Screening potential dye sensitizers for water splitting photocatalysts using a genetic algorithm

Addressing the global fossil energy crisis necessitates the efficient utilization of sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen, a green fuel, can be generated using sunlight, water, and a photocatalyst. Employing sensitizers holds promise for enhancing photocatalyst performance, enabling high rates of hydrogen evolution through increased visible light absorption. However, sifting through millions of diverse molecules to identify suitable dyes for specific photocatalysts poses a significant challenge. In this study, we integrate genetic algorithm and geometry-frequency-noncovalent extended tight binding methods to efficiently screen 2.6 million potential sensitizers with a D-π-A-π-AA structure within a short timeframe. Subsequently, these optimized sensitizers are rigorously reassessed by using DFT/TDDFT methods, elucidating why they may serve as superior dyes compared to the reference dye WS5F, particularly in terms of light absorption, driving force, binding energy, etc. Additionally, our methodology uncovers molecular motifs of particular interest, including the furan π-bridge and the double cyano anchoring acceptor, which are prevalent in the most promising set of molecules. The developed genetic algorithm workflow and dye design principles can be extended to various compelling projects, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, organic photovoltaics, photo-induced redox reactions, pharmaceuticals, and beyond.

Screen-printed Sn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic dye removal from wastewater: A technological perspective

TiO2 is widely used as a photocatalyst with a wide band gap, which limited its application. Ion doping and formulating a high-quality screen-printing paste enhance its features. However, the printability of objects for advanced application seems essential nowadays. In this research, the Sn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared through a sol-gel method followed by calcination at various temperatures of 450 °C, 550 °C, 650 °C, 750 °C, and 850 °C. Screen-printing pastes were prepared with 18 wt% of the synthesized Sn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles to evaluate photocatalytic activity. Finally, the prepared paste with optimum nanoparticle concentration was screen printed onto the microscope glass slides at various printing times (1, 3, and 5 runs) and annealed at 500 °C temperature to investigate the thickness of printed Sn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles effect. The photocatalytic activity and crystal structure of nano Sn-doped-TiO2 were characterized using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were conducted to investigate the size and morphology of the prepared nanoparticles, respectively. The highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue was obtained at the calcination temperature of 450 °C.

Utilizing Metal-Thiocatecholate Functionalized UiO-66 Framework for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Exploiting clean energy is essential for sustainable development and sunlight-driven photocatalytic water splitting represents one of the most promising approaches toward this goal. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are competent photocatalysts owing to their tailorable functionality, well-defined structure, and high porosity. Yet, the introduction of the unambiguous metal-centered active site into MOFs is still challenging since framework motifs capable of anchoring metal ions firmly are lacking. Herein, the assembly using 1,4-dicarboxylbenzene-2,3-dithiol (H₂ dcbdt) and Zr-Oxo clusters to give a thiol-functionalized UiO-66 type framework, UiO-66-dcbdt, is reported. The thiocatechols on the struts are allowed to capture transition metal (TM) ions to generate UiO-66-dcbdt-M (M  = Fe, Ni, Cu) with unambiguous metal-thiocatecholate moieties for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). UiO-66-dcbdt-Cu is found the best catalyst exhibiting an HER rate of 4.18 mmol g^-1  h^-1  upon irradiation with photosensitizing Ru-polypyridyl complex. To skip the use of the external sensitizer, UiO-66-dcbdt-Cu is heterojunctioned with titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ) and achieves an HER rate of 12.63 mmol g^-1  h^-1  (32.3 times that of primitive TiO₂ ). This work represents the first example of MOF assembly employing H₂ dcbdt as the mere linker followed by chelation with TM ions and undoubtedly fuels the rational design of MOF photocatalysts bearing well-defined active sites.

Zn3Sb4O6F6 and KI-Doped Zn3Sb4O6F6: A Metal Oxyfluoride System for Photocatalytic Activity, Knoevenagel Condensation, and Bacterial Disinfection

Zn₃Sb₄O₆F₆ crystallites were synthesized by a pH-regulated hydrothermal synthetic approach, while doping on Zn₃Sb₄O₆F₆ by KI was performed by the "incipient wetness impregnation technique." The effect of KI in Zn₃Sb₄O₆F₆ is found with the changes in morphology in the doped compound, i.e., needle-shaped particles with respect to the irregular cuboid and granular shaped in the pure compound. Closer inspection of the powder diffraction pattern of doped compounds also reveals the shifting of Braggs' peaks toward a lower angle and the difference in cell parameters compared to the pure compound. Both metal oxyfluoride comprising lone pair elements and their doped compounds have been successfully applied as photocatalysts for methylene blue dye degradation. Knoevenagel condensation reactions were performed using Zn₃Sb₄O₆F₆ as the catalyst and confirmed 99% yield even at 60 °C temperature under solvent-free conditions. Both pure and KI-doped compounds were tested against several standard bacterial strains, i.e., Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sp., Salmonella sp., Bacillus sp., Proteous sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Klebsiella sp. by the "disk diffusion method" and their antimicrobial activities were confirmed.

Recent Advances in TiO2-based Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has attracted a great attention in the past several decades which holds great promise to address global energy and environmental issues by converting solar energy into hydrogen. However, its low solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency remains a bottleneck for practical application. Developing efficient photoelectrocatalysts with high stability and high STH conversion efficiency is one of the key challenges. As a typical n-type semiconductor, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) exhibits high PEC water splitting performance, especially high chemical and photo stability. But, TiO 2 has also disadvantages such as wide band gap and fast electron-hole recombination rate, which seriously hinder its PEC performance. This review focuses on recent development in TiO 2 -based photoanodes as well as some key fundamentals. The corresponding mechanisms and key factors for high STH, and controllable synthesis and modification strategies are highlighted in this review. We conclude finally with an outlook providing a critical perspective on future trends on TiO 2 -based photoanodes for PEC water splitting.

Recent Progress in LDH@Graphene and Analogous Heterostructures for Highly Active and Stable Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a plethora of green technological process, which transforms copiously available photon energy into valuable chemical energy. With the augmentation of modern civilization, developmental process of novel semiconductor photocatalysts proceeded at a sweltering rate, but the overall energy conversion efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts in PC/PEC is moderately poor owing to the instability ariseing from the photocorrosion and messy charge configuration. Particularly, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as reassuring multifunctional photocatalysts, turned out to be intensively investigated owing to the lamellar structure and exceptional physico-chemical properties. However, major drawbacks of LDHs material are its low conductivity, sluggish mass transfer and structural instability in acidic media, which hinder their applicability and stability. To surmount these obstacles, the formation of LDH@graphene and analogus heterostructures could proficiently amalgamate multi-functionalities, compensate distinct shortcomings, and endow novel properties, which ensure effective charge separation to result in stability and superior catalytic activities. Herein, we aim to summarize the currently updated synthetic strategies used to design heterostructures of 2D LDHs with 2D/3D graphene and graphene analogus material as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃ N₄ ), and MoS₂ as mediator, or interlayer support, or co-catalyst or vice versa for superior PC/PEC water splitting activities along with long-term stabilities. Furthermore, latest characterization technique measuring the stability along with variant interface mode for imparting charge separation in LDH@graphene and graphene analogus heterostructure has been identified in this field of research with understanding the intrinsic structural features and activities.

Recent Developments in the Use of Heterogeneous Semiconductor Photocatalyst Based Materials for a Visible-Light-Induced Water-Splitting System—A Brief Review

Visible-light-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic water splitting systems featuring heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts (oxynitrides, oxysulfides, organophotocatalysts) signify an environmentally friendly and promising approach for the manufacturing of renewable hydrogen fuel. Semiconducting electrode materials as the main constituents in the PEC water splitting system have substantial effects on the device’s solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency. Given the complication of the photocatalysis and photoelectrolysis methods, it is indispensable to include the different electrocatalytic materials for advancing visible-light-driven water splitting, considered a difficult challenge. Heterogeneous semiconductor-based materials with narrower bandgaps (2.5 to 1.9 eV), equivalent to the theoretical STH efficiencies ranging from 9.3% to 20.9%, are recognized as new types of photoabsorbents to engage as photoelectrodes for PEC water oxidation and have fascinated much consideration. Herein, we spotlight mainly on heterogenous semiconductor-based photoanode materials for PEC water splitting. Different heterogeneous photocatalysts based materials are emphasized in different groups, such as oxynitrides, oxysulfides, and organic solids. Lastly, the design approach and future developments regarding heterogeneous photocatalysts oxide electrodes for PEC applications and photocatalytic applications are also discussed.

Aggregation-induced photocatalytic activity and efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of amphiphilic rhodamines in water

The development of photocatalysts is an essential task for clean energy generation and establishing a sustainable society. This paper describes the aggregation-induced photocatalytic activity (AI-PCA) of amphiphilic rhodamines and photocatalytic functions of the supramolecular assemblies. The supramolecular assemblies consisting of amphiphilic rhodamines with octadecyl alkyl chains exhibited significant photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation in water, while the corresponding monomeric rhodamines did not exhibit photocatalytic activity. The studies on the photocatalytic mechanism by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses clearly demonstrated the AI-PCA of the rhodamines. Moreover, the supramolecular assemblies of the rhodamines exhibited excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates (up to 5.9 mmol g-1 h-1).

Controlled Photoinduced Electron Transfer from InP/ZnS Quantum Dots through Cu Doping: A New Prototype for the Visible-Light Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Photoexcited electron extraction from semiconductors can be useful for converting solar energy into useful forms of energy. Although InP quantum dots (QDs) are considered alternative materials for solar energy conversion, the inherent instability of bare InP QDs demands the use of passivation layers such as ZnS for practical applications, which impedes carrier extraction from the QDs. Here, we demonstrate that Cu-doped InP/ZnS (InP/Cu:ZnS) QDs improve the electron transfer ability due to hole capture by Cu dopants. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies confirmed that electrons were effectively transferred from the InP/Cu:ZnS QDs to a benzoquinone acceptor by retarding the electron-hole recombination within the QD. We evaluated the photocatalytic H₂ evolution performance of InP/Cu:ZnS QDs under visible light, which showed outstanding photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity and stability under visible light illumination. The photocatalytic activity was preserved even in the absence of a cocatalyst.

Recent Advances in Conjugated Polymers for Visible-Light-Driven Water Splitting

With the ambition of solving the challenges of the shortage of fossil fuels and their associated environmental pollution, visible-light-driven splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen using semiconductor photocatalysts has emerged as a promising technology to provide environmentally friendly energy vectors. Among the current library of developed photocatalysts, organic conjugated polymers present unique advantages of sufficient light-absorption efficiency, excellent stability, tunable electronic properties, and economic applicability. As a class of rising photocatalysts, organic conjugated polymers offer high flexibility in tuning the framework of the backbone and porosity to fulfill the requirements for photocatalytic applications. In the past decade, significant progress has been made in visible-light-driven water splitting employing organic conjugated polymers. The recent development of the structural design principles of organic conjugated polymers (including linear, crosslinked, and supramolecular self-assembled polymers) toward efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and overall water splitting is described, thus providing a comprehensive reference for the field. Finally, current challenges and perspectives are also discussed.

Two-Dimensional Materials and Composites as Potential Water Splitting Photocatalysts: A Review

Hydrogen production via water dissociation under exposure to sunlight has emanated as an environmentally friendly, highly productive and expedient process to overcome the energy production and consumption gap, while evading the challenges of fossil fuel depletion and ecological contamination. Various classes of materials are being explored as viable photocatalysts to achieve this purpose, among which, the two-dimensional materials have emerged as prominent candidates, having the intrinsic advantages of visible light sensitivity; structural and chemical tuneability; extensively exposed surface area; and flexibility to form composites and heterostructures. In an abridged manner, the common types of 2D photocatalysts, their position as potential contenders in photocatalytic processes, their derivatives and their modifications are described herein, as it all applies to achieving the coveted chemical and physical properties by fine-tuning the synthesis techniques, precursor ingredients and nano-structural alterations.

Metal-Free Carbon Quantum Dots Implant Graphitic Carbon Nitride: Enhanced Photocatalytic Dye Wastewater Purification with Simultaneous Hydrogen Production

The use of photocatalysts to purify wastewater and simultaneously convert solar energy into clean hydrogen energy is of considerable significance in environmental science. However, it is still a challenge due to their relatively high costs, low efficiencies, and poor stabilities. In this study, a metal-free carbon quantum dots (CQDs) modified graphitic carbon nitride photocatalyst (CCN) was synthesized by a facile method. The characterization and theoretical calculation results reveal that the incorporation of CQDs into the g-C₃N₄ matrix significantly improves the charge transfer and separation efficiency, exhibits a redshift of absorption edge, narrows the bandgap, and prevents the recombination of photoexcited carriers. The hydrogen production and simultaneous degradation of methylene blue (MB) or rhodamine B (RhB) in simulated wastewaters were further tested. In the simulated wastewater, the CCN catalyst showed enhanced photodegradation efficiency, accompanied with the increased hydrogen evolution rate (1291 µmol·h⁻¹·g⁻¹). The internal electrical field between the g-C₃N₄ and the CQDs is the main reason for the spatial separation of photoexcited electron-hole pairs. Overall, this work could offer a new protocol for the design of highly efficient photocatalysts for dye wastewater purification with simultaneous hydrogen production.

A curly architectured graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) towards efficient visible-light photocatalytic H2 evolution

The unique curly-like architecture g-C₃N₄ with excellent photocatalytic H₂ evolved activity was reported by a facile precursor-reforming strategy.

Particulate Photocatalysts for Light-Driven Water Splitting: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Design Strategies

Solar-driven water splitting provides a leading approach to store the abundant yet intermittent solar energy and produce hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier. A straightforward route to light-driven water splitting is to apply self-supported particulate photocatalysts, which is expected to allow solar hydrogen to be competitive with fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen on a levelized cost basis. More importantly, the powder-based systems can lend themselves to making functional panels on a large scale while retaining the intrinsic activity of the photocatalyst. However, all attempts to generate hydrogen via powder-based solar water-splitting systems to date have unfortunately fallen short of the efficiency values required for practical applications. Photocatalysis on photocatalyst particles involves three sequential steps: (i) absorption of photons with higher energies than the bandgap of the photocatalysts, leading to the excitation of electron-hole pairs in the particles, (ii) charge separation and migration of these photoexcited carriers, and (iii) surface chemical reactions based on these carriers. In this review, we focus on the challenges of each step and summarize material design strategies to overcome the obstacles and limitations. This review illustrates that it is possible to employ the fundamental principles underlying photosynthesis and the tools of chemical and materials science to design and prepare photocatalysts for overall water splitting.

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: Role of Sacrificial Reagents on the Activity of Oxide, Carbon, and Sulfide Catalysts

Photocatalytic water splitting is a sustainable technology for the production of clean fuel in terms of hydrogen (H2). In the present study, hydrogen (H2) production efficiency of three promising photocatalysts (titania (TiO2-P25), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and cadmium sulfide (CdS)) was evaluated in detail using various sacrificial agents. The effect of most commonly used sacrificial agents in the recent years, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, lactic acid, glucose, sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfide/sodium sulfite mixture, and triethanolamine, were evaluated on TiO2-P25, g-C3N4, and CdS. H2 production experiments were carried out under simulated solar light irradiation in an immersion type photo-reactor. All the experiments were performed without any noble metal co-catalyst. Moreover, photolysis experiments were executed to study the H2 generation in the absence of a catalyst. The results were discussed specifically in terms of chemical reactions, pH of the reaction medium, hydroxyl groups, alpha hydrogen, and carbon chain length of sacrificial agents. The results revealed that glucose and glycerol are the most suitable sacrificial agents for an oxide photocatalyst. Triethanolamine is the ideal sacrificial agent for carbon and sulfide photocatalyst. A remarkable amount of H2 was produced from the photolysis of sodium sulfide and sodium sulfide/sodium sulfite mixture without any photocatalyst. The findings of this study would be highly beneficial for the selection of sacrificial agents for a particular photocatalyst.

Triple Planar Heterojunction of SnO2/WO3/BiVO4 with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance under Front Illumination

The performance of a BiVO4 photoanode is limited by poor charge transport, especially under front side illumination. Heterojunction of different metal oxides with staggered band configuration is a promising route, as it facilitates charge separation/transport and thereby improves photoactivity. We report a ternary planar heterojunction photoanode with enhanced photoactivity under front side illumination. SnO2/WO3/BiVO4 films were fabricated through electron beam deposition and subsequent wet chemical method. Remarkably high external quantum efficiency of ~80% during back side and ~90% upon front side illumination at a wavelength of 400 nm has been witnessed for SnO2/WO3/BiVO4 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The intimate contact between the heterojunction films enabled efficient charge separation at the interface and promoted electron transport. This work provides a new paradigm for designing triple heterojunction to improve photoactivity, particularly under front illumination, which would be beneficial for the development of tandem devices.

Investigation of amino-grafted TiO2/reduced graphene oxide hybrids as a novel photocatalyst used for decomposition of selected organic dyes

A novel type of photocatalyst - hybrids of amino-grafted titania and reduced graphene oxide - was synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The hybrids were comprehensively analyzed, including determination of their morphology (TEM), porous structure parameters (low-temperature N₂ sorption) and crystalline structure (XRD). Additionally, to confirm the effective bonding of the amino-grafted titania and reduced graphene oxide, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used, in addition to elemental analysis. The key stage of the research was an evaluation of the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized hybrid photocatalysts with respect to the decomposition of C.I. Basic Blue 9 and C.I. Basic Red 1 dyes. It was found that the amino-grafted titania/reduced graphene oxide hybrids exhibited better photocatalytic activity in the degradation of C.I. Basic Blue 9 and C.I. Basic Red 1 than amino-grafted TiO₂ alone. The high efficiency of dye decomposition can be attributed to the higher BET surface area and good separation of photogenerated electrons and holes offered by graphene oxide.

Materials and Mechanisms of Photo-Assisted Chemical Reactions under Light and Dark Conditions: Can Day-Night Photocatalysis Be Achieved?

The photoassisted catalytic reaction, conventionally known as photocatalysis, is expanding into the field of energy and environmental applications. It is widely known that the discovery of TiO₂ -assisted photochemical reactions has led to several unique applications, such as degradation of pollutants in water and air, hydrogen production through water splitting, fuel conversion, cancer treatment, antibacterial activity, self-cleaning glasses, and concrete. These multifaceted applications of this phenomenon can be enriched and expanded further if this process is equipped with more tools and functions. The term "photoassisted" catalytic reactions clearly emphasizes that photons are required to activate the catalyst; this can be transcended even into the dark if electrons are stored in the material for the later use to continue the catalytic reactions in the absence of light. This can be achieved by equipping the photocatalyst with an electron-storage material to overcome current limitations in photoassisted catalytic reactions. In this context, this article sheds lights on the materials and mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions under light and dark conditions. The manifestation of such systems could be an unparalleled technology in the near future that could influence all spheres of the catalytic sciences.

Construction of strontium tantalate homo-semiconductor composite photocatalysts with a tunable type II junction structure for overall water splitting

The presence of at least two different strontium tantalates with a type II junction structure for efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting.

Recent Progress in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Applications in Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Water Splitting

The development of clean and renewable energy materials as alternatives to fossil fuels is foreseen as a potential solution to the crucial problems of environmental pollution and energy shortages. Hydrogen is an ideal energy material for the future, and water splitting using solar/electrical energy is one way to generate hydrogen. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with unique properties that have received rapidly growing attention in recent years for applications in water splitting due to their remarkable design flexibility, ultra-large surface-to-volume ratios and tunable pore channels. This review focuses on recent progress in the application of MOFs in electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation, including both oxygen and hydrogen evolution. It starts with the fundamentals of electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water splitting and the related factors to determine the catalytic activity. The recent progress in the exploitation of MOFs for water splitting is then summarized, and strategies for designing MOF-based catalysts for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water splitting are presented. Finally, major challenges in the field of water splitting are highlighted, and some perspectives of MOF-based catalysts for water splitting are proposed.

Synthesis of a monoclinic BiVO4 nanorod array as the photocatalyst for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation

The BiVO₄ nanorod array is successfully synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glasses via a simple solution method, and the electrode is applied as the photoanode for water oxidation.

Preparation and characterization of CrFeWTiO2 photoanodes and their photoelectrochemical activities for water splitting

The chemical bath deposition (CBD) method was successfully applied to prepare WTiO₂ nanotube arrays co-deposited with chromium, iron and chromium–iron nanoparticles.

One-step synthesis of CoO/g-C3N4 composites by thermal decomposition for overall water splitting without sacrificial reagents

10%CoO/g-C₃N₄ exhibits good photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation without any sacrificial reagents.

Rational design of carbon nitride photocatalysts by identification of cyanamide defects as catalytically relevant sites

The heptazine-based polymer melon (also known as graphitic carbon nitride, g-C₃N₄) is a promising photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. Nonetheless, attempts to improve its inherently low activity are rarely based on rational approaches because of a lack of fundamental understanding of its mechanistic operation. Here we employ molecular heptazine-based model catalysts to identify the cyanamide moiety as a photocatalytically relevant ‘defect'. We exploit this knowledge for the rational design of a carbon nitride polymer populated with cyanamide groups, yielding a material with 12 and 16 times the hydrogen evolution rate and apparent quantum efficiency (400 nm), respectively, compared with the unmodified melon. Computational modelling and material characterization suggest that this moiety improves coordination (and, in turn, charge transfer kinetics) to the platinum co-catalyst and enhances the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. The demonstrated knowledge transfer for rational catalyst design presented here provides the conceptual framework for engineering high-performance heptazine-based photocatalysts.

Graphitic carbon nitride is a promising hydrogen evolution photocatalyst, although there is limited understanding of its mechanistic operation. Here, the authors employ molecular heptazine-based model catalysts to identify catalytically relevant defects and to rationally design a highly active carbon nitride photocatalyst.

Facile synthesis of surface N-doped Bi2O2CO3: Origin of visible light photocatalytic activity and in situ DRIFTS studies

Bi2O2CO3 nanosheets with exposed {001} facets were prepared by a facile room temperature chemical method. Due to the high oxygen atom density in {001} facets of Bi2O2CO3, the addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) does not only influence the growth of crystalline Bi2O2CO3, but also modifies the surface properties of Bi2O2CO3 through the interaction between CTAB and Bi2O2CO3. Nitrogen from CTAB as dopant interstitially incorporates in the Bi2O2CO3 surface evidenced by both experimental and theoretical investigations. Hence, the formation of localized states from NO bond improves the visible light absorption and charge separation efficiency, which leads to an enhancement of visible light photocatalytic activity toward to the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and oxidation of NO. In addition, the photocatalytic NO oxidation over Bi2O2CO3 nanosheets was successfully monitored for the first time using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Both bidentate and monodentate nitrates were identified on the surface of catalysts during the photocatalytic reaction process. The application of this strategy to another relevant bismuth based photocatalyst, BiOCl, demonstrated that surface interstitial N doping could also be achieved in this case. Therefore, our current route seems to be a general option to modify the surface properties of bismuth based photocatalysts.

CdS quantum dots and tungsten carbide supported on anatase–rutile composite TiO2 for highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution from water

A noble-metal-free CdS/WC/TiO₂ photocatalyst with water-soluble CdS quantum dots (<5 nm) and anatase–rutile composite TiO₂ is highly efficient for H₂ evolution from visible-light-driven photocatalytic water reduction.

Nickel as a co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution on graphitic-carbon nitride (sg-CN): what is the nature of the active species?

Structural changes of a nickel co-catalyst on graphitic carbon nitride have been uncovered during photocatalytic proton reduction by using XPS and in situ EPR measurements.

Study on the Effect of Pt Intercalation into Layered Niobate Perovskite for Photocatalytic Behavior

A novel photocatalyst consisting of an intercalated perovskite H(1-2x)Pt(x)LaNb2O7 was fabricated by ion exchange. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results confirmed that Pt(2+) exists within the interlayer space of the layered perovskite. H(1-2x)Pt(x)LaNb2O7 composed of layered niobate perovskite and intercalated Pt(2+) completely degraded a 20 ppm phenol solution in 3 h under irradiation by Xe light, which exhibits photocatalytic activity superior to those of RbLaNb2O7, Pt-deposited RbLaNb2O7, and HLaNb2O7. From first-principles density functional theory simulation, high photocatalytic activity of H(1-2x)Pt(x)LaNb2O7 is attributed to the emergence of a new O 2p-Pt 5d hybridized band on top of the valence band.

Uncovering structure-activity relationships in manganese-oxide-based heterogeneous catalysts for efficient water oxidation

Artificial photosynthesis by harvesting solar light into chemical energy could solve the problems of energy conversion and storage in a sustainable way. In nature, CO2 and H2 O are transformed into carbohydrates by photosynthesis to store the solar energy in chemical bonds and water is oxidized to O2 in the oxygen-evolving center (OEC) of photosystem II (PS II). The OEC contains CaMn4 O5 cluster in which the metals are interconnected through oxido bridges. Inspired by biological systems, manganese-oxide-based catalysts have been synthesized and explored for water oxidation. Structural, functional modeling, and design of the materials have prevailed over the years to achieve an effective and stable catalyst system for water oxidation. Structural flexibility with eg(1) configuration of Mn(III) , mixed valency in manganese, and higher surface area are the main requirements to attain higher efficiency. This Minireview discusses the most recent progress in heterogeneous manganese-oxide-based catalysts for efficient chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical water oxidation as well as the structural requirements for the catalyst to perform actively.

Confined-space synthesis of single crystal TiO₂ nanowires in atmospheric vessel at low temperature: a generalized approach

Extensive efforts have been devoted to develop innovative synthesis strategies for nanomaterials in order to exploit the true potential of nanotechnology. However, most approaches require high temperature or high pressure to favor crystallization. Here we highlight an unconventional approach for the confined-space synthesis of the single crystal TiO₂ nanowires in the atmospheric vessel at low temperature by cleverly manipulating the unique physical properties of straight-chain saturated fatty acids. Our method also applys to icosane due to its straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon structure and similar physical properties to the saturated fatty acids. Interestingly, we also found that the unsaturated fatty acids can facilitate the crystal growth, but their bent chains lead to the formation of TiO₂ particle aggregates. In addition, we demonstrate the growth of TiO₂ nanowires on arbitrary substrates, which are of great importance for their wider applications. We thus anticipate our presented method to be a possible starting point for non-classical crystallization strategies and be easily adapted for the fabrication of all other inorganic materials.