Enhanced performance of dual-functional ZIF-8/red phosphorus photocatalysts for concurrent degradation of organic dyes and hydrogen generation under natural solar light irradiation

Herein, zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF)-8/red phosphorus photocatalysts were prepared via a solvothermal method for simultaneous organic dye degradation and hydrogen (H2) generation. The 5 wt% ZIF-8/RP photocatalyst achieved the highest H2 generation rate of 822.5 μmol h-1 g-1 and 92% rhodamine dye degradation under natural sunlight irradiation. This approach offers an effective strategy to replace costly and toxic traditional electron donors with organic dye pollutants for H2 generation.

Renaissance of elemental phosphorus materials: properties, synthesis, and applications in sustainable energy and environment

The polymorphism of phosphorus-based materials has garnered much research interest, and the variable chemical bonding structures give rise to a variety of micro and nanostructures. Among the different types of materials containing phosphorus, elemental phosphorus materials (EPMs) constitute the foundation for the synthesis of related compounds. EPMs are experiencing a renaissance in the post-graphene era, thanks to recent advancements in the scaling-down of black phosphorus, amorphous red phosphorus, violet phosphorus, and fibrous phosphorus and consequently, diverse classes of low-dimensional sheets, ribbons, and dots of EPMs with intriguing properties have been produced. The nanostructured EPMs featuring tunable bandgaps, moderate carrier mobility, and excellent optical absorption have shown great potential in energy conversion, energy storage, and environmental remediation. It is thus important to have a good understanding of the differences and interrelationships among diverse EPMs, their intrinsic physical and chemical properties, the synthesis of specific structures, and the selection of suitable nanostructures of EPMs for particular applications. In this comprehensive review, we aim to provide an in-depth analysis and discussion of the fundamental physicochemical properties, synthesis, and applications of EPMs in the areas of energy conversion, energy storage, and environmental remediation. Our evaluations are based on recent literature on well-established phosphorus allotropes and theoretical predictions of new EPMs. The objective of this review is to enhance our comprehension of the characteristics of EPMs, keep abreast of recent advances, and provide guidance for future research of EPMs in the fields of chemistry and materials science.

Amorphous CoSx decorated Cd0.5Zn0.5S with a bulk-twinned homojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Amorphous CoSx was combined with Twinned-Cd0.5Zn0.5S to construct homo-heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution. This work provides new ideas for constructing noble metal-free photocatalyst with homo-heterojunction.

Recent advances in Co-based co-catalysts for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Recent progress in photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction highlights the critical role of co-catalysts in enhancing the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency of diverse band-matched semiconductors. Because of the compositional flexibility, adjustable microstructure, tunable crystal phase and facet, cobalt-based co-catalysts have stimulated tremendous attention as they have high potential to promote hydrogen evolution reaction. However, a comprehensive review that specifically focuses on these promising materials has not been reported so far. Therefore, this present review emphasizes the recent progress in the pursuing of highly efficient Co-based co-catalysts for water splitting, and the advances in such materials are summarized through the analysis of structure-activity relationships. The fundamental principles of photocatalytic hydrogen production are profoundly outlined, followed by an elaborate discussion on the crucial parameters influencingthe reaction kinetics. Then, the co-catalytic reactivities of various Co-based materials involving Co, Co oxides, Co hydroxides, Co sulfides, Co phosphides and Co molecular complexes, etc, are thoroughly discussed when they are coupled with host semiconductors, with an insight towards the ultimateobjective of achieving a rationally designed photocatalyst for enhancing water splitting reaction dynamics. Finally, the current challenge and future perspective of Co-based co-catalysts as the promising noble-metal alternative materials for solar hydrogen generation are proposed and discussed.

Elemental red phosphorus-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation: A review

The low-cost and environmentally benign elemental red phosphorus (RP) is a new class of photocatalysts with tunable bandgaps (ca. 1.5-2.4 eV) and has a strong visible-light response. It has been considered as a promising metal-free photocatalyst for solving the energy crisis and environmental problems. Unfortunately, due to the low-charge carrier mobility, and serve charge trapping effects, its photocatalytic activity is still restricted in comparison with the traditional compound photocatalysts. Considerable efforts, such as morphology modification, cocatalysts addition, heterostructure construction, charge trapping mitigation, have been conducted to improve the photocatalytic activity of the RP photocatalysts. In this review, the physical and chemical properties and the synthetic strategies of the RP photocatalysts were summarized along with the application in environmental remediation accompanied by the photocatalytic reaction mechanism. Finally, an overview and outlook on the problems and future avenues in designing and constructing advanced RP photocatalysts were also proposed.

Recent Progress of Transition Metal Phosphides for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution can effectively alleviate the troublesome global energy crisis by converting solar energy into the chemical energy of hydrogen. In order to realize efficient hydrogen generation, a variety of semiconductor materials have been extensively investigated, including TiO₂ , CdS, g-C₃ N₄ , metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and others. In recent years, to achieve higher photocatalytic performance and reach the level of large-scale industrial applications, photocatalysts decorated with transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have shone brightly because of their low cost, stable physical and chemical properties, and substitution for precious metals of TMPs. This Review highlights the preparation methods and properties associated with photocatalysis of TMPs. Moreover, the H₂ generation efficiency of photocatalysts loaded with TMPs and the roles of TMPs in catalytic systems are also studied systematically. Apart from being co-catalysts, several TMPs can also serve as host catalysts to boost the activity of photocatalytic composites. Finally, the development prospects and challenges of TMPs are put forward, which is valuable for future researchers to expand the application of TMPs in photocatalytic directions and to develop more active photocatalytic systems.

Bifunctional black phosphorus: coupling with hematite for Z-scheme photocatalytic overall water splitting

Z-scheme 2D–2D BP/α-Fe₂O₃ heterostructure enables preferable photocatalytic properties for efficient overall water splitting under visible light.