Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol by ZnO nanoparticles deposited on ZnSe nanosheet

Compositionally Tuning Electron Transfer from Photoexcited Core/Shell Quantum Dots via Cation Exchange

It is critical to find methods to control the thermodynamic driving force for photoexcited charge transfer from quantum dots (QDs) and explore how this affects charge transfer rates, since the efficiency of QD-based photovoltaic and photocatalysis technologies depends on both this rate and the associated energetic losses. In this work, we introduce a single-pot shell growth and Cu-catalyzed cation exchange method to synthesize Cd_xZn_1-xSe/Cd_yZn_1-yS QDs with tunable driving forces for electron transfer. Functionalizing them with two molecular electron acceptors─naphthalenediimide (NDI) and anthraquinone (AQ)─allowed us to probe nearly 1 eV of driving forces. For AQ, at lower driving forces, we find that higher Zn content results in a 130-fold increase of electron transfer rate constants. However, at higher driving forces electron transfer dynamics are unaltered. The data are understood using an Auger-assisted electron transfer model and analyzed with computational work to determine approximate binding geometries of these electron acceptors. Our work provides a method to tune QD reducing power and produces useful metrics for optimizing QD charge transfer systems that maximize rates of electron transfer while minimizing energetic losses.

A surface-alkalinized Ti3C2 MXene as an efficient cocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction over ZnO

Surface alkalinized Ti₃C₂ MXene with high electronic conductivity and CO₂ adsorption/activation ability is used as an efficient co-catalyst for boosting the photocatalytic activity of ZnO for CO₂ reduction into hydrocarbon solar fuels.

Novel Micro and Nanostructure of a AgCuInS2-Graphene-TiO2 Ternary Composite for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction for Methanol Fuel

Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction into hydrocarbon fuels over photocatalysts has hypothetical and reasonably developed into a trendy exploration topic. In this study, the progress of the quaternary nanocomposite containing a graphene-based catalyst was reported; this was fabricated using the hydrothermal technique. The analysis of physical characteristics of the nanocomposite confirmed the interaction between all parts. The quaternary nanocomposite containing the graphene-based catalyst was utilized for carbon dioxide reduction to methanol (CH₃OH) under light irradiation. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and the quaternary nanocomposite of AgCuInS₂ were monotonously spread on the graphene exterior. This nanomaterial showed superior activity compared with TiO₂ and the binary composite for CO₂ conversion, and the obtained result indicates that the synthesized ternary composite enhaces the properties of the photocatalyst in the reduction process.

Controlled morphology of ZnSe nanostructures by varying Zn/Se molar ratio: the effects of different morphologies on optical properties and photocatalytic performance

Synthesis of ZnSe nanostructures with different morphologies by changing the Zn/Se ratio in a co-precipitation method.