Immobilization of BiOX (X = Cl, Br) on activated carbon fibers as recycled photocatalysts

A state-of-the-art review on lignocellulosic biomass-derived activated carbon for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants: a property and mechanistic study

A promising water treatment method involves using biomass-derived activated carbon (AC) to remove emerging pollutants from wastewater due to its adsorption capacity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Notwithstanding, the existing literature lacks comprehensive studies that specifically focus on removing contaminants in water by comparing the effectiveness of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation methods. Additionally, there is not much emphasis on analyzing the combined processes of adsorption-photocatalytic degradation utilizing AC. Herein, this paper investigates the intricacies of adsorption-photocatalytic degradation mechanisms and contributing variables in the enhancement of performances using biomass-derived AC. Furthermore, this review paper presents a comprehensive examination of different biomass sources employed in the synthesis of AC. It also discusses the diverse techniques utilized for the fabrication of AC, including physical and chemical activation methods. Finally, the shortcomings and future prospects of biomass-derived AC have been addressed. This study offers significant insights for the development of future biomass-derived AC, with the goal of improving their efficiency and expanding their uses in wastewater treatment.

Applications of BiOX in the Photocatalytic Reactions

BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) families are a kind of new type of photocatalysts, which have attracted the attention of more and more researchers. The suitable band gaps and their convenient tunability via the change of X elements enable BiOX to adapt to many photocatalytic reactions. In addition, because of their characteristics of the unique layered structure and indirect bandgap semiconductor, BiOX exhibits excellent separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. Therefore, BiOX could usually demonstrate fine activity in many photocatalytic reactions. In this review, we will present the various applications and modification strategies of BiOX in photocatalytic reactions. Finally, based on a good understanding of the above issues, we will propose the future directions and feasibilities of the reasonable design of modification strategies of BiOX to obtain better photocatalytic activity toward various photocatalytic applications.

Promoting Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to C2 H4 Production by Inhibiting C2 H5 OH Desorption from Cu2 O/C Composite

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂ RR) has great potential in realizing carbon recycling while storing sustainable electricity as hydrocarbon fuels. However, it is still a challenge to enhance the selectivity of the CO₂ RR to single multi-carbon (C₂₊ ) product, such as C₂ H₄ . Here, an effective method is proposed to improve C₂ H₄ selectivity by inhibiting the production of the other competitive C₂ products, namely C₂ H₅ OH, from Cu₂ O/C composite. Density functional theory indicates that the heterogeneous structure between Cu₂ O and carbon is expected to inhibit C₂ H₅ OH production and promote CC coupling, which facilitates C₂ H₄ production. To prove this, a composite electrode containing octahedral Cu₂ O nanoparticles (NPs) (o-Cu₂ O) with {111} facets and carbon NPs is constructed, which experimentally inhibits C₂ H₅ OH production while strongly enhancing C₂ H₄ selectivity compared with o-Cu₂ O electrode. Furthermore, the surface hydroxylation of carbon can further improve the C₂ H₄ production of o-Cu₂ O/C electrode, exhibiting a high C₂ H₄ Faradaic efficiency of 67% and a high C₂ H₄ current density of 45 mA cm^-2 at -1.1 V in a near-neutral electrolyte. This work provides a new idea to improve C₂₊ selectivity by controlling products desorption.

State-of-the-art developments in carbon-based metal nanocomposites as a catalyst: photocatalysis

The rapid progress of state-of-the-art carbon-based metals as a catalyst is playing a central role in the research area of chemical and materials engineering for effective visible-light-induced catalytic applications. Numerous admirable catalysts have been fabricated, but significant challenges persist to lower the cost and increase the action of catalysts. The development of carbon-based nanostructured materials (i.e., activated carbon, carbon nitride, graphite, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, diamond, graphene, etc.) represents an admirable substitute to out-of-date catalysts. Significant efforts have been made by researchers toward the improvement of various carbon-based metal nanostructures as catalysts. Moreover, incredible development has been achieved in several fields of catalysis, such as visible-light-induced catalysis, electrochemical performance, energy storage, and conversion, etc. This review gives an overview of the up-to-date developments in the strategy of design and fabrication of carbon-based metal nanostructures as photo-catalysts by means of several methods within the green approach, including chemical synthesis, in situ growth, solution mixing, and hydrothermal approaches. Moreover, the photocatalytic effects of the resulting carbon-based nanostructure classifications are similarly deliberated relative to their eco-friendly applications, such as photocatalytic degradation of organic dye pollutants.

Recent Advances in Carbonaceous Photocatalysts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performances: A Mini Review

Photocatalytic processes based on various semiconductors have been widely utilized in different applications, with great potential for use in environmental pollution remediation and sustainable energy generation. However, critical issues, including low light adsorption capability, wide energy bandgap, and unsatisfactory physicochemical stability still seriously limit the practical applications of photocatalysts. As a solution, the introduction of carbonaceous materials with different structures and properties into a photocatalyst system to further increase the activity has attracted much research attention. This mini review surveys the related literatures and highlights recent progress in the development of carbonaceous photocatalysts, which include various metal semiconductors with activated carbon, carbon dots, carbon nanotubes/nanofibers, graphene, fullerene, and carbon sponges/aerogels. Moreover, graphitic carbon nitride is also discussed as a carbon-rich and metal-free photocatalyst. The recently developed synthesis strategies and proposed mechanisms underlying the photocatalytic activity enhancement for different applications are summarized and discussed. Finally, ongoing challenges and the developmental direction for carbonaceous photocatalysts are proposed.

Polystyrene-heterojunction semiconductor composite spheres prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis process: a recyclable photocatalyst under visible light irradiation for removing organic dyes from aqueous solution

The composite photocatalyst can absorb both insoluble and soluble organic dyes and can be recycled easily by filtering.

Core–shell Cd0.2Zn0.8S@BiOX (X = Cl, Br and I) microspheres: a family of hetero-structured catalysts with adjustable bandgaps, enhanced stability and photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

Core–shell Cd_0.2Zn_0.8S@BiOX microspheres with tunable bandgaps, enhanced stability and photocatalytic activity were fabricated via a facile solvothermal route.

Novel carbon sphere@Bi2MoO6core–shell structure for efficient visible light photocatalysis

Carbon sphere@Bi₂MoO₆core–shell structure composites were fabricatedviasolvothermal reaction for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation.