Self-assembled nanohybrid of cadmium sulfide and calcium niobate: Photocatalyst with enhanced charge separation for efficient visible light induced hydrogen generation

Recent Advances in Niobium-Based Materials for Photocatalytic Solar Fuel Production

The search for renewable and clean energy sources is a key aspect for sustainable development as energy consumption has continuously increased over the years concomitantly with environmental concerns caused by the use of fossil fuels. Semiconductor materials have great potential for acting as photocatalysts for solar fuel production, a potential energy source able to solve both energy and environmental concerns. Among the studied semiconductor materials, those based on niobium pentacation are still shallowly explored, although the number of publications and patents on Nb(V)-based photocatalysts has increased in the last years. A large variety of Nb(V)-based materials exhibit suitable electronic/morphological properties for light-driving reactions. Not only the extensive group of Nb2O5 polymorphs is explored, but also many types of layered niobates, mixed oxides, and Nb(V)-doped semiconductors. Therefore, the aim of this manuscript is to provide a review of the latest developments of niobium based photocatalysts for energy conversion into fuels, more specifically, CO2 reduction to hydrocarbons or H2 evolution from water. Additionally, the main strategies for improving the photocatalytic performance of niobium-based materials are discussed.

One-pot fabrication of 2D/2D HCa2Nb3O10/g-C3N4 type II heterojunctions towards enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible-light irradiation

Effective 2D-composite photocatalysts, HCa₂Nb₃O₁₀/g-C₃N₄, with enhanced photocatalytic activity are conveniently synthesized by a facile one-pot method.

A facile synthesis of a ZIF-derived ZnS/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction and enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

A novel heterostructure of ZIF-derived ZnS/ZnIn₂S₄ is formed by nano-ZnS uniformly dispersed in ZnIn₂S₄ flower, which displays enhanced photocatalytic reactions.