Covalently linked thieno[2,3-b]thiophene-fullerene dimers: synthesis and physical characterization

Thienothiophene (TT) has received great attention in the fields of electronics and optoelectronics. Here we report a synthesis and characterization of fullerene-donor-fullerene triads linked to thieno[2,3-b]thiophene as a donor. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the new dumbbells were investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry. The results showed that both compounds have higher LUMO energy levels than PC61BM, indicating that they can be used in photovoltaic applications. Furthermore, the powder was structurally and morphologically characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM revealed the morphological characterization of the two derivatives as globular and urchin-like supramolecular assemblies.

Polypyrrole and a polypyrrole/nickel oxide composite – single-walled carbon nanotube enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

A novel NiO/PPy/SWCNT composite for removal of organic dyes with an emphasis on the effect of photocatalytic charge carrier transport and photoluminescence properties.

Bismuth-Graphene Nanohybrids: Synthesis, Reaction Mechanisms, and Photocatalytic Applications—A Review

Photocatalysis is a classical solution to energy conversion and environmental pollution control problems. In photocatalysis, the development and exploration of new visible light catalysts and their synthesis and modification strategies are crucial. It is also essential to understand the mechanism of these reactions in the various reaction media. Recently, bismuth and graphene’s unique geometrical and electronic properties have attracted considerable attention in photocatalysis. This review summarizes bismuth-graphene nanohybrids’ synthetic processes with various design considerations, fundamental mechanisms of action, heterogeneous photocatalysis, benefits, and challenges. Some key applications in energy conversion and environmental pollution control are discussed, such as CO2 reduction, water splitting, pollutant degradation, disinfection, and organic transformations. The detailed perspective of bismuth-graphene nanohybrids’ applications in various research fields presented herein should be of equal interest to academic and industrial scientists.

Recent Progress on Fullerene-Based Materials: Synthesis, Properties, Modifications, and Photocatalytic Applications

Solar light is an inexpensive energy source making up for energy shortage and solving serious environmental problems. For efficient utilization of solar energy, photocatalytic materials have attracted extensive attention over the last decades. As zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, fullerenes (C60, C70, etc.) have been extensively investigated for photocatalytic applications. Due to their unique properties, fullerenes can be used with other semiconductors as photocatalyst enhancers, and also as novel photocatalysts after being dispersed on non-semiconductors. This review summarizes fullerene-based materials (including fullerene/semiconductors and fullerene/non-semiconductors) for photocatalytic applications, such as water splitting, Cr (Ⅵ) reduction, pollutant degradation and bacterial disinfection. Firstly, the optical and electronic properties of fullerene are presented. Then, recent advances in the synthesis and photocatalytic mechanisms of fullerene-based photocatalysts are summarized. Furthermore, the effective performances of fullerene-based photocatalysts are discussed, mainly concerning photocatalytic H2 generation and pollutant removal. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of fullerene-based photocatalysts are proposed. It is expected that this review could bring a better understanding of fullerene-based photocatalysts for water treatment and environmental protection.

Fabrication of the heterojunction catalyst BiVO4/P25 and its visible-light photocatalytic activities

A heterojunction catalyst, BiVO4/P25, was successfully fabricated using a one-step hydrothermal method. The prepared composite was characterized using XRD, XPS, Raman, FT-IR, UV-vis, SEM, HRTEM and PL. The HRTEM pictures revealed that the heterostructured composite was composed of BiVO4 and P25, and from the pictures of SEM we could see the P25 nanoparticles assembling on the surface of flower-shaped BiVO4 nanostructures. The XPS spectra showed that the prepared catalyst consisted of Bi, V, O, Ti and C. The photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/P25 was evaluated by degraded methyl blue (MB) and tetracycline under visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm), and the results showed that BiVO4/P25 composite has a better photocatalytic performance compared with pure BiVO4 and the most active c-BiVO4/P25 sample showed enough catalytic stability after three successive reuses for MB photodegradation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could mainly be attributed to the better optical absorption ability and good absorption ability of organic contaminants.

Preparation and photocatalytic activity characterization of activated carbon fiber-BiVO4 composites

Herein, we describe the hydrothermal immobilization of BiVO₄ on activated carbon fibers (ACFs) and characterize the obtained composite by several instrumental techniques, using Reactive Black KN-B (RB5) as a model pollutant for photocatalytic performance evaluation and establishing the experimental conditions yielding maximal photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic degradation of RB5 is well fitted by a first-order kinetic model, and the good cycling stability and durability of BiVO₄@ACFs highlight the potential applicability of the proposed composite. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of BiVO₄@ACFs compared to those of BiVO₄ and ACFs individually was mechanistically rationalized, and the suggested mechanism was verified by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and RB5 degradation experiments. Thus, this work contributes to the development of BiVO₄@ACF composites as effective photocatalysts for environmental remediation applications.

Herein, we describe the hydrothermal immobilization of BiVO₄ on activated carbon fibers, using Reactive Black KN-B photocatalytic performance evaluation and establishing the experimental conditions yielding maximalphotocatalytic activity.

Synthesis of core–shell ZIF-67@Co-MOF-74 catalyst with controllable shell thickness and enhanced photocatalytic activity for visible light-driven water oxidation

Core–shell ZIF-67@Co-MOF-74 catalysts with improved photocatalytic properties were synthesized via the ligand exchange method.

Construction and mechanism of a highly efficient and stable Z-scheme Ag3PO4/reduced graphene oxide/Bi2MoO6 visible-light photocatalyst

A novel Ag₃PO₄/reduced graphene oxide/Bi₂MoO₆ (Ag₃PO₄/RGO/Bi₂MoO₆) Z-scheme photocatalyst has been successfully prepared by a precipitation-solvothermal method.

An efficient Nb-modified BiVO4 film for photo-induced bacterial inactivation and photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants

For the first time, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was inactivated using a Nb-modified BiVO₄ photocatalyst.