CaF2-Based Near-Infrared Photocatalyst Using the Multifunctional CaTiO3 Precursors as the Calcium Source

Solution chemistry quasi-epitaxial growth of atomic CaTiO3 perovskite layers to stabilize and passivate TiO2 photoelectrodes for efficient water splitting

Perovskite oxides with unique crystal structures and high defect tolerance are promising as atomic surface passivation layers for photoelectrodes for efficient and stable water splitting. However, controllably depositing and crystalizing perovskite-type metal oxides at the atomic level remains challenging, as they usually crystalize at higher temperatures than regular metal oxides. Here, we report a mild solution chemistry approach for the quasi-epitaxial growth of an atomic CaTiO3 perovskite layer on rutile TiO2 nanorod arrays. The high-temperature crystallization of CaTiO3 perovskite is overcome by a sequential hydrothermal conversion of the atomic amorphous TiOx layer to CaTiO3 perovskite. The atomic quasi-epitaxial CaTiO3 layer passivated TiO2 nanorod arrays exhibit more efficient interface charge transfer and high photoelectrochemical performance for water splitting. Such a mild solution-based approach for the quasi-epitaxial growth of atomic metal oxide perovskite layers could be a promising strategy for both fabricating atomic perovskite layers and improving their photoelectrochemical properties.

Efficient hydrogen generation of vector Z-scheme CaTiO3/Cu/TiO2 photocatalyst assisted by cocatalyst Cu nanoparticles

Herein, the CaTiO₃/Cu/TiO₂ all-solid-state Z-scheme heterojunction is successfully designed via Cu nanoparticles situating at the interface between CaTiO₃ and TiO₂ with a new synthesis route. Interestingly, TiO₂ nanosheets are generated in-situ on the surface of CaTiO₃ in the second step hydrothermal reaction. The lifetimes of photoexcited carriers, photoluminescence emission spectra and transient photocurrent response tests have confirmed that the efficient Z-scheme charge transmission path of the CaTiO₃/Cu/TiO₂ is beneficial to facilitate the separation of photogenerated carriers and reduce their recombination efficiency. As expected, the hydrogen generation rate of CaTiO₃/Cu/TiO₂ is increased to 23.550 mmol g^-1h^-1 with the appropriate amount of copper loading, which is about 981 times and 93 times higher than that of pristine CaTiO₃ (0.024 mmol g^-1h^-1) and CaTiO₃/TiO₂ (0.253 mmol g^-1h^-1), respectively. Furthermore, the CaTiO₃/Cu/TiO₂ sample shows good stability in cycle experiments. Particularly, experimental results show that the non-noble metal Cu nanoparticles can be an effective electron mediator. And these merits strongly demonstrate that the CaTiO₃/Cu/TiO₂ composites have potential application in photocatalytic field. This study can provide fundamental guidance for designing rationally efficient non-noble metal vector Z-scheme system photocatalysts with outstanding photocatalytic H₂ generation performance.

Bandgap Engineering in a Staggered-Type Oxide Perovskite Heterojunction for Efficient Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic Dye Degradation

Oxide perovskite materials with ABO₃ structure have been widely employed for photocatalytic applications. However, owing to the disadvantageous electron-hole recombination process and wide bandgap of some materials, the photocatalytic performance is seemingly restricted. Coupling two catalysts together through the formation of a heterojunction ensures effective charge carrier separation. The intimate interaction between the materials is propitiously useful for charge transfer, thereby increasing the efficacy. In this study, the photocatalytic activity of a K_xNa_(1-x)NbO₃-BaBiO₃ (KNN-BBO) heterojunction material for the degradation of Rhodamine 6G organic dye was investigated. The materials were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption isotherms. The degradation efficiency of the organic contaminant under 1 sun simulated sunlight is monitored by spectral analysis from UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The resistance to charge transfer was also observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effect of the sintering temperature on the photoinduced degradation activity was also included in our study. An unsintered KNN-BBO (UKB) composite material is found to be the most efficient catalyst with 84% removal efficiency as compared to the sintered one (SKB). This is attributed to the reduced bandgap with staggered-type band alignment, increased surface area, and surface oxygen vacancy states. Together with the crucial findings of this work, a probable mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic activity has been proposed here.

In situ hydrothermal etching fabrication of CaTiO3 on TiO2 nanosheets with heterojunction effects to enhance CO2 adsorption and photocatalytic reduction

In situ fabricated CaTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction shows highly photocatalytic activity for reduction of CO₂ to CO with H₂O.

Visible-to-NIR Photon Harvesting: Progressive Engineering of Catalysts for Solar-Powered Environmental Purification and Fuel Production

Utilization of diffusive solar energy through photocatalytic processes for environmental purification and fuel production has long been pursued. However, efficient capture of visible-near-infrared (NIR) photons, especially for those with wavelengths longer than 600 nm, is a demanding quest in photocatalysis owing to their relatively low energy. In recent years, benefiting from the advances in photoactive material design, photocatalytic reaction system optimization, and new emerging mechanisms for long-wavelength photon activation, increasing numbers of studies on the harnessing of visible-NIR light for solar-to-chemical energy conversion have been reported. Here, the aim is to comprehensively summarize the progress in this area. The main strategies of the long-wavelength visible-NIR photon capture and the explicitly engineered material systems, i.e., narrow optical gap, photosensitizers, upconversion, and photothermal materials, are elaborated. In addition, the advances in long-wavelength light-driven photo- and photothermal-catalytic environmental remediation and fuel production are discussed. It is anticipated that this review presents the forefront achievements in visible-NIR photon capture and at the same time promotes the development of novel visible-NIR photon harnessing catalysts toward efficient solar energy utilization.

Synthesis of fern-like Ag/AgCl/CaTiO3 plasmonic photocatalysts and their enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

A novel visible-light-driven photocatalyst Ag/AgCl/CaTiO₃ was successfully synthesized via a simple ultrasonic assisted precipitation–photoreduction process.

Decoration of upconversion nanoparticles@mSiO2 core–shell nanostructures with CdS nanocrystals for excellent infrared light triggered photocatalysis

Upconversion nanoparticles@mesoporous silica (mSiO₂)/CdS nanostructures have been designed and fabricated for infrared light triggered photocatalytic degradation towards RhB dye.