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Wengler-Rust S, Staechelin YU, Lange H, Weller H. Electron Donor-Specific Surface Interactions Promote the Photocatalytic Activity of Metal-Semiconductor Nanohybrids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401388. [PMID: 38634407 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
In the past two decades, the application of colloidal semiconductor-metal nanoparticles (NPs) as photocatalysts for the hydrogen generation from water has been extensively studied. The present body of literature studies agrees that the photocatalytic yield strongly depends on the electron donating agent (EDA) added for scavenging the photogenerated holes. The highest reported hydrogen production rates are obtained in the presence of ionic EDAs and at high pH. The large hydrogen production rates are attributed to fast hole transfer from the NP onto the EDAs. However, the present discussions do not treat the influence of EDA-specific surface interactions. This systematic study focuses on that aspect by combining steady-state hydrogen production measurements with time-resolved and static optical spectroscopy, employing 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid-capped, Pt-tipped CdSe/CdS dot-in-rods in the presence of a large set of EDAs. Based on the experimental results, two distinct EDA groups are identified: surface-active and diffusion-limited EDAs. The largest photocatalytic efficiencies are obtained in the presence of surface-active EDAs that induce an agglomeration of the NPs. This demonstrates that the introduction of surface-active EDAs can significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of the NPs, despite reducing their colloidal stability and inducing the formation of NP networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soenke Wengler-Rust
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yannic U Staechelin
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Lange
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Horst Weller
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, 22761, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer IAP-CAN, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
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Park B, Park WW, Choi JY, Choi W, Sung YM, Sul S, Kwon OH, Song H. Pt cocatalyst morphology on semiconductor nanorod photocatalysts enhances charge trapping and water reduction. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7553-7558. [PMID: 37449064 PMCID: PMC10337723 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01429k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In photocatalysis, metal-semiconductor hybrid structures have been proposed for ideal photocatalytic systems. In this study, we investigate the effect of morphology and surface nature of Pt cocatalysts on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity in Pt-tipped CdSe nanorods. Three distinct morphologies of Pt cocatalysts were synthesized and employed as visible light photocatalysts. The rough tips exhibit the highest activity, followed by the round and cubic tips. Kinetic investigations using transient absorption spectroscopy reveal that the cubic tips exhibit lower charge-separated states feasible for reacting with water and water reduction rates due to their defectless surface facets. In contrast, the rough tips show a similar charge-separation value but a two-fold higher surface reaction rate than the round tips, resulting in a significant enhancement of hydrogen evolution. These findings highlight the importance of rational design on metal cocatalysts in addition to the main semiconductor bodies for maximizing photocatalytic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bumjin Park
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Woo Park
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yong Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mo Sung
- Analytical Engineering Group, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Suwon 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Soohwan Sul
- Analytical Engineering Group, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Suwon 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Oh-Hoon Kwon
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoon Song
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
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Kumar K, Wächtler M. Unravelling Dynamics Involving Multiple Charge Carriers in Semiconductor Nanocrystals. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13091579. [PMID: 37177124 PMCID: PMC10181110 DOI: 10.3390/nano13091579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of colloidal nanocrystals as part of artificial photosynthetic systems has recently gained significant attention, owing to their strong light absorption and highly reproducible, tunable electronic and optical properties. The complete photocatalytic conversion of water to its components is yet to be achieved in a practically suitable and commercially viable manner. To complete this challenging task, we are required to fully understand the mechanistic aspects of the underlying light-driven processes involving not just single charge carriers but also multiple charge carriers in detail. This review focuses on recent progress in understanding charge carrier dynamics in semiconductor nanocrystals and the influence of various parameters such as dimension, composition, and cocatalysts. Transient absorption spectroscopic studies involving single and multiple charge carriers, and the challenges associated with the need for accumulation of multiple charge carriers to drive the targeted chemical reactions, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Kumar
- Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Wächtler
- Chemistry Department and State Research Center OPTIMAS, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Micheel M, Dong K, Amirav L, Wächtler M. Lateral charge migration in 1D semiconductor-metal hybrid photocatalytic systems. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:2882241. [PMID: 37093989 DOI: 10.1063/5.0144785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Colloidal nanorods based on CdS or CdSe, functionalized with metal particles, have proven to be efficient catalysts for light-driven hydrogen evolution. Seeded CdSe@CdS nanorods have shown increasing performance with increasing rod length. This observation was rationalized by the increasing lifetime of the separated charges, as a large distance between holes localized in the CdSe seed and electrons localized at the metal tip decreases their recombination rate. However, the impact of nanorod length on the electron-to-tip localization efficiency or pathway remained an open question. Therefore, we investigated the photo-induced electron transfer to the metal in a series of Ni-tipped CdSe@CdS nanorods with varying length. We find that the transfer processes occurring from the region close to the semiconductor-metal interface, the rod region, and the CdSe seed region depend in different ways on the rods' length. The rate of the fastest process from excitonic states generated directly at the interface is independent of the rod length, but the relative amplitude decreases with increasing rod length, as the weight of the interface region is decreasing. The transfer of electrons to the metal tip from excitons generated in the CdS rod region depends strongly on the length of the nanorods, which indicates an electron transport-limited process, i.e., electron diffusion toward the interface region, followed by fast interface crossing. The transfer originating from the CdSe excitonic states again shows no significant length dependence in its time constant, as it is probably limited by the rate of overcoming the shallow confinement in the CdSe seed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Micheel
- Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz-Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kaituo Dong
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, The Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Lilac Amirav
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, The Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Maria Wächtler
- Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz-Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Chemistry Department and State Research Center Optimas, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 52, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Shulenberger KE, Jilek MR, Sherman SJ, Hohman BT, Dukovic G. Electronic Structure and Excited State Dynamics of Cadmium Chalcogenide Nanorods. Chem Rev 2023; 123:3852-3903. [PMID: 36881852 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The cylindrical quasi-one-dimensional shape of colloidal semiconductor nanorods (NRs) gives them unique electronic structure and optical properties. In addition to the band gap tunability common to nanocrystals, NRs have polarized light absorption and emission and high molar absorptivities. NR-shaped heterostructures feature control of electron and hole locations as well as light emission energy and efficiency. We comprehensively review the electronic structure and optical properties of Cd-chalcogenide NRs and NR heterostructures (e.g., CdSe/CdS dot-in-rods, CdSe/ZnS rod-in-rods), which have been widely investigated over the last two decades due in part to promising optoelectronic applications. We start by describing methods for synthesizing these colloidal NRs. We then detail the electronic structure of single-component and heterostructure NRs and follow with a discussion of light absorption and emission in these materials. Next, we describe the excited state dynamics of these NRs, including carrier cooling, carrier and exciton migration, radiative and nonradiative recombination, multiexciton generation and dynamics, and processes that involve trapped carriers. Finally, we describe charge transfer from photoexcited NRs and connect the dynamics of these processes with light-driven chemistry. We end with an outlook that highlights some of the outstanding questions about the excited state properties of Cd-chalcogenide NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madison R Jilek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Skylar J Sherman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Benjamin T Hohman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Gordana Dukovic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
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Ben-Shahar Y, Stone D, Banin U. Rich Landscape of Colloidal Semiconductor-Metal Hybrid Nanostructures: Synthesis, Synergetic Characteristics, and Emerging Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:3790-3851. [PMID: 36735598 PMCID: PMC10103135 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Nanochemistry provides powerful synthetic tools allowing one to combine different materials on a single nanostructure, thus unfolding numerous possibilities to tailor their properties toward diverse functionalities. Herein, we review the progress in the field of semiconductor-metal hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) focusing on metal-chalcogenides-metal combined systems. The fundamental principles of their synthesis are discussed, leading to a myriad of possible hybrid architectures including Janus zero-dimensional quantum dot-based systems and anisotropic quasi 1D nanorods and quasi-2D platelets. The properties of HNPs are described with particular focus on emergent synergetic characteristics. Of these, the light-induced charge-separation effect across the semiconductor-metal nanojunction is of particular interest as a basis for the utilization of HNPs in photocatalytic applications. The extensive studies on the charge-separation behavior and its dependence on the HNPs structural characteristics, environmental and chemical conditions, and light excitation regime are surveyed. Combining the advanced synthetic control with the charge-separation effect has led to demonstration of various applications of HNPs in different fields. A particular promise lies in their functionality as photocatalysts for a variety of uses, including solar-to-fuel conversion, as a new type of photoinitiator for photopolymerization and 3D printing, and in novel chemical and biomedical uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Ben-Shahar
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Israel Institute for Biological Research, P.O. Box 19, Ness Ziona74100, Israel
| | - David Stone
- The Institute of Chemistry and Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem91904, Israel
| | - Uri Banin
- The Institute of Chemistry and Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem91904, Israel
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Sun F, Xu D, Xie Y, Liu F, Wang W, Shao H, Ma Q, Yu H, Yu W, Dong X. Tri-functional aerogel photocatalyst with an S-scheme heterojunction for the efficient removal of dyes and antibiotic and hydrogen generation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 628:614-626. [PMID: 36027772 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
A novel three-dimensional (3D) S-scheme S-gC3N4/TiO2/SiO2/PAN aerogel heterojunction photocatalyst (denoted as S-gTAHP) is rationally devised and manufactured by combining electrospinning, calcination, hydrothermal and freeze-drying techniques. The synthesized S-gC3N4 molecule is different from traditional g-C3N4, which has a small molecular structure similar to melamine. S-gC3N4 is embedded in the interwoven network structure of TiO2/PAN short fibers, and the catalytic system of the S-scheme heterojunction is formed with SiO2 as a crosslinking agent. S-gTAHP achieves perfect tri-functional photocatalytic capability, including remarkable hydrogen release capacity (806.7 μmol∙h-1∙g-1), efficient removal of three colored dyes with removal efficiencies up to 99.43% (MB, 15 min), 96.13% (RhB, 30 min) and 91.32% (MO, 40 min), and a degradation rate of the colorless antibiotic TCH reaching 84.20% in 40 min driven by simulated sunlight. Meanwhile, the effects of pH values and concentrations of contaminant solutions on the removal rates are explored, and the S-scheme mechanism of S-gTAHP strengthening photocatalytic activity is elucidated. The apparently heightened photocatalytic activities of S-gTAHP can be ascribed to the fact that the 3D hierarchical porous structure of the aerogel endows more active centers and enhanced light-harvesting capacity, and the S-scheme heterojunction supplies effective charge migrating channels, thereby affording the carriers with strong redox capability. Furthermore, S-gTAHP holds prominent reusability and is light weight. Hence, efficient and recyclable 3D aerogel photocatalysts with S-scheme heterojunctions have broad application prospects in practical sewage treatment and energy conversion fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Sun
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Da Xu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Yunrui Xie
- Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Feng Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Wenling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Hong Shao
- Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Qianli Ma
- Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Wensheng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Xiangting Dong
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China.
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Liu J, Bao Y, Liu Y, Yang J, Fujita T, Zeng D. Fast one-pot synthesis of a Se-rich MnCdSe solid solution for highly efficient cocatalyst-free photocatalytic H 2 evolution. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:6425-6428. [PMID: 35546312 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01952c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Designing high-efficiency and stable metal selenides for visible-light-induced photocatalytic H2 production has been challenging. Here, a novel class of Se-rich MnCdSe solid solution with a tunable band structure is fabricated through a fast one-pot strategy. In the absence of any cocatalysts, the optimal MnCdSe nanocrystals exhibit a much higher visible-light-driven H2 evolution activity (2582 μmol g-1 h-1) than the pristine CdSe (30 μmol g-1 h-1), and achieve an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 7.5% at 420 nm. This work opens a new gateway to explore metal selenide-based solid solutions for photocatalytic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieqian Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Yining Bao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Yimin Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Jingren Yang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Toyohisa Fujita
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Deqian Zeng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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