We elaborate on the features needed in a supramolecular crystal to serve as CN precursor, we delve on the influence of metal-free crystals in the morphology and porosity of the resulting materials and then discuss the formation of single atoms and heterojunctions when employing a metal-organic crystal. We finally discuss the performance of CN photoanodes derived from crystals and highlight the current standing challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Barrio
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW72AZ, England, UK
| | - Junyi Li
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
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9
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Zhang J, Zhu Y, Njel C, Liu Y, Dallabernardina P, Stevens MM, Seeberger PH, Savateev O, Loeffler FF. Metal-free photoanodes for C-H functionalization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7104. [PMID: 37925550 PMCID: PMC10625597 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42851-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Organic semiconductors, such as carbon nitride, when employed as powders, show attractive photocatalytic properties, but their photoelectrochemical performance suffers from low charge transport capability, charge carrier recombination, and self-oxidation. High film-substrate affinity and well-designed heterojunction structures may address these issues, achieved through advanced film generation techniques. Here, we introduce a spin coating pretreatment of a conductive substrate with a multipurpose polymer and a supramolecular precursor, followed by chemical vapor deposition for the synthesis of dual-layer carbon nitride photoelectrodes. These photoelectrodes are composed of a porous microtubular top layer and an interlayer between the porous film and the conductive substrate. The polymer improves the polymerization degree of carbon nitride and introduces C-C bonds to increase its electrical conductivity. These carbon nitride photoelectrodes exhibit state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical performance and achieve high yield in C-H functionalization. This carbon nitride photoelectrode synthesis strategy may be readily adapted to other reported processes to optimize their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Zhang
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yuntao Zhu
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christian Njel
- Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) and Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMFi), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pietro Dallabernardina
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Molly M Stevens
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oleksandr Savateev
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Felix F Loeffler
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
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10
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Lee SY, Serafini P, Masi S, Gualdrón-Reyes AF, Mesa CA, Rodríguez-Pereira J, Giménez S, Lee HJ, Mora-Seró I. A Perovskite Photovoltaic Mini-Module-CsPbBr 3 Photoelectrochemical Cell Tandem Device for Solar-Driven Degradation of Organic Compounds. ACS ENERGY LETTERS 2023; 8:4488-4495. [PMID: 37854043 PMCID: PMC10580309 DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.3c01361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Recently, halide perovskites have been widely explored for high-efficiency photocatalysis or photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. Here, in order to make an efficient photoanode electrode for the degradation of pollutants, concretely 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), nanoscale cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite was directly formed on the surface of mesoporous titanium dioxide (meso-TiO2) film using a two-step spin-coating process. This photoelectrode recorded a photocurrent of up to 3.02 ± 0.03 mA/cm2 under standard AM 1.5G (100 mW/cm2) illumination through an optimization process such as introducing a thin aluminum oxide (Al2O3) coating layer. Furthermore, to supply high voltage for efficient oxidation of MBT without an external bias, we developed a new photovoltaic/PEC tandem system using a methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) based mini-module consisting of three solar cells interconnected in series and confirmed its successful operation. This approach looks very promising due to its applicability to various PEC reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul-Yi Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and Research Institute of Physics & Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Patricio Serafini
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Sofia Masi
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Andrés F. Gualdrón-Reyes
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
- Facultad
de Ciencias, Instituto de Ciencias Químicas, Isla Teja, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Camilo A. Mesa
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Jhonatan Rodríguez-Pereira
- Center
of Materials and Nanotechnologies, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Nam. Cs. Legii 565, 53002 Pardubice, Czech Republic
- Central
European Institute of Technology, Brno University
of Technology, Purkynova
123, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sixto Giménez
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Hyo Joong Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and Research Institute of Physics & Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea
| | - Iván Mora-Seró
- Institute
of Advanced Materials, Universitat Jaume
I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
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11
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Liu C, Busse S, Liu J, Godin R. Aminosilanized Interface Promotes Electrochemically Stable Carbon Nitride Films with Fewer Trap States on FTO for (Photo)electrochemical Systems. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:46902-46915. [PMID: 37774114 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
We have demonstrated the direct growth of a CNx layer on a plasma-cleaned and aminosilanized F-doped SnO2 (FTO) electrode to study the CNx|FTO interface that is critical for (photo)electrocatalytic systems. The (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) was chosen as a bifunctional organosilane, with the amino end incorporating into CNx and the silane end connecting to the hydroxylated FTO surface. Plasma cleaning and aminosilanization resulted in a highly hydrophilic surface, which leads to better contact of melted thiourea to the aminosilanized FTO (p-FTONH2) during CNx polymer condensation, thus generating a thinner and more compact CNx layer. The modification at the interface was shown to influence the CNx growth on length scales of tens of micrometers. We grew CNx thin films on p-FTONH2 (CNx/p-FTONH2) and nonaminosilanized p-FTO (CNx/p-FTO). CNx/p-FTONH2 had a smaller density of trap states and passed 2.4 times the charges before failure compared to CNx/p-FTO. Additionally, a 40% decrease in interfacial charge transfer resistance at the CNx|electrolyte interface was measured for CNx/p-FTONH2 compared to CNx/p-FTO under -0.5 V vs RHE in 0.1 M Na2SO4. Furthermore, with the CNx surface coated with a Pt cocatalyst, Pt/CNx/p-FTONH2 exhibited faster hydrogen evolution rates and larger current densities than Pt/CNx/p-FTO. The highest Faraday efficiency toward electrochemical hydrogen evolution (FEH2) in 0.1 M Na2SO4 (pH = 7) was 46.1%, 37.3%, 57.7%, and 70.5% for Pt/CNx/p-FTONH2, Pt/CNx/p-FTO, CNx/p-FTONH2, and CNx/p-FTO, respectively. The increase in hydrogen evolution rate did not follow the magnitude of the current density change, indicating electrochemical processes other than proton reduction. Overall, we have carefully investigated the CNx|FTO interface and suggested potential solutions to make CNx films better (photo)electrodes for (photo)electrochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Stephanie Busse
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Jian Liu
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Robert Godin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
- Clean Energy Research Center, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
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12
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Guo X, Ma Z, Yuan Y, Kang Y, Xu H, Mao Z, Ma Y. Photoinduced Absorption Spectroscopy of Photoelectrocatalytic Methylene Blue Oxidation on Titania and Hematite: The Thermodynamic and Kinetic Impacts on Reaction Pathways. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206685. [PMID: 36683174 PMCID: PMC10037980 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical oxidation of methylene blue is investigated, with particular focus on the difference in kinetics and thermodynamics of decoloration and mineralization employing photoinduced absorption spectroscopy. Hematite and titania photoanodes are used for the comparison of both reactions, which is determined to be associated with the depth of the valence band (3.2 vs 2.5 V for titania and hematite, respectively). Methylene blue is mineralized by the titania photoanode, however it is only oxidized to small fragments by hematite. Such difference is related to the valence band potential that provides the thermodynamic driving force for photogenerated holes in both materials. In addition, the kinetic competition of water oxidation is found to occur on titania by controlling the pH of the electrolyte. In the pH 14 electrolyte, mineralization of methylene blue is suppressed due to the faster and dominant kinetics of water oxidation, in contrast to the complete mineralization in the near neutral electrolyte where water oxidation kinetics are modest. These results clearly address the importance considering both thermodynamic and kinetic challenges of methylene blue oxidation, which has been thought to be an easy molecule to oxidize, as the model reaction in the application of photo(electro)catalysis using metal oxides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Guo
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco‐Textile, Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
| | - Zixuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco‐Textile, Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
| | - Yuling Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco‐Textile, Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
| | - Yan Kang
- Shanghai Jahwa United Co., Ltd.Shanghai200082China
| | - Hong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco‐Textile, Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
| | - Zhiping Mao
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco‐Textile, Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
- National Innovation Center of Advanced Dyeing & Finishing TechnologyShandong Zhongkang Guochuang Research Institute of Advanced Dyeing & Finishing Technology Co., Ltd.Taian CityShandong Province271000China
| | - Yimeng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco‐Textile, Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
- National Innovation Center of Advanced Dyeing & Finishing TechnologyShandong Zhongkang Guochuang Research Institute of Advanced Dyeing & Finishing Technology Co., Ltd.Taian CityShandong Province271000China
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13
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Volokh M, Shalom M. Polymeric carbon nitride as a platform for photoelectrochemical water-splitting cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1521:5-13. [PMID: 36719040 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) materials are promising low-cost photocatalysts that exhibit a combination of chemical and physical properties suitable for converting light into redox activity on their surface. In this perspective, we describe our experience with this family of materials as light absorbers that serve as an anode in photoelectrochemical cells toward water-splitting. We describe some of the CN deposition techniques and procedures established in our lab. The knowledge gained from powder-based photocatalysis is implemented in photoelectrochemical scenarios and is used to determine the merits and shortcomings of resulting layers. We show how the preparation methods are oriented based on these factors and how high photoelectrochemical water-splitting activity develops in photoanodes we developed where CN(s) act as photoabsorbers. Lastly, we present our view on the future prospects of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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