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Chen XL, Shan BF, Zhao ZY, Zhang J, Liu QJ. Tuning electronic structure for enhanced photocatalytic performance: theoretical and experimental investigation of CuM 1-xM' xO 2 (M, M' = B, Al, Ga, In) solid solutions. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:14583-14594. [PMID: 37782542 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt02670a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
This study introduces robust screening methodology for the efficient design of delafossite CuM1-xM'xO2 solid-solution photocatalysts using band-structure engineering. The investigation not only reveals the formation rules for various CuM1-xM'xO2 solid solutions but also highlights the dependence on both lattice compatibility and thermodynamic stability. Moreover, the study uncovers the nonlinear relationship between composition and band gaps in these solid solutions, with the bowing coefficient determined by the substitution constituents. By optimizing the constituent elements of the conduction band edge and adjusting solubility, the band structure of CuM1-xM'xO2 samples can be fine-tuned to the visible light region. Among the examined photocatalysts, CuAl0.5Ga0.5O2 exhibits the highest H2 evolution rate by striking a balance between visible-light absorption and sufficient reduction potential, showing improvements of 28.8 and 6.9 times those of CuAlO2 and CuGaO2, respectively. Additionally, CuGa0.9In0.1O2 demonstrates enhanced electron migration and surpasses CuGaO2 in H2 evolution due to a reduction in the effective mass of photogenerated electrons. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of theoretical predictions in synthesizing CuM1-xM'xO2 solid solutions and underscore the importance of rational substitution constituents in optimizing light absorption, reduction potentials, and effective mass for efficient hydrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Lan Chen
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, P. R. China.
- School of Chemistry and Resources Engineering, Honghe University, Mengzi 661199, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Feng Shan
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, P. R. China.
| | - Zong-Yan Zhao
- Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, P. R. China.
| | - Jin Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, P. R. China.
| | - Qing-Ju Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, 650091 Kunming, P. R. China.
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Tarighati Sareshkeh A, Seyed Dorraji MS, Karami Z, Shahmoradi S, Fekri E, Daneshvar H, Rasoulifard MH, Karimov DN. Preparation of high-crystalline and non-metal modified g-C 3N 4 for improving ultrasound-accelerated white-LED-light-driven photocatalytic performances. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15079. [PMID: 37699970 PMCID: PMC10497575 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As a non-metallic organic semiconductor, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has received much attention due to its unique physicochemical properties. However, the photocatalytic activity of this semiconductor faces challenges due to factors such as low electronic conductivity and limited active sites provided on its surface. The morphology and structure of g-C3N4, including macro/micro morphology, crystal structure and electronic structure can affect its catalytic activity. Non-metallic heteroatom doping is considered as an effective method to tune the optical, electronic and other physicochemical properties of g-C3N4. Here, we synthesized non-metal-doped highly crystalline g-C3N4 by one-pot calcination method, which enhanced the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 such as mesoporous nature, reduced band gap, wide-range photousability, improved charge carrier recombination, and the electrical conductivity was improved. Hence, the use of low-power white-LED-light illumination (λ ≥ 420 nm) and ultrasound (US) irradiation synergistically engendered the Methylene Blue (MB) mineralization efficiency elevated to 100% within 120 min by following the pseudo-first-order mechanism under the following condition (i.e., pH 11, 0.75 g L-1 of O-doped g-C3N4 and S-doped g-C3N4, 20 mg L-1 MB, 0.25 ml s-1 O2, and spontaneous raising temperature). In addition, the rapid removal of MB by sonophotocatalysis was 4 times higher than that of primary photocatalysis. And radical scavenging experiments showed that the maximum distribution of active species corresponds to superoxide radical [Formula: see text]. More importantly, the sonophotocatalytic degradation ability of O-doped g-C3N4 and S-doped g-C3N4 was remarkably sustained even after the sixth consecutive run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolreza Tarighati Sareshkeh
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mir Saeed Seyed Dorraji
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Zhaleh Karami
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Shahmoradi
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Elnaz Fekri
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hoda Daneshvar
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Rasoulifard
- Applied Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Denis N Karimov
- Federal Scientific Research Center "Crystallography and Photonics", Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt 59, 119333, Moscow, Russia.
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Gautam A, Sk S, Pal U. Recent advances in solution assisted synthesis of transition metal chalcogenides for photo-electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:20638-20673. [PMID: 36047908 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02089k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen evolution from water splitting is considered to be an important renewable clean energy source and alternative to fossil fuels for future energy sustainability. Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting is considered to be an effective method for the sustainable production of clean energy, H2. This perspective especially emphasizes research advances in the solution-assisted synthesis of transition metal chalcogenides for both photo and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution applications. Transition metal chalcogenides (CdS, MoS2, WS2, TiS2, TaS2, ReS2, MoSe2, and WSe2) have received intensified research interest over the past two decades on account of their unique properties and great potential across a wide range of applications. The photocatalytic activity of transition metal chalcogenides can further be improved by elemental doping, heterojunction formation with noble metals (Au, Pt, etc.), non-chalcogenides (MoS2, In2S3, NiS1-X), morphological tuning, through various solution-assisted synthesis processes, including liquid-phase exfoliation, heat-up, hot-injection methods, hydrothermal/solvothermal routes and template-mediated synthesis processes. In this review we will discuss recent developments in transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs), the role of TMCs for hydrogen production and various strategies for surface functionalization to increase their activity, different synthesis methods, and prospects of TMCs for hydrogen evolution. We have included a brief discussion on the effect of surface hydrogen binding energy and Gibbs free energy change for HER in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Gautam
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500007, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Saddam Sk
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500007, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Ujjwal Pal
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500007, India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
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MoS2 as a Co-Catalyst for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: A Mini Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103289. [PMID: 35630769 PMCID: PMC9145188 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), with a two-dimensional (2D) structure, has attracted huge research interest due to its unique electrical, optical, and physicochemical properties. MoS2 has been used as a co-catalyst for the synthesis of novel heterojunction composites with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production under solar light irradiation. In this review, we briefly highlight the atomic-scale structure of MoS2 nanosheets. The top-down and bottom-up synthetic methods of MoS2 nanosheets are described. Additionally, we discuss the formation of MoS2 heterostructures with titanium dioxide (TiO2), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and other semiconductors and co-catalysts for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation. This review addresses the challenges and future perspectives for enhancing solar hydrogen production performance in heterojunction materials using MoS2 as a co-catalyst.
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