Degradation of Formaldehyde and Benzene by TiO2 Photocatalytic Cement Based Materials

A novel photocatalytic cement based material was prepared. The distribution of TiO2 on the surface of cement was characterized by scanning electron microscope（SEM） and X-ray diffraction（XRD）, which showed the relationship of photocatalysis and presence of TiO2. TiO2 also had an impact on cement hydration, which was studied by thermal analysis. With 300 W UV illuminations, formaldehyde and benzene were degraded efficiently by the prepared photocatalytic cement based materials. 15wt% TiO2/cement showed the highest degradation efficiency and capability. The results show that formaldehyde and benzene can be degraded within 4 and 9 hours, respectively. Besides, inorganic ions can induce TiO2 agglomeration. As a result, the presence of inorganic ions in cement is unfavorable for degradation. The photocatalytic cement based materials were fabricated and the degradation efficiency of formaldehyde was measured on building roof under sunlight illumination. Formaldehyde in glass chamber can be degraded thoroughly within 10 days.

Special Issue on New Concepts and Advances in Photocatalytic Materials for Sustainable Energy

The use of solar energy to drive the chemical and energy processes,and the chemical storage of solar energy are the key elements to move to a low-carbon economy,sustainable society and to foster energy transition.For this reason,there is a fast-growing scientific interest on this subject,which is part of the general effort for a solar-driven chemistry and energy,the chemistry of the future.To realize this

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of cementitious material with TiO_2@Ag modified fly ash micro-aggregates

A TiO2 photocatalyst is coated on the surface of a zeolite fly ash bead（ZFAB） to improve its dispersability and exposure degree in a cement system.The application of Ag particles in TiO2/ZFAB modified cementitious materials is to further enhance the photocatalytic performance.Various Ag@TiO2/ZFAB modified cementitious specimens with different Ag dosages are prepared and the characteristics and photocatalytic performance of the prepared samples are investigated.It is observed that the multi-level pore structure of ZFAB can improve the exposure degree of TiO2 in a cement system and is also useful to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency.With an increment of the amounts of Ag particles in the TiO2/ZFAB modified cementitious samples,the photocatalytic activities increased first and then decreased.The optimal Ag@TiO2/ZFAB modified cementitious sample reveals the maximum reaction rate constant for degrading benzene（9.91×10^-3 min^-1）,which is approximately 3 and 10 times higher than those of TiO2/ZFAB and TiO2 modified samples,respectively.This suggests that suitable Ag particles coupled with a ZFAB carrier could effectively enhance the photocatalytic effects and use of TiO2 in a cement system.Thus,ZFAB as a carrier could provide a potential method for a high efficiency engineering application of TiO2 in the construction field.

Cu-Based Materials for Enhanced C_(2+) Product Selectivity in Photo-/Electro-Catalytic CO_(2) Reduction: Challenges and Prospects

Carbon dioxide conversion into valuable products using photocatalysis and electrocatalysis is an effective approach to mitigate global environmental issues and the energy shortages. Among the materials utilized for catalytic reduction of CO_(2), Cu-based materials are highly advantageous owing to their widespread availability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, Cu-based materials demonstrate interesting abilities in the adsorption and activation of carbon dioxide, allowing the formation of C_(2+) compounds through C–C coupling process. Herein, the basic principles of photocatalytic CO_(2) reduction reactions(PCO_(2)RR) and electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction reaction(ECO_(2)RR) and the pathways for the generation C_(2+) products are introduced. This review categorizes Cu-based materials into different groups including Cu metal, Cu oxides, Cu alloys, and Cu SACs, Cu heterojunctions based on their catalytic applications. The relationship between the Cu surfaces and their efficiency in both PCO_(2)RR and ECO_(2)RR is emphasized. Through a review of recent studies on PCO_(2)RR and ECO_(2)RR using Cu-based catalysts, the focus is on understanding the underlying reasons for the enhanced selectivity toward C_(2+) products. Finally, the opportunities and challenges associated with Cu-based materials in the CO_(2) catalytic reduction applications are presented, along with research directions that can guide for the design of highly active and selective Cu-based materials for CO_(2) reduction processes in the future.

Preparation and photocatalytic performance of porous ZnO microrods loaded with Ag

Porous silver-modified ZnO microrods photocatalysts were synthesized through direct thermal decomposition of the Ag-doped zinctartrate precursor,which was prepared by homogeneous precipitation method at 80 °C for 2 h.The obtained samples were characterized by XRD,FTIR,TG？DTA and UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy.The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared porous Ag/ZnO microrods was tested with the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange.The results indicate that doping Ag greatly improves the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO and 3% Ag-doped（mole fraction） ZnO porous microrod photocatalyst exhibits the highest photocatalytic decolorization efficiency,leading to as much as 80% reduction of MO concentration in 120 min.Moreover,the 3% Ag-doped porous microrods also possess higher photocatalytic activity under the real sunlight irradiation.

Rapid communication Preparation of TiO_2 nanometer thin films with high photocatalytic activity by reverse micellar method

Two kinds of TiO_2 nanometer thin films were prepared on stainless steel bythe reverse micellar and sol-gel methods, respectively. The calcined TiO_ 2 thin films werecharacterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), BET surface area and X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photocatalyticdecoloration of methyl orange aqueous solution. The results showed that the TiO_2 thin filmsprepared by reverse micellar method (designated as RM-TiO_2 films) showed higher photocatalyticactivity than those by sol-gel method (designated as SG-TiO_2 films). This is attributed to the factthat the former is composed of smaller monodispersed spherical particles with a size of about 15 nmand possesses higher surface areas.

Facile Fabrication of Fe2O3/Nitrogen Deficient g-C3N4-x Composite Catalysts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performances

The modification of graphitic carbon nitride can significantly improve the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride(g-C3N4).Fe2O3/nitrogen-deficient g-C3N4-x composite catalysts were prepared with dicyandiamide as the precursor and Fe3+doped in this study.The composite catalysts were characterized by XRD,SEM,FT-IR,XPS and photocurrent measurements.Close interaction occurred between Fe2O3 and nitrogen deficient g-C3N4-x,more photogenerated electrons were created and effectively separated from the holes,resulting in a decrease of photocarrier recombination,and thus enhancing the photocurrent.Photocatalytic performance experiments showed that Fe2O3/nitrogen deficient g-C3N4-x could utilize lowenergy visible light more efficiently than pure g-C3N4,and the removal rate was 92%in 60 minutes.

Enhanced Photoactivity of Layered Nanocomposite Materials Containing Rare Earths,Titanium Dioxide and Clay

The nanocomposite materials containing rare earths, titanium dioxide and clay (RE/TiO2/Clay) were characterized and tested for the photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde. The results show that nanocomposite materials prepared by doping appropriate rare earth elements have better photocatalytic properties than that prepared by doping excessive rare earth elements. The photocatalytic mechanism of composite materials was studied by integrating the theory of pho-tocatalysis with experiment results. Because the site of photocatalytic reaction was limited in the interspace of clay, photocatalytic reaction occurred by two steps: firstly, organic molecules dispersed into the interlayers of clay; secondly, organic molecules and photocatalyst of RE/TiO2 occurred photocatalytic reaction, resulting in forming carbon dioxide.

Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Nanocrystalline GdFeO_3

With Gd2O3, Fe （NO3）3· 9H2O, and nitric acid （ 1： 1 volume fraction） as starting materials, nanocrystalline material of rare-earth composite oxide GdFeO3 with perovskite-type structure was synthesized by sol-gel method in the system of citric acid. Structural characteristics were characterized by XRD and TEM, which indicate that the sample is nanocrystallite with uniform grain size distribution and the average grain size is about 21 nm. Its crystal structure includes a certain amount of lattice distortion due to decrease of grain size and increase of surface area. Photocatalytic properties of this material were tested by decolorization of various water-soluble dyes. Effects of irradiation time and amount of GdFeO3 on photocatalytic activity were also investigated. The results show that nano-sized GdFeO3 exhibits high photocatalytic activity and that increase of irradiation time and the amount of GdFeO3 can improve its photocatalytic activity.

Intrinsic photocatalytic water oxidation activity of Mn-doped ferroelectric BiFeO3

The development of stable and efficient visible light-absorbing oxide-based semiconductor photocatalysts is a desirable task for solar water splitting applications.Recently,we proposed that the low photocurrent density in film-based BiFeO_(3)(BFO)is due to charge recombination at the interface of the domain walls,which could be largely reduced in particulate photocatalyst systems.To demonstrate this hypothesis,in this work we synthesized particulate BFO and Mn-doped BiFeO_(3)(Mn-BFO)by the sol-gel method.Photocatalytic water oxidation tests showed that pure BFO had an intrinsic photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction(OER)activity of 70μmol h^(-1) g^(-1),while BFO-2,with an optimum amount of Mn doping(0.05%),showed an OER activity of 255μmol h^(-1) g^(-1) under visible light(λ≥420 nm)irradiation.The bandgap of Mn-doped BFO could be reduced from 2.1 to 1.36 eV by varying the amount of Mn doping.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations suggested that surface Fe(rather than Mn)species serve as the active sites for water oxidation,because the overpotential for water oxidation on Fe species after Mn doping is 0.51 V,which is the lowest value measured for the different Fe and Mn species examined in this study.The improved photocatalytic water oxidation activity of Mn-BFO is ascribed to the synergistic effect of the bandgap narrowing,which increases the absorption of visible light,reduces the activation energy of water oxidation,and inhibits the recombination of photogenerated charges.This work demonstrates that Mn doping is an effective strategy to enhance the intrinsic photocatalytic water oxidation activity of particulate ferroelectric BFO photocatalysts.

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of composite films containing clustered TiO_2 particles and mineral tourmaline powders

The novel composite films containing clustered TiO2 particles and fine tourmaline particles on the surface of copper webs were prepared by the sol-gel method. The microstructures of the composite films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the photocatalytic activity of the films was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, respectively. The results indicate that tourmaline particles can obviously influence the microstructures of TiO2 films and enhance the photocatalytic activity due to their spontaneous permanent polarity and high radiotechnology of far infrared. During preparing the composite films, the clustered TiO2 particles with lots of nano-sized ladder layers can grow on the surface of fine tourmaline particles, the thickness of ladder layer is 10 nm, and the average diameter of nano-sized TiO2 particles is 15 nm.

2D/2D S-scheme heterojunction with a covalent organic framework and g-C_(3)N_(4) nanosheets for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

The fabrication of S-scheme heterojunctions with fast charge transfer and good interface contacts,such as intermolecularπ–πinteractions,is a promising approach to improve photocatalytic performance.A unique two-dimensional/two-dimensional(2D/2D)S-scheme heterojunction containing TpPa-1-COF/g-C_(3)N_(4) nanosheets(denoted as TPCNNS)was developed.The established maximum interfacial interaction between TpPa-1-COF NS and g-C_(3)N_(4) NS may result in aπ–πconjugated heterointerface.Furthermore,the difference in the work functions of TpPa-1-COF and g-C_(3)N_(4) results in a large Fermi level gap,leading to upward/downward band edge bending.The spontaneous interfacial charge transfer from g-C_(3)N_(4) to TpPa-1-COF at theπ–πconjugated interface area results in the presence of a built-in electric field,according to the charge density difference analysis based on density functional theory calculations.Such an enhanced built-in electric field can efficiently drive directional charge migration via the S-scheme mechanism,which enhances charge separation and utilization.Thus,an approximately 2.8 and 5.6 times increase in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate was recorded in TPCNNS-2(1153μmol g^(-1) h^(-1))compared to pristine TpPa-1-COF and g-C_(3)N_(4) NS,respectively,under visible light irradiation.Overall,this work opens new avenues in the fabrication of 2D/2Dπ–πconjugated S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with highly efficient hydrogen evolution performance.

Effects of tourmaline on microstructures and photocatalytic activity of TiO_2/SiO_2 composite powders

The SiO2/TiO2 composite powders including mineral tourmaline powders (T/SiO2/TiO2) were prepared from a sol made by a two-step hydrolysis method, using metasilicate ester as precursor. The powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of the sample was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The effects of heat-treatment on the photocatalytic activity were discussed. It is found that the T/SiO2/TiO2 composite powders show higher photocatalytic activity when including 10% SiO2 and 4% tourmaline. Moreover, the photocatalytic mechanism of tourmaline on the powders was proposed.

单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe光催化水解性质的第一性原理研究

光催化水解制氢为解决能源危机和环境污染问题提供了一种可行的策略.本文通过第一性原理计算,提出了单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe是一种有效的水解光催化剂.结构稳定性分析表明,单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe具有能量和动力学稳定性.电子性质表明,单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe属于间接带隙半导体,有利于降低载流子的复合几率.光催化性能分析表明,单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe的能带边缘位置适合PH=0~14宽范围的光催化水解.此外,单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe具有较高的紫外光和可见光吸收、较大的内建电场、较小的载流子有效质量保证了光生载流子有效分离并快速迁移到反应活性位点参与水的氧化还原反应.研究结果为单层Janus Ga_(2)SSe的合成及其作为水解光催化剂的潜在应用提供了有价值的理论指导.

A Review on Crystalline Porous MOFs Materials in Photocatalytic Transformations of Organic Compounds in Recent Three Years

Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)have always been the focus of chemists due to their diverse structures,adjustable pore size and high stability since they came into being.In recent years,as one of the most significant applications of MOFs porous materials,photocatalytic organic compounds transformation has made full-grown progress both in the preparation of the catalysts themselves and in the scope of specific applications.Herein,we summarize the research progress of MOFs catalysts for photocatalytic transformations of organic compounds in recent three years.Some outstanding works on the preparation and synthesis strategies of photocatalysts are introduced firstly,including internal optimization and modification of MOFs,POM@MOF composite and core-shell MOF@COF hybrids.The second part is about the application of diverse types of organic reactions,including dual-function organic reactions,catalytic oxidation reactions,comprehensive utilization of CO_(2) and degradation of organic pollutants.Besides,the development opportunities and some problems to be solved in this field are proposed.

Bio-inspired Materials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

After millions of years of evolution,species in nature have structures and complex elements that are difficult to synthesize artificially.Moreover,these fine structures and compositions are often beneficial to improve the photocatalytic performance.Therefore,various materials with special morphology,pore structure and element composition derived from biomass have emerged and are widely used.This mini review focuses on the preparation of bio-inspired materials and their current status in photocatalytic hydrogen production.Hopefully,this will bring new perspectives to researchers and make them learn more about the advantages of"learning from nature"and pay more attention to the green design of material structures.

An overview of photocatalytic materials

Photocatalysis is an emerging technology that enables a wide variety of applications,including degradation of organics and dyes,antibacterial action,and fuel generation through water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction.Numerous inorganic semiconducting materials have been explored as photocatalysts,and the versatility of these materials and reactions has been expanded in recent years.Understanding the relationship between the physicochemical properties of photocatalytic materials and their performances as well as the fundamentals in catalytic processes is important to design and synthesis of photocatalytic materials.

Newly developed two-dimensional materials for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Due to the increasing environmental and energy issues, hydrogen, as a clean and non-carbon energy source, has received more and more attention in the past decades. Photocatalysis has been known as a promising approach for hydrogen generation and a key measure in solving serious environmental problems. Different from traditional catalysts, such as ZnO and TiO2, two-dimensional (2D) materials display unique advantages to hydrogen production due to their large specific surface area, high charge migration rate, tunable electronic structure and ultra-lightweight [1]. Especially, 2D materials show short migration distance for the generated electrons and holes, leading to the reduction of electron-hole recombination, which is one of the key factors affecting photocatalytic efficiency [2-4].

Hotspots of Photocatalytic Materials in 2020 Based on Big Data

Based on Cite Space software,big data bibliometrics analysis was carried out on the keywords of papers of photocatalytic materials published in 2020.Tracking the hotspots and directions can help young scholars to understand the latest progress.In the Web of Sciences,4147 related papers were searched with"photocatalytic materials"as the main topic.Cluster analysis showed that the hotspots were g-C_(3)N_(4),Mxene and metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and titanium dioxide (TiO_(2)).

Binary trinuclear metal-oxo sub-nanomaterials for photocatalytic hydrogen and chlorine production from seawater

Owing to the need for regenerant and self-reduction problem,the hydrogen performance of sub-nano-sized trinuclear iron-oxo complexes is still far from satisfied with affordability and practicality.Herein,two binary photocatalytic systems based on trinuclear metal-oxo complexes have been first constructed and experimentally confirmed to be competent for seawater hydrogen evolution(715.4and271.9μmol of hydrogen can be found,respectively,after 48h).Notably,chloride ions act as the hole catcher and move into the gas phase in the stable form of chlorine.Similar to heterogeneous structures,homogeneous systemsnot only enhance the hydrogen performance while ensuring the stability of metal-oxo complexes,but also shorten the consumption of photogenerated carriers by dissolved impurities in the seawater.This new attempt of building pluralistic sub-nanometric systems may offer novel design strategies with noble-metal-free catalysts and low-cost candidates for traditional semiconductor materials in enhancing photocatalytic efficiency and performing chlorine evolution from seawater splitting.