Surface-sulfurized Ag2O nanoparticles with stable full-solar-spectrum photocatalytic activity

Turbulence enhanced ferroelectric-nanocrystal-based photocatalysis in urchin-like TiO2/BaTiO3 microspheres for hydrogen evolution

The application of a built-in electric field due to piezoelectric potential is one of the most efficient approaches for photo-induced charge transport and separation. However, the efficiency of converting mechanical energy to chemical energy is still very low, and the enhancement of photocatalysis, thus, is limited. To overcome this problem, here, we propose sonophotocatalysis based on a new hybrid photocatalyst, which combines ferroelectric nanocrystals (BaTiO₃) and dendritic TiO₂ to form an urchin-like TiO₂/BaTiO₃ hybrid photocatalyst. Under periodic ultrasonic excitation, a spontaneous polarization potential of BaTiO₃ nanocrystals in response to ultrasonic waves can act as an alternating built-in electric field to separate photoinduced carriers incessantly, which can significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity and cyclic performance of the urchin-like TiO₂/BaTiO₃ catalyst. More importantly, the significant enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is due to the coupling effect of two types of piezoelectric potential in the presence of BaTiO₃ nanocubes as well as the semiconductor and optical properties of TiO₂ nanowires of the urchin-like TiO₂/BaTiO₃ hybrid structure under simulated sunlight and periodic ultrasonic irradiation, which can significantly improve the efficiency of converting mechanical energy to chemical energy.

Near-Infrared-Responsive Photocatalysts

Broadening the absorption of light to the near-infrared (NIR) region is important in photocatalysis to achieve efficient solar-to-fuel conversion. NIR-responsive photocatalysts that can utilize diffusive solar energy are attractive for alleviating the energy crisis and environmental pollution. Over the past few years, considerable progress on the component and structural design of NIR-responsive photocatalysts have been reported. This study aims to systematically summarize recent progress toward the material design and mechanism optimization of NIR-responsive photocatalysts in this area. Depending on the main strategies for harvesting NIR photons, NIR-responsive photocatalysts can be categorized as direct NIR-light photocatalysts, indirect NIR-light photocatalysts, and photothermal photocatalysts. Furthermore, the construction and application of different NIR-responsive photocatalytic systems are summarized. Conclusions and perspectives are presented to further explore the potential of NIR-responsive photocatalysts in this field.

Performance promotion of Ag2O photocatalyst by particle size and crystal surface regulation

Photocatalytic performance of Ag₂O was greatly improved by adjusting the crystal plane structure and size with pyridine, which promoted the application of Ag₂O to actual industrial printing and dyeing wastewater treatment systems.

In situ S-doped ultrathin gC3N4 nanosheets coupled with mixed-dimensional (3D/1D) nanostructures of silver vanadates for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

A novel plasmonic Z-scheme sulphur doped gC₃N₄/Ag₃VO₄/β-AgVO₃/Ag (SGA-x) hybrid quaternary photocatalyst was successfully fabricated via the ultrasonic assisted Kirkendall effect and diffusion processes followed by low temperature phase conversion.