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García-Romeral N, Keyhanian M, Morales-García Á, Viñes F, Illas F. Understanding the Chemical Bond in Semiconductor/MXene Composites: TiO 2 Clusters Anchored on the Ti 2C MXene Surface. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400255. [PMID: 38251957 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400255] [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: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
First-principles calculations on titania clusters (TiO2)n (n=5 and 10) supported on the pristine Ti2C (0001) surface were carried out to understand the properties of semiconductor/MXene composites with implications in (photo)-catalysis. The reported results reveal a high exothermic interaction accompanied by a substantial charge transfer with a concomitant, notorious, deformation of the titania nanoclusters. The analysis of the density of states analysis of the composite systems evidences a metallic character with titania related states crossing the Fermi level. The picture of the chemical bonds is completed by the analysis of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectra (XPS) features, evidencing clear shifts of the C(1s) and O(1s) related peaks relative to the isolated systems that have a quite complex origin. This detailed analysis provides insights to experimentalists interested in the design and synthesis of these systems with possible applications in catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor García-Romeral
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/ Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Masoomeh Keyhanian
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, 47416-95447, Iran
| | - Ángel Morales-García
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/ Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Viñes
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/ Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Illas
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/ Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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Morales-García Á, Viñes F, Sousa C, Illas F. Toward a Rigorous Theoretical Description of Photocatalysis Using Realistic Models. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:3712-3720. [PMID: 37042213 PMCID: PMC10123813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This Perspective aims at providing a road map to computational heterogeneous photocatalysis highlighting the knowledge needed to boost the design of efficient photocatalysts. A plausible computational framework is suggested focusing on static and dynamic properties of the relevant excited states as well of the involved chemistry for the reactions of interest. This road map calls for explicitly exploring the nature of the charge carriers, the excited-state potential energy surface, and its time evolution. Excited-state descriptors are introduced to locate and characterize the electrons and holes generated upon excitation. Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations are proposed as a convenient tool to describe the time evolution of the photogenerated species and their propagation through the crystalline structure of photoactive material, ultimately providing information about the charge carrier lifetime. Finally, it is claimed that a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of heterogeneously photocatalyzed reactions demands the analysis of the excited-state potential energy surface.
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Allès M, Remesal ER, Illas F, Morales‐García Á. Structural and Electronic Properties of Metal/Oxide Nanostructures from First‐Principles: Ru
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Supported on (TiO
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as a Case Study. ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adts.202200670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Allès
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB) Universitat de Barcelona c/Martí i Franquès 1‐11 Barcelona 08028 Spain
| | - Elena R. Remesal
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB) Universitat de Barcelona c/Martí i Franquès 1‐11 Barcelona 08028 Spain
| | - Francesc Illas
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB) Universitat de Barcelona c/Martí i Franquès 1‐11 Barcelona 08028 Spain
| | - Ángel Morales‐García
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB) Universitat de Barcelona c/Martí i Franquès 1‐11 Barcelona 08028 Spain
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Samanta B, Morales-García Á, Illas F, Goga N, Anta JA, Calero S, Bieberle-Hütter A, Libisch F, Muñoz-García AB, Pavone M, Caspary Toroker M. Challenges of modeling nanostructured materials for photocatalytic water splitting. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:3794-3818. [PMID: 35439803 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00648g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the water splitting mechanism in photocatalysis is a rewarding goal as it will allow producing clean fuel for a sustainable life in the future. However, identifying the photocatalytic mechanisms by modeling photoactive nanoparticles requires sophisticated computational techniques based on multiscale modeling. In this review, we will survey the strengths and drawbacks of currently available theoretical methods at different length and accuracy scales. Understanding the surface-active site through Density Functional Theory (DFT) using new, more accurate exchange-correlation functionals plays a key role for surface engineering. Larger scale dynamics of the catalyst/electrolyte interface can be treated with Molecular Dynamics albeit there is a need for more generalizations of force fields. Monte Carlo and Continuum Modeling techniques are so far not the prominent path for modeling water splitting but interest is growing due to the lower computational cost and the feasibility to compare the modeling outcome directly to experimental data. The future challenges in modeling complex nano-photocatalysts involve combining different methods in a hierarchical way so that resources are spent wisely at each length scale, as well as accounting for excited states chemistry that is important for photocatalysis, a path that will bring devices closer to the theoretical limit of photocatalytic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipasa Samanta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3600003, Israel
| | - Ángel Morales-García
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francesc Illas
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física & Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Nicolae Goga
- Faculty of Engineering in Foreign Languages, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti, Bucuresti, Romania.
| | - Juan Antonio Anta
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Crta. De Utrera km. 1, 41089 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Sofia Calero
- Materials Simulation & Modeling, Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anja Bieberle-Hütter
- Electrochemical Materials and Interfaces, Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), 5600 HH Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Florian Libisch
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, TU Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ana B Muñoz-García
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Napoli 80126, Italy.
| | - Michele Pavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Napoli 80126, Italy.
| | - Maytal Caspary Toroker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3600003, Israel.,The Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3600003, Israel.
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Nunzi F, De Angelis F. Modeling titanium dioxide nanostructures for photocatalysis and photovoltaics. Chem Sci 2022; 13:9485-9497. [PMID: 36091912 PMCID: PMC9400622 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc02872g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogenous photocatalysis is regarded as a holy grail in relation to the energy and environmental issues with which our society is currently struggling. In this context, the characterization of titanium dioxide nanostructures and the relationships between structural/electronic parameters and chemical/physical–chemical properties is a primary target, whose achievement is in high demand. Theoretical simulations can strongly support experiments to reach this goal. While the bulk and surface properties of TiO2 materials are quite well understood, the field of nanostructures still presents a few unexplored areas. Here we consider possible approaches for the modeling of reduced and extended TiO2 nanostructures, and we review the main outcomes of the investigation of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles and their relationships with the size, morphology, and shape of the particles. Further investigations are highly desired to fill the gaps still remaining and to allow improvements in the efficiencies of these materials for photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications. The latest findings from theoretical investigations into TiO2 nanoparticles are reviewed, including both realistic models from a bottom-up approach (1–3 nm diameter) and cut from bulk models (>3 nm diameter) in a top-down approach.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Nunzi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia Via Elce di Sotto 8 06123 Perugia Italy
- Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche (SCITEC-CNR) Via Elce di Sotto 8 06123 Perugia Italy
| | - Filippo De Angelis
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia Via Elce di Sotto 8 06123 Perugia Italy
- Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche (SCITEC-CNR) Via Elce di Sotto 8 06123 Perugia Italy
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, College of Sciences and Human Studies, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University Khobar Dhahran 34754 Saudi Arabia
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Garcia JM, Heald LF, Shaffer RE, Sayres SG. Oscillation in Excited State Lifetimes with Size of Sub-nanometer Neutral (TiO 2) n Clusters Observed with Ultrafast Pump-Probe Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:4098-4103. [PMID: 33885304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Neutral titanium oxide clusters of up to 1 nm in diameter (TiO2)n, with n < 10, are produced in a laser vaporization source and subsequently ionized by a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses. Using a 400 nm pump and 800 nm probe lasers, the excited state lifetimes of neutral (TiO2)n clusters are measured. All clusters exhibit a rapid relaxation lifetime of ∼35 fs, followed by a sub-picosecond lifetime that we attribute to carrier recombination. The excited state lifetimes oscillate with size, with even-numbered clusters possessing longer lifetimes. Density functional theory calculations show the excited state lifetimes are correlated with charge carrier localization or polaron-like formation in the excited states of neutral clusters. Thus, structural rigidity is suggested as a feature for extending excited state lifetimes in titania materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M Garcia
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Lauren F Heald
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Ryan E Shaffer
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Scott G Sayres
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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Facile Synthesis of Potassium-Doped Titanium Oxide Nanostructure (KTiOxs)/AlO(OH) Composites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11050548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Generally, nanoparticles (NPs) are used as photocatalysts, which sometimes results in difficulties in the separation and recycling of photocatalysts from suspensions after their application in water and wastewater treatment, which hinders industrial applications of NPs that are too fine to be removed by gravitational settling. This can be solved by using support NPs to overcome these problems. -OH enrich AlO(OH), which is produced by a steam coating process, has been could be used as a possible support, because the -OH groups on the surface can interact with foreign molecules; thus, various composite functional materials can be prepared. Potassium doped titanium oxide NPs, which are produced by a wet corrosion process, namely KTiOxs, have been selected as photocatalysts, because KTiOxs have sufficient K+ ions, thereby expecting the chemical bonding with -OH group from AlO(OH). This study fabricated a novel photocataysis system made by combining KTiOxs as catalysts and AlO(OH) as the catalysts’ support, namely KTiOxs/AlO(OH) composites. The KTiOxs nanowires, obtained from 10 mol/L of a KOH solution treated with Ti and AlO(OH) at 280 °C for 24 h through a steam coating process, yielded the highest surface area and the highest photocatalytic performance.
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Di Liberto G, Tosoni S, Pacchioni G. Role of surface termination in forming type-II photocatalyst heterojunctions: the case of TiO 2/BiVO 4. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 33:075001. [PMID: 33086209 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/abc357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this work we investigate TiO2 and BiVO4 nanostructures by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, to provide an estimate of the band alignment in TiO2/BiVO4 interfaces, highly active in photo-electrochemistry and photocatalytic water splitting. Calculations were carried out with both DFT range separated and self-consistent dielectric dependent hybrid functionals (HSE06 and PBE0DD). The impact of systems' size has been investigated. The converged electronic levels of TiO2 and BiVO4 surfaces have been used to predict the band alignment in TiO2/BiVO4 heterostructures. Results indicated that when TiO2 (101) surface is matched with BiVO4 (110), a type-II alignment is obtained, where the band edges of BiVO4 are higher in energy that those of TiO2. This picture is favorable for charge-carriers separation upon photoexcitation, where electrons move toward TiO2 and holes toward BiVO4. On the contrary, if TiO2 (101) is interfaced to BiVO4 (010) the offset between the band edges is negligible, thus reducing the driving force toward separation of charge carriers. These results rationalize the dependence on the facet's exposure of the observed photocatalytic performances of TiO2/BiVO4 composites, where the TiO2 (101)/BiVO4 (110) interface outperforms the TiO2 (101)/BiVO4 (010) one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Di Liberto
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Tosoni
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Pacchioni
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
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Feng X, Liu Z, Qin L, Kang SZ, Li X. Photocatalytic activity and the electron transport mechanism of titanium dioxide microsphere/porphyrin implanted with small size copper. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:13528-13535. [PMID: 32510088 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01953d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
To obtain efficient photocatalysts by coupling architectures, developing novel materials and elucidating the charge transport mechanism at the semiconductor interface are vital. Herein, a special nanocomposite (TiO2 microsphere/CuNPs/THPP) for photocatalytic hydrogen production was facilely fabricated with copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) as the interfacial linker of the TiO2 microspheres and meso-tetra(p-hydroxypheny)porphyrin (THPP). The assembly mode of the nanocomposite was studied in detail. It was found that the CuNPs implanted at the interface of the TiO2 microspheres and THPP can dramatically strengthen the interaction between the TiO2 microspheres and THPP, and improve the separation and transfer of photo-produced charges. Therefore, the nanocomposite displayed excellent performance for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Moreover, by recycling hydrogen production, it is demonstrated that the nanocomposite was a highly efficient and long-term stable photocatalyst. By investigating the energy band location and the charge transfer, the photocatalytic mechanism over the special nanocomposite was explored and proposed to explain the better activity of the TiO2 microsphere/CuNPs/THPP photocatalytic system. It will be helpful to provide deep insights into the construction of efficient photocatalytic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyuan Feng
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Center of Graphene Research, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
| | - Zhiyuan Liu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Center of Graphene Research, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
| | - Lixia Qin
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Center of Graphene Research, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
| | - Shi-Zhao Kang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Center of Graphene Research, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
| | - Xiangqing Li
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Center of Graphene Research, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
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Kimber P, Plasser F. Toward an understanding of electronic excitation energies beyond the molecular orbital picture. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:6058-6080. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cp00369g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Can we gain an intuitive understanding of excitation energies beyond the molecular picture?
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Kimber
- Department of Chemistry
- Loughborough University
- Loughborough
- UK
| | - Felix Plasser
- Department of Chemistry
- Loughborough University
- Loughborough
- UK
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