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Chen JQ, Cai YS, Yan X, Mo QL, Yuan JN, Liu CH, Wu Y, Xiao FX. Single-Atom Electron Pumps Over Transition Metal Chalcogenides Boosting Photocatalysis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2405228. [PMID: 39380390 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202405228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Cocatalyst is of paramount significance to provide fruitful active sites for suppressing the spatial charge recombination toward boosted photocatalysis. Up to date, exploration of robust and stable cocatalysts is remained challenging. Inspired by the intrinsic merits of single-atom catalysts (SACs), such as distinctive electronic structure and high atomic utilization efficiency, single-atom/transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) is utilized as a model to synthesize CdS-Pd single-atom catalyst (CdS-PdSA) heterostructures. This demonstrates the precise anchoring of isolated metal single-atom catalysts (SACs) onto TMCs through a simple yet effective wet-chemical strategy. The resulting heterostructures exhibit significantly enhanced and stable photocatalytic activity for selective anaerobic organic transformations and hydrogen production under visible light. This enhancement is primarily inferred due to the role of Pd SACs as electron pumps, which directionally trap the electrons photoexcited over CdS, accelerating the spatial charge separation and prolonging the carrier lifespan. The charge transport route and photocatalytic mechanism are elucidated. This work underscores the potential of SACs as cocatalysts in heterogeneous photocatalysis, offering valuable insights for the rational design of atomic-level cocatalysts for solar-to-chemical energy conversion and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Yu-Shan Cai
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Xian Yan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Qiao-Ling Mo
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Jiao-Nan Yuan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Chu-Hao Liu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Fang-Xing Xiao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
- China State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, P. R. China
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Liu JL, Yan X, Yuan JN, Wu Y, Wang X, Xiao FX. Identifying Root Origin of Insulating Polymer Mediated Solar Water Oxidation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2405514. [PMID: 39221645 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202405514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Rational construction of high-efficiency photoelectrodes with optimized carrier migration to the ideal active sites, is crucial for enhancing solar water oxidation. However, complexity in precisely modulating interface configuration and directional charge transfer pathways retards the design of robust and stable artificial photosystems. Herein, a straightforward yet effective strategy is developed for compact encapsulation of metal oxides (MOs) with an ultrathin non-conjugated polymer layer to modulate interfacial charge migration and separation. By periodically coating highly ordered TiO2 nanoarrays with oppositely charged polyelectrolyte of poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA), MOs/polymer composite photoanodes are readily fabricated under ambient conditions. It is verified that electrons photogenerated from the MOs substrate can be efficiently extracted by the ultrathin solid insulating PDDA layer, significantly boosting the carrier transport kinetics and enhancing charge separation of MOs, and thus triggering a remarkable enhancement in the solar water oxidation performance. The origins of the unexpected electron-withdrawing capability of such non-conjugated insulating polymer are unambiguously uncovered, and the scenario occurring at the interface of hybrid photoelectrodes is elucidated. The work would reinforce the fundamental understanding on the origins of generic charge transport capability of insulating polymer and benefit potential wide-spread utilization of insulating polymers as co-catalysts for solar energy conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Liang Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, New Campus, Fuzhou University, Minhou, Fujian, 350108, P. R. China
| | - Xian Yan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, New Campus, Fuzhou University, Minhou, Fujian, 350108, P. R. China
| | - Jiao-Nan Yuan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, New Campus, Fuzhou University, Minhou, Fujian, 350108, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, New Campus, Fuzhou University, Minhou, Fujian, 350108, P. R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, New Campus, Fuzhou University, Minhou, Fujian, 350108, P. R. China
| | - Fang-Xing Xiao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, New Campus, Fuzhou University, Minhou, Fujian, 350108, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, P. R. China
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Yan X, Yuan M, Yuan YL, Su P, Chen Q, Xiao FX. Photocarrier tunneling triggering CO 2 photocatalysis. Chem Sci 2024; 15:10625-10637. [PMID: 38994408 PMCID: PMC11234827 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02313g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Solar CO2 reduction to renewable hydrocarbon fuels offers a promising pathway to carbon neutrality, but it is retarded by tough CO2 activation, complicated mechanisms, sluggish charge transport kinetics, and a scarcity of strategies for precise tuning of charge transport pathways. Herein, we first conceptually design a novel insulating polymer-mediated electron-tunneling artificial photosystem via progressive interface configuration regulation, wherein tailor-made Ag@citrate nanocrystals (NCs) are controllably self-assembled on transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) assisted by an ultrathin insulating polymer interim layer, i.e., poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). In this multilayered nano-architecture, a solid ultra-thin insulating PAH interim layer serves as an unexpected charge tunneling mediator to stimulate smooth electron transfer from the TMC substrate to the terminal electron reservoirs of Ag@citrate NCs, engendering the tandem charge transfer route and significantly boosting the visible-light-driven photocatalytic CO2-to-syngas conversion performances. Furthermore, we have ascertained that such TMC-insulating polymer-metal NC tunneling photosystems are universal. This study would spark new inspiration for unleashing the long-term neglected charge tunneling capability of insulating polymers and diversifying non-conjugated polymer-based artificial photosystems for solar-to-fuel energy conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Yan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus Fujian Province 350108 China
| | - Meng Yuan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus Fujian Province 350108 China
| | - Ya-Long Yuan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus Fujian Province 350108 China
| | - Peng Su
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus Fujian Province 350108 China
| | - Qing Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus Fujian Province 350108 China
| | - Fang-Xing Xiao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus Fujian Province 350108 China
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences Fuzhou Fujian 350002 PR China
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Chen Q, Xiao Y, Xiao FX. Crafting Insulating Polymer Mediated and Atomically Precise Metal Nanoclusters Photosensitized Photosystems Towards Solar Water Oxidization. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:1471-1479. [PMID: 38173240 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c04083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) have been deemed as a new generation of metal nanomaterials because of their characteristic atomic stacking fashion, quantum confinement effect, and multitude of active sites. The discrete molecular-like energy band structure of metal NCs endows them with photosensitization capability for light harvesting and conversion. However, applications of metal NCs in photoelectrocatalysis are limited by the ultrafast charge recombination and unfavorable stability, impeding the construction of metal NC-based photosystems. In this work, we elaborately crafted multilayered metal oxide (MO)/(metal NCs/insulating polymer)n photoanodes by a facile layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. In these well-defined heterostructured photoanodes, glutathione (GSH)-wrapped metal NCs (Agx@GSH, Ag9@GSH6, Ag16@GSH9, and Ag31@GSH19) and an insulating poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) layer are alternately deposited on the MO substrate in a highly ordered integration mode. We found that photoelectrons of metal NCs can be tunneled into the MO substrate via the intermediate ultrathin insulating polymer layer by stimulating the tandem charge transfer route, thus facilitating charge separation and boosting photoelectrochemical water oxidation performances. Our work would open a new frontier for judiciously regulating directional charge transport over atomically precise metal NCs for solar-to-hydrogen conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Fang-Xing Xiao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian 350108, China
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Wu X, Hu B, Li D, Chen B, Huang Y, Xie Z, Li L, Shen N, Yang F, Shi W, Chen M, Zhu Y. Polymer Photocatalysts Containing Segregated π-Conjugation Units with Electron-Trap Activity for Efficient Natural-light-driven Bacterial Inactivation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202313787. [PMID: 37843427 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Development of highly efficient and metal-free photocatalysts for bacterial inactivation under natural light is a major challenge in photocatalytic antibiosis. Herein, we developed an acidizing solvent-thermal approach for inserting a non-conjugated ethylenediamine segment into the conjugated planes of 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic anhydride to generate a photocatalyst containing segregated π-conjugation units (EDA-PTCDA). Under natural light, EDA-PTCDA achieved 99.9 % inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (60 and 45 min), which is the highest efficiency among all the natural light antibacterial reports. The difference in the surface potential and excited charge density corroborated the possibility of a built-in electron-trap effect of the non-conjugated segments of EDA-PTCDA, thus forming a highly active EDA-PTDA/bacteria interface. In addition, EDA-PTCDA exhibited negligible toxicity and damage to normal tissue cells. This catalyst provides a new opportunity for photocatalytic antibiosis under natural light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Bochen Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Di Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Biyi Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yuanyong Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Zhongkai Xie
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Longhua Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Nanjun Shen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Fuchen Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Weidong Shi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, 415 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Yongfa Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Chen Q, Ge XZ, Yu L, Xiao FX. Atomically Precise Metal Nanocluster Photosystem: Electron Relay Boosts Photocatalytic Organic Transformation. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:19358-19365. [PMID: 37965749 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) demonstrate emerging potential as a new generation of photosensitizers in photoredox catalysis. However, metal NCs suffer from intrinsic poor instability, which leads to the loss of photosensitization effect and hampers their widespread applications in heterogeneous photocatalysis. Herein, we corroborate the design of a spatially directional charge transfer pathway over transition metal chalcogenide (TMC)-based heterostructures by way of a facile and efficient electrostatic self-assembly approach. Positively charged solid-state nonconjugated insulating polymer of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and negatively charged glutathione (GSH) capped metal NCs [Ag9@(GSH)6] as building blocks were controllably and highly ordered anchored on the TMC substrate. It was unveiled that owing to the appropriate energy level alignment and interface configuration, photogenerated electrons over metal NCs can directionally flow to the TMC substrate with the aid of PAH, which functions as an interfacial charge transfer mediator, and simultaneously holes migrate in the opposite direction, thereby collaboratively contributing to substantially boosted charge separation and prolonged charge lifetime. Benefiting from these merits, the thus self-assembled TMCs/PAH/metal NC heterostructure unfolds conspicuously enhanced photoactivity toward anaerobic selective photocatalytic reduction of nitroaromatics to amino derivatives under visible light irradiation. This work would significantly reinforce our fundamental understanding of the charge transfer characteristic of atomically precise metal NCs and the charge-withdrawing capability of solid insulating polymers for solar energy conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chen
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province350108, China
| | - Xing-Zu Ge
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, New Campus, Minhou, Fujian Province350108, China
| | - Linhui Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
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Steering Bi-directional Charge Transfer via Non-Conjugated Insulating Polymer. J Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2022.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Chen L, Wang Y, Dong S, Chen S, Luo S. Copolymerization Driven Construction of in-Plane Heterostructure for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance: Structure–Activity and Effects of Water Matrices. Catal Letters 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10562-022-04155-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Yuan L, Geng Z, Zhang S, Xu J, Guo F, Kumar Kundu B, Han C. Efficient all-in-one removal of total chromium over nonconjugated polymer-inorganic ZnIn 2S 4 semiconductor hybrid. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 628:100-108. [PMID: 35914422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.07.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr)-containing wastewater has caused a serious threat to the environment due to its high toxicity and mobility. The traditional Cr removal methods are generally based on an inconvenient two-step process with the first transformation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and the consecutive removal of Cr(III) by precipitation. Herein, we demonstrate the efficient all-in-one removal of total Cr through the simultaneous photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and in-situ fixation of Cr(III) over the nonconjugated polymer engineered ZnIn2S4 (P-ZIS) photocatalyst. By in-situ polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) modification of ZIS during the preparation process, the resulted P-ZIS can completely reduce Cr(VI) within 60 min under visible light irradiation. The kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction over P-ZIS is 2.8 times as that of pure ZIS, which is proved to be benefited from the enhanced light absorption, uplifted conduction band for strengthening reducibility, and accelerated charge carrier transfer. Moreover, as compared to ZIS, P-ZIS also exhibits significantly improved in-situ adsorption ability for Cr(III), thus resulting in efficient all-in-one elimination of total Cr within a single system. We show that this polymer engineered strategy could be a facile and versatile protocol for modulating the electronic structure and surface chemistry of the semiconductor photocatalysts towards complete, safe, and cost-efficient removal of Cr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Zhaoyi Geng
- Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Shen Zhang
- The PLA Rocket Force Command College, Wuhan 430012, China
| | - Jikun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Fen Guo
- Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Bidyut Kumar Kundu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States
| | - Chuang Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States.
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Mo QL, Fu XY, Wang K, Ge XZ, Hou S, Liu BJ, Xiao FX. Precise Interface Modulation Cascade Enables Unidirectional Charge Transport. J Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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