Constructing a built-in electric field has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing charge separation and transfer,thereby improving photoelectrochemical performance.Recently,considerable efforts have been devoted to t...Constructing a built-in electric field has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing charge separation and transfer,thereby improving photoelectrochemical performance.Recently,considerable efforts have been devoted to this endeavor.This review systematically summarizes the impact of built-in electric fields on enhancing charge separation and transfer mechanisms,focusing on the modulation of built-in electric fields in terms of depth and orderliness.First,mechanisms and tuning strategies for built-in electric fields are explored.Then,the state-of-the-art works regarding built-in electric fields for modulating charge separation and transfer are summarized and categorized according to surface and interface depth.Finally,current strategies for constructing bulk built-in electric fields in photoelectrodes are explored,and insights into future developments for enhancing charge separation and transfer in high-performance photoelectrochemical applications are provided.展开更多
The development of novel single-atom catalysts with optimal electron configuration and economical noble-metal cocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production is of great importance,but still challenging.He...The development of novel single-atom catalysts with optimal electron configuration and economical noble-metal cocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production is of great importance,but still challenging.Herein,we fabricate Pt and Co single-atom sites successively on polymeric carbon nitride(CN).In this Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN bimetallic single-atom catalyst,the noble-metal active sites are maximized,and the single-atomic Co_(1)N_4sites are tuned to Co_(1)N_3sites by photogenerated electrons arising from the introduced single-atomic Pt_(1)N_4sites.Mechanism studies and density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the 3d orbitals of Co_(1)N_3single sites are filled with unpaired d-electrons,which lead to the improved visible-light response,carrier separation and charge migration for CN photocatalysts.Thereafter,the protons adsorption and activation are promoted.Taking this advantage of long-range electron synergy in bimetallic single atomic sites,the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity over Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN achieves 915.8 mmol g^(-1)Pt h^(-1),which is 19.8 times higher than Co_(1)/CN and 3.5 times higher to Pt_(1)/CN.While this electron-synergistic effect is not so efficient for Pt nanoclusters.These results demonstrate the synergistic effect at electron-level and provide electron-level guidance for the design of efficient photocatalysts.展开更多
Extremely high-temperature and high-pressure requirement of Haber-Bosch process motivates the search for a sustainable ammonia synthesis approach under mild conditions.Photocatalytic technology is a potential solution...Extremely high-temperature and high-pressure requirement of Haber-Bosch process motivates the search for a sustainable ammonia synthesis approach under mild conditions.Photocatalytic technology is a potential solution to convert N2 to ammonia.However,the poor light absorption and low charge carrier separation efficiency in conventional semiconductors are bottlenecks for the application of this technology.Herein,a facile synthesis of anatase TiO_(2)nanosheets with an abundance of surface oxygen vacancies(TiO_(2)-OV)via the calcination treatment was reported.Photocatalytic experiments of the prepared anatase TiO_(2)samples showed that TiO_(2)-OV nanosheets exhibited remarkably increased ammonia yield for solar-driven N2 fixation in pure water,without adding any sacrificial agents.EPR,XPS,XRD,UV-Vis DRS,TEM,Raman,and PL techniques were employed to systematically explore the possible enhanced mechanism.Studies revealed that the introduced surface oxygen vacancies significantly extended the light absorption capability in the visible region,decreased the adsorption and activation barriers of inert N2,and improved the separation and transfer efficiency of the photogenerated electronhole pairs.Thus,a high rate of ammonia evolution in TiO_(2)-OV was realized.This work offers a promising and sustainable approach for the efficient artificial photosynthesis of ammonia.展开更多
Junctions are an important structure that allows charge separation in solar cells and photocatalysts. Here, we studied the charge transfer at an anatase/rutile TiO2 phase junction using time-resolved photoluminescence...Junctions are an important structure that allows charge separation in solar cells and photocatalysts. Here, we studied the charge transfer at an anatase/rutile TiO2 phase junction using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Visible (-S00 nm) and near-infrared (NIR, -830 nm) emissions were monitored to give insight into the photoinduced charges of anatase and rutile in the junction, respectively, New fast photoluminescence decay components appeared in the visible emission of futile-phase dominated TiO2 and in the NIR emission of many mixed phase TiO2samples. The fast decays confirmed that the charge separation occurred at the phase junction. The visible emission intensity from the mixed phase TiO2 increased, revealing that charge transfer from rutile to anatase was the main pathway. The charge separation slowed the microsecond time scale photolumines- cence decay rate for charge carriers in both anatase and rutile. However, the millisecond decay of the charge carriers in anatase TiO2 was accelerated, while there was almost no change in the charge carrier dynamics of rutile TiO2. Thus, charge separation at the anatase/rutile phase junction caused an increase in the charge carrier concentration on a microsecond time scale, because of slower electron-hole recombination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity previously observed at ana- tase/rutile phase junctions is likely caused by the improved charge carrier dynamics we report here. These findings may contribute to the development of improved photocatalytic materials.展开更多
The unique photocatalytic mechanism of S-scheme heterojunction can be used to study new and efficient photocatalysts.By carefully selecting semiconductors for S-scheme heterojunction photo-catalysts,it is possible to ...The unique photocatalytic mechanism of S-scheme heterojunction can be used to study new and efficient photocatalysts.By carefully selecting semiconductors for S-scheme heterojunction photo-catalysts,it is possible to reduce the rate of photogenerated carrier recombination and increase the conversion efficiency of light into energy.Chalcogenides are a group of compounds that include sulfides and selenides(e.g.,CdS,ZnS,Bi_(2)S_(3),MoS_(2),ZnSe,CdSe,and CuSe).Chalcogenides have at-tracted considerable attention as heterojunction photocatalysts owing to their narrow bandgap,wide light absorption range,and excellent photoreduction properties.This paper presents a thor-ough analysis of S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts based on chalcogenides.Following an introduction to the fundamental characteristics and benefits of S-scheme heterojunction photocata-lysts,various chalcogenide-based S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst synthesis techniques are summarized.These photocatalysts are used in numerous significant photocatalytic reactions,in-cluding the reduction of carbon dioxide,synthesis of hydrogen peroxide,conversion of organic matter,generation of hydrogen from water,nitrogen fixation,degradation of organic pollutants,and sterilization.In addition,cutting-edge characterization techniques,including in situ characterization techniques,are discussed to validate the steady and transient states of photocatalysts with an S-scheme heterojunction.Finally,the design and challenges of chalcogenide-based S-scheme het-erojunction photocatalysts are explored and recommended in light of state-of-the-art research.展开更多
BiVO_(4)is one of the most promising photoanode materials for photoelectrochemical(PEC)solar energy conversion,but it still suffers from poor photocurrent density due to insufficient light‐harvesting efficiency(LHE),...BiVO_(4)is one of the most promising photoanode materials for photoelectrochemical(PEC)solar energy conversion,but it still suffers from poor photocurrent density due to insufficient light‐harvesting efficiency(LHE),weak photogenerated charge separation efficiency(Φ_(Sep)),and low water oxidation efficiency(Φ_(OX)).Herein,we tackle these challenges of the BiVO_(4)photoanodes using systematic engineering,including catalysis engineering,bandgap engineering,and morphology engineering.In particular,we deposit a NiCoO_(x)layer onto the BiVO_(4)photoanode as the oxygen evolution catalyst to enhance theΦ_(OX)of Fe‐g‐C_(3)N_(4)/BiVO_(4)for PEC water oxidation,and incorporate Fe‐doped graphite‐phase C_(3)N_(4)(Fe‐g‐C_(3)N_(4))into the BiVO_(4)photoanode to optimize the bandgap and surface areas to subsequently expand the light absorption range of the photoanode from 530 to 690 nm,increase the LHE andΦ_(Sep),and further improve the oxygen evolution reaction activity of the NiCoO_(x)catalytic layer.Consequently,the maximum photocurrent density of the as‐prepared NiCoO_(x)/Fe‐g‐C_(3)N_(4)/BiVO_(4)is remarkably boosted from 4.6 to 7.4 mA cm^(−2).This work suggests that the proposed systematic engineering strategy is exceptionally promising for improving LHE,Φ_(Sep),andΦ_(OX)of BiVO_(4)‐based photoanodes,which will substantially benefit the design,preparation,and large‐scale application of next‐generation high‐performance photoanodes.展开更多
Metal halide perovskite(MHP)has become one of the most promising materials for photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction owing to the wide light absorption range,negative conduction band position and high reduction ability.Howev...Metal halide perovskite(MHP)has become one of the most promising materials for photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction owing to the wide light absorption range,negative conduction band position and high reduction ability.However,photoreduction of CO_(2)by MHP remains a challenge because of the slow charge separation and transfer.Herein,a cobalt single-atom modified nitrogen-doped graphene(Co-NG)cocatalyst is prepared for enhanced photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction of bismuth-based MHP Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9).The optimal Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9)/Co-NG composite exhibits the CO production rate of 123.16μmol g-1 h-1,which is 17.3 times higher than that of Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9).Moreover,the Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9)/Co-NG composite photocatalyst exhibits nearly 100%CO selectivity as well as impressive long-term stability.Charge carrier dynamic characterizations such as Kelvin probe force microscopy(KPFM),single-particle PL microscope and transient absorption(TA)spectroscopy demonstrate the vital role of Co-NG cocatalyst in accelerating the transfer and separation of photogenerated charges and improving photocatalytic performance.The reaction mechanism has been demonstrated by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy measurement.In addition,in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy test and theoretical calculation reveal the reaction reactive sites and reaction energy barriers,demonstrating that the introduction of Co-NG promotes the formation of~(*)COOH intermediate,providing sufficient evidence for the highly selective generation of CO.This work provides an effective single-atom-based cocatalyst modification strategy for photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction and is expected to shed light on other photocatalytic applications.展开更多
Although the internal electric field(IEF)of photocatalysts is acknowledged as a potent driving force for photocharge separation,modulating the IEF intensity to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performances remains a ch...Although the internal electric field(IEF)of photocatalysts is acknowledged as a potent driving force for photocharge separation,modulating the IEF intensity to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performances remains a challenge.Herein,cuprous sulfide nanosheets with different Cu vacancy concentration were employed to study IEF modulation and corresponding direct charge transfer.Among the samples,Cu_(1.8)S nanosheets possessed intensified IEF intensity compared with those of Cu_(2)S and Cu_(1.95)S nanosheets,suggesting that an enhanced IEF intensity could be achieved by introducing more Cu vacancies.This intensified IEF of Cu_(1.8)S nanosheets induced numerous photogenerated electrons to migrate to its surface,and the dissociative electrons were then captured by Cu vacancies,resulting in efficient charge separation spatially.In addition,the Cu vacancies on Cu_(1.8)S nanosheets accumulated electrons as active sites to lower the energy barrier of rate-determining step of CO_(2)photoreduction,leading to the selective conversion of CO_(2)to CO.Herein,the manipulation of IEF intensity through Cu vacancy concentration regulation of cuprous sulfide photocatalysts for efficient charge separation has been discussed,providing a scientific strategy to rationally improve photocata lytic performances for solar energy conversion.展开更多
The fabrication of multicomponent heterojunctions is an effective strategy to improve the performance of TiO2 based photocatalysts. We provide a new strategy for improving the charge separation and photocatalytic perf...The fabrication of multicomponent heterojunctions is an effective strategy to improve the performance of TiO2 based photocatalysts. We provide a new strategy for improving the charge separation and photocatalytic performance of ZnO /TiO2 composites by the formation of multichannel charge separated heterojunctions. ZnO /P25 composites were prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method, and applied for the photocatalytic destruction of gaseous toluene. The ZnO /P25 composites consist of anatase TiO2(ATiO2), rutile TiO2(RTiO2) and hexagonal zincite structures. The parasitic phase of ZnO in P25 leads to the formation of ZnO(002)/ATiO2(101)/RTiO2(110) heterojunctions that exhibit enhanced light absorption and improved multichannel electron/hole separation. ZnO /P25 heterojunctions can completely oxidize toluene into CO2 and H2O under ultraviolet light irradiation at room temperature, and show enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison with P25 owing to the efficient electron-hole separation. Such a multichannel charge separated design strategy may provide new insight into the design of highly effective photocatalysts and their potential technological applications.展开更多
Photocatalysis. which utilizes solar energy to trigger chemical reactions, is one of the most desirable solar-energy-conversion approaches. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). as an attractive metal-free photocatalys...Photocatalysis. which utilizes solar energy to trigger chemical reactions, is one of the most desirable solar-energy-conversion approaches. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). as an attractive metal-free photocatalyst, has drawn worldwide research interest in the area of solar energy conversion due to its easy synthesis, earth-abundant nature, physicochemical stability and visible-light-responsive properties. Over the past ten years, g-C3N4 based photocatalysts have experienced intensive exploration, and great progress has been achieved. However, the solar conversion efficiency is still far from industrial applications due to the wide bandgap, severe charge recombination, and lack of surface active sites. Many strategies have been proposed to enhance the light absorption, reduce the recombination of charge carriers and accelerate the surface kinetics. This work makes a crucial review about the main contributions of various strategies to the light harvesting, charge separation and surface kinetics of g-C3N4 photocatalyst. Furthermore, the evaluation measurements for the enhanced light harvesting, reduced charge recombination and accelerated surface kinetics will be discussed. In addition, this review proposes future trends to enhance the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 photocatalyst for the solar energy conversion.展开更多
Heterostructured photocatalysts provide an effective way to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performances through efficient charge separation.Although both wide-and narrow-band-gap photocatalysts have been widely inves...Heterostructured photocatalysts provide an effective way to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performances through efficient charge separation.Although both wide-and narrow-band-gap photocatalysts have been widely investigated,the charge separation and transfer mechanism at the contacting interface of the two has not been fully revealed.Here,a novel SrTiO3/BiOI(STB)heterostructured photocatalyst was successfully fabricated by using a facile method.The heterostructure in the photocatalyst extends the photoabsorption to the visible light range,and thus,high photocatalytic NO removal performance can be achieved under visible light irradiation.A combination of experimental and theoretical evidences indicated that the photogenerated electrons from the BiOI semiconductor can directly transfer to the SrTiO3 surface through a preformed electron delivery channel.Enhanced electron transfer was expected between the SrTiO3 and BiOI surfaces under light irradiation,and leads to efficient ROS generation and thus a high NO conversion rate.Moreover,in situ diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy revealed that STB can better inhibit the accumulation of the toxic intermediate NO2 and catalyze the NO oxidation more effectively.This work presents a new insight into the mechanism of the interfacial charge separation in heterostructures and provides a simple strategy to promote the photocatalytic technology for efficient and safe air purification.展开更多
To further improve the charge separation and photocatalytic activities of g-C3N4 and CdMoO4 under visible light irradiation,CdMoO4/g-C3N4 composites were rationally synthesized by a facile precipitation-calcination pr...To further improve the charge separation and photocatalytic activities of g-C3N4 and CdMoO4 under visible light irradiation,CdMoO4/g-C3N4 composites were rationally synthesized by a facile precipitation-calcination procedure.The crystal phases,morphologies,chemical compositions,textural structures,and optical properties of the as-prepared composites were characterized by the corresponding analytical techniques.The photocatalytic activities toward degradation of rhodamine B solution were evaluated under visible light irradiation.The results revealed that integrating CdMoO4 with g-C3N4 could remarkably improve the charge separation and photocatalytic activity,compared with those of pristine g-C3N4 and CdMoO4.This would be because the CdMoO4/g-C3N4 composites could facilitate the transfer and separation of the photoexcited electron-hole pairs,which was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,transient photocurrent responses,and photoluminescence measurements.Moreover,active species trapping experiments demonstrated that holes(h+)and superoxide radicals(?O2?)were the main active species during the photocatalytic reaction.A possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed on the basis of the energy band structures determined by Mott-Schottky tests.This work would provide further insights into the rational fabrication of composites for organic contaminant removal.展开更多
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dot-modified Bi5O7 I(NPG/Bi5O7 I)nanorods were fabricated via a simple solvothermal method.The morphology,structure,and optical properties of the as-prepared samples w...Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dot-modified Bi5O7 I(NPG/Bi5O7 I)nanorods were fabricated via a simple solvothermal method.The morphology,structure,and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and diffused reflectance spectroscopy.The photocatalytic performance was estimated by degrading the broad-spectrum antibiotics tetracycline and enrofloxacin under visible light irradiation.The photodegradation activity of Bi5O7 I improved after its surface was modified with NPGs,which was attributed to an increase in the photogenerated charge transport rate and a decrease in the electron-hole pair recombination efficiency.From the electron spin resonance spectra,XPS valence band data,and free radical trapping experiment results,the main active substances involved in the photocatalytic degradation process were determined to be photogenerated holes and superoxide radicals.A possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism for NPG/Bi5O7 I nanorods was proposed.展开更多
Photocatalysis is considered as an ideal strategy for water pollution treatment.However,it remains challenging to design a highly efficient photo-catalytic system through regulating the charge flow via a precise appro...Photocatalysis is considered as an ideal strategy for water pollution treatment.However,it remains challenging to design a highly efficient photo-catalytic system through regulating the charge flow via a precise approach.In this work,a novel NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composite was constructed via self-assembly growing Bi2WO6 nanosheets on NH2-MIL-125(Ti)material.The characterization results demonstrated that NH2-MIL-125(Ti)was successfully incorporated into Bi2WO6 and the photoexcited carriers could be efficiently separated and transferred between the two components.NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composites displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the removal of rhodamine B(RhB)and tetracycline(TC)under visible light irradiation,and the optimal weight ratio of NH2-MIL-125(Ti)was determined to be 7 wt%.The introduction of NH2-MIL-125(Ti)into Bi2WO6 could raise the absorption of visible light,accelerate the separation and transfer of charge carriers,and boost photocatalytic activity.This research presents a wide range of possibilities for the further development of novel composites in the field of environment purification.展开更多
One dimensional(1D)semiconductor is a class of extensively attractive materials for many emerging solar energy conversion technologies.However,it is still of shortage to assess the impact of 1D structural symmetry on ...One dimensional(1D)semiconductor is a class of extensively attractive materials for many emerging solar energy conversion technologies.However,it is still of shortage to assess the impact of 1D structural symmetry on spatial charge separation and understand its underlying mechanism.Here we take controllably-synthesized 1D BiVO_(4)nanocones and nanorods as prototypes to study the influence of 1D symmetry on charge separation.It is found that the asymmetric BiVO_(4)nanocones enable more effective charge separation compared with the symmetric nanorods.The unexpected spatial charge separation on the nanocones is mainly ascribed to uneven light absorption induced diffusion-controllable charge separation due to symmetry breaking of 1D nanostructure,as evidenced by spatial and temporal resolved spectroscopy.Moreover,the promotion effect of charge separation on the nanocones was quantitatively evaluated to be over 20 times higher than that in BiVO_(4)nanorods.This work gives the first demonstration of the influence of 1D structural symmetry on the charge separation behavior,providing new insights to design and fabricate semiconductor materials for efficient solar energy conversion.展开更多
Understanding the processes of charge generation, transfer and capture is important for the design and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts. In this work, light-induced charge separation and effect of O_(2) on electr...Understanding the processes of charge generation, transfer and capture is important for the design and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts. In this work, light-induced charge separation and effect of O_(2) on electron transfer processes in SrTiO_(3) were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR). It was found that photoinduced electron transfer from O_(2)- to Ti^(4+) produced Ti^(3+) and O- redox radical pairs under vacuum condition. Under oxygen atmosphere, however, surface bound superoxide radicals O_(2)-were formed by electron reduction of adsorbed oxygen at initial photoirradiation stage, and quenched by the reverse electron transfer to Ti^(4+) upon further photoirradiation. Formation of long-lived charge separation associated [Ti^(3+)---O-] species and the reversibility of surface bound superoxide radicals mediating the processes of photogenerated electrons may be accountable for the high activity of SrTiO_(3) in photocatalytic water splitting reaction.展开更多
Artificial photosynthesis has gained increasing interest as a promising solution to the worldwide energy and environmental issues. A crucial requirement for realizing a sustainable system for artificial photosynthesis...Artificial photosynthesis has gained increasing interest as a promising solution to the worldwide energy and environmental issues. A crucial requirement for realizing a sustainable system for artificial photosynthesis is to explore low cost, highly-efficient and stable photoactive materials. Carbon nanodots(CNDs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their low cost, tunable chemistry and unique light-harvesting capability. Previous review articles have highlighted the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic applications of CNDs and CNDs-based composite photocatalysts. However, the control of the separation and transfer processes of photogenerated electron/hole pairs in CNDs has not been reviewed.This review summarizes the recent progress in the design of CNDs as new light-harvesting materials and highlights their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 photoreduction and environmental remediation. Strategies that have been employed to modulate the separation and transfer kinetics of photogenerated charge carriers in CNDs are discussed in detail. The challenges and new directions in this emerging area of research are also proposed.展开更多
Designing defect-engineered semiconductor heterojunctions can effectively promote the charge carrier separation.Herein,novel ceria(CeO2) quantum dots(QDs) decorated sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes(SCN NTs) were ...Designing defect-engineered semiconductor heterojunctions can effectively promote the charge carrier separation.Herein,novel ceria(CeO2) quantum dots(QDs) decorated sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes(SCN NTs) were synthesized via a thermal polycondensation coupled in situ depositionprecipitation method without use of template or surfactant.The structure and morphology studies indicate that ultrafine CeO2 QDs are well distributed inside and outside of SCN NTs offering highly dispersed active sites and a large contact interface between two components.This leads to the promoted formation of rich Ce^(3+) ion and oxygen vacancies as confirmed by XPS.The photocatalytic performance can be facilely modulated by the content of CeO2 QDs introduced in SCN matrix while bare CeO2 does not show activity of hydrogen production.The optimal catalyst with 10% of CeO2 loading yields a hydrogen evolution rate of 2923.8 μmol h-1 g-1 under visible light,remarkably higher than that of bare SCN and their physical mixtures.Further studies reveal that the abundant surface defects and the created 0 D/1 D junctions play a critical role in improving the separation and transfer of charge carriers,leading to superior solar hydrogen production and good stability.展开更多
We perform density functional theory calculations to investigate the polaron pair (charge transfer state) photo-generation in donor-acceptor oligomer methyl-capped (4,7- benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole-2,6-(4,4-bis(2-eth...We perform density functional theory calculations to investigate the polaron pair (charge transfer state) photo-generation in donor-acceptor oligomer methyl-capped (4,7- benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole-2,6-(4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopent a[1,2-b;3,4-b']dithiophene-4, 7-benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole) (CPDTBT). Results show that effective photo-generation of charge transfer state can happen in CPDTBT dimer when the group 4,7-benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole (BT) in one monomer deviates against the conjugated plane (onset torsion angle is about 20°). The lower excitation energy (530 nm) can only generate the intramolecular excitonic state, while the higher excitation energy (370 nm) can generate the intermolecular charge transfer state, in good agreement with the experiment. Moreover, the mechanism of charge separation in CPDTBT oligorners is discussed.展开更多
Although photocatalytic water splitting has excellent potential for converting solar energy into chemical energy,the challenging charge separation process and sluggish surface catalytic reactions significantly limit p...Although photocatalytic water splitting has excellent potential for converting solar energy into chemical energy,the challenging charge separation process and sluggish surface catalytic reactions significantly limit progress in solar energy conversion using semiconductor photocatalysts.Herein,we demonstrate a feasible strategy involving the surface assembly of cobalt oxide species(CoO_(x))on a visible-light-responsive Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S(CZS)photocatalyst to fabricate a hierarchical CZS@CoO_(x) heterostructure.The unique hierarchical structure effectively accelerates the directional transfer of photogenerated charges,reducing charge recombination through the smooth interfacial heterojunction between CZS and CoO_(x),as evidenced by photoluminescence(PL)spectroscopy and various electrochemical characterizations.The surface cobalt species on the CZS material also act as efficient cocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production,with activity even higher than that of noble metals.The well-defined CZS@CoO_(x) heterostructure not only enhances the interfacial separation of photoinduced charges,but also improves surface catalytic reactions.This leads to superior photocatalytic performances,with an apparent quantum efficiency of 20%at 420 nm for visible-light-driven hydrogen generation,which is one of the highest quantum efficiencies measured among noble-metal-free photocatalysts.Our work presents a potential pathway for controlling complex charge separation and catalytic reaction processes in photocatalysis,guiding the practical development of artificial photocatalysts for successful transformation of solar to chemical energy.展开更多
基金financially supported by the Industrial Technology Innovation Program of IMAST(No.2023JSYD 01003)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52104292 and U2341209)。
文摘Constructing a built-in electric field has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing charge separation and transfer,thereby improving photoelectrochemical performance.Recently,considerable efforts have been devoted to this endeavor.This review systematically summarizes the impact of built-in electric fields on enhancing charge separation and transfer mechanisms,focusing on the modulation of built-in electric fields in terms of depth and orderliness.First,mechanisms and tuning strategies for built-in electric fields are explored.Then,the state-of-the-art works regarding built-in electric fields for modulating charge separation and transfer are summarized and categorized according to surface and interface depth.Finally,current strategies for constructing bulk built-in electric fields in photoelectrodes are explored,and insights into future developments for enhancing charge separation and transfer in high-performance photoelectrochemical applications are provided.
基金the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22002118,22208262,52271228,52202298,52201279,51834009,51801151)the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2021JQ-468,2020JZ-47)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education (21JP086)the Postdoctoral Research Foundation of China (2020 M683528,2020TQ0245,2018M633643XB)the Hundred Talent Program of Shaanxi Province。
文摘The development of novel single-atom catalysts with optimal electron configuration and economical noble-metal cocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production is of great importance,but still challenging.Herein,we fabricate Pt and Co single-atom sites successively on polymeric carbon nitride(CN).In this Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN bimetallic single-atom catalyst,the noble-metal active sites are maximized,and the single-atomic Co_(1)N_4sites are tuned to Co_(1)N_3sites by photogenerated electrons arising from the introduced single-atomic Pt_(1)N_4sites.Mechanism studies and density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the 3d orbitals of Co_(1)N_3single sites are filled with unpaired d-electrons,which lead to the improved visible-light response,carrier separation and charge migration for CN photocatalysts.Thereafter,the protons adsorption and activation are promoted.Taking this advantage of long-range electron synergy in bimetallic single atomic sites,the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity over Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN achieves 915.8 mmol g^(-1)Pt h^(-1),which is 19.8 times higher than Co_(1)/CN and 3.5 times higher to Pt_(1)/CN.While this electron-synergistic effect is not so efficient for Pt nanoclusters.These results demonstrate the synergistic effect at electron-level and provide electron-level guidance for the design of efficient photocatalysts.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22108108,22205108,and No.22108106)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation No.2022M721381.
文摘Extremely high-temperature and high-pressure requirement of Haber-Bosch process motivates the search for a sustainable ammonia synthesis approach under mild conditions.Photocatalytic technology is a potential solution to convert N2 to ammonia.However,the poor light absorption and low charge carrier separation efficiency in conventional semiconductors are bottlenecks for the application of this technology.Herein,a facile synthesis of anatase TiO_(2)nanosheets with an abundance of surface oxygen vacancies(TiO_(2)-OV)via the calcination treatment was reported.Photocatalytic experiments of the prepared anatase TiO_(2)samples showed that TiO_(2)-OV nanosheets exhibited remarkably increased ammonia yield for solar-driven N2 fixation in pure water,without adding any sacrificial agents.EPR,XPS,XRD,UV-Vis DRS,TEM,Raman,and PL techniques were employed to systematically explore the possible enhanced mechanism.Studies revealed that the introduced surface oxygen vacancies significantly extended the light absorption capability in the visible region,decreased the adsorption and activation barriers of inert N2,and improved the separation and transfer efficiency of the photogenerated electronhole pairs.Thus,a high rate of ammonia evolution in TiO_(2)-OV was realized.This work offers a promising and sustainable approach for the efficient artificial photosynthesis of ammonia.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21203185, 21373209)the National Basic Research Program of China (2014CB239400)
文摘Junctions are an important structure that allows charge separation in solar cells and photocatalysts. Here, we studied the charge transfer at an anatase/rutile TiO2 phase junction using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Visible (-S00 nm) and near-infrared (NIR, -830 nm) emissions were monitored to give insight into the photoinduced charges of anatase and rutile in the junction, respectively, New fast photoluminescence decay components appeared in the visible emission of futile-phase dominated TiO2 and in the NIR emission of many mixed phase TiO2samples. The fast decays confirmed that the charge separation occurred at the phase junction. The visible emission intensity from the mixed phase TiO2 increased, revealing that charge transfer from rutile to anatase was the main pathway. The charge separation slowed the microsecond time scale photolumines- cence decay rate for charge carriers in both anatase and rutile. However, the millisecond decay of the charge carriers in anatase TiO2 was accelerated, while there was almost no change in the charge carrier dynamics of rutile TiO2. Thus, charge separation at the anatase/rutile phase junction caused an increase in the charge carrier concentration on a microsecond time scale, because of slower electron-hole recombination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity previously observed at ana- tase/rutile phase junctions is likely caused by the improved charge carrier dynamics we report here. These findings may contribute to the development of improved photocatalytic materials.
文摘The unique photocatalytic mechanism of S-scheme heterojunction can be used to study new and efficient photocatalysts.By carefully selecting semiconductors for S-scheme heterojunction photo-catalysts,it is possible to reduce the rate of photogenerated carrier recombination and increase the conversion efficiency of light into energy.Chalcogenides are a group of compounds that include sulfides and selenides(e.g.,CdS,ZnS,Bi_(2)S_(3),MoS_(2),ZnSe,CdSe,and CuSe).Chalcogenides have at-tracted considerable attention as heterojunction photocatalysts owing to their narrow bandgap,wide light absorption range,and excellent photoreduction properties.This paper presents a thor-ough analysis of S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts based on chalcogenides.Following an introduction to the fundamental characteristics and benefits of S-scheme heterojunction photocata-lysts,various chalcogenide-based S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst synthesis techniques are summarized.These photocatalysts are used in numerous significant photocatalytic reactions,in-cluding the reduction of carbon dioxide,synthesis of hydrogen peroxide,conversion of organic matter,generation of hydrogen from water,nitrogen fixation,degradation of organic pollutants,and sterilization.In addition,cutting-edge characterization techniques,including in situ characterization techniques,are discussed to validate the steady and transient states of photocatalysts with an S-scheme heterojunction.Finally,the design and challenges of chalcogenide-based S-scheme het-erojunction photocatalysts are explored and recommended in light of state-of-the-art research.
基金Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:22108042Guangzhou(202201020147)。
文摘BiVO_(4)is one of the most promising photoanode materials for photoelectrochemical(PEC)solar energy conversion,but it still suffers from poor photocurrent density due to insufficient light‐harvesting efficiency(LHE),weak photogenerated charge separation efficiency(Φ_(Sep)),and low water oxidation efficiency(Φ_(OX)).Herein,we tackle these challenges of the BiVO_(4)photoanodes using systematic engineering,including catalysis engineering,bandgap engineering,and morphology engineering.In particular,we deposit a NiCoO_(x)layer onto the BiVO_(4)photoanode as the oxygen evolution catalyst to enhance theΦ_(OX)of Fe‐g‐C_(3)N_(4)/BiVO_(4)for PEC water oxidation,and incorporate Fe‐doped graphite‐phase C_(3)N_(4)(Fe‐g‐C_(3)N_(4))into the BiVO_(4)photoanode to optimize the bandgap and surface areas to subsequently expand the light absorption range of the photoanode from 530 to 690 nm,increase the LHE andΦ_(Sep),and further improve the oxygen evolution reaction activity of the NiCoO_(x)catalytic layer.Consequently,the maximum photocurrent density of the as‐prepared NiCoO_(x)/Fe‐g‐C_(3)N_(4)/BiVO_(4)is remarkably boosted from 4.6 to 7.4 mA cm^(−2).This work suggests that the proposed systematic engineering strategy is exceptionally promising for improving LHE,Φ_(Sep),andΦ_(OX)of BiVO_(4)‐based photoanodes,which will substantially benefit the design,preparation,and large‐scale application of next‐generation high‐performance photoanodes.
文摘Metal halide perovskite(MHP)has become one of the most promising materials for photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction owing to the wide light absorption range,negative conduction band position and high reduction ability.However,photoreduction of CO_(2)by MHP remains a challenge because of the slow charge separation and transfer.Herein,a cobalt single-atom modified nitrogen-doped graphene(Co-NG)cocatalyst is prepared for enhanced photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction of bismuth-based MHP Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9).The optimal Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9)/Co-NG composite exhibits the CO production rate of 123.16μmol g-1 h-1,which is 17.3 times higher than that of Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9).Moreover,the Cs_(3)Bi_(2)Br_(9)/Co-NG composite photocatalyst exhibits nearly 100%CO selectivity as well as impressive long-term stability.Charge carrier dynamic characterizations such as Kelvin probe force microscopy(KPFM),single-particle PL microscope and transient absorption(TA)spectroscopy demonstrate the vital role of Co-NG cocatalyst in accelerating the transfer and separation of photogenerated charges and improving photocatalytic performance.The reaction mechanism has been demonstrated by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy measurement.In addition,in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy test and theoretical calculation reveal the reaction reactive sites and reaction energy barriers,demonstrating that the introduction of Co-NG promotes the formation of~(*)COOH intermediate,providing sufficient evidence for the highly selective generation of CO.This work provides an effective single-atom-based cocatalyst modification strategy for photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction and is expected to shed light on other photocatalytic applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52200123)the Open Project of Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education(GCP2022007)the Scientific Research and Innovation Team Program of Sichuan University of Science and Engineering(SUSE652A014)。
文摘Although the internal electric field(IEF)of photocatalysts is acknowledged as a potent driving force for photocharge separation,modulating the IEF intensity to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performances remains a challenge.Herein,cuprous sulfide nanosheets with different Cu vacancy concentration were employed to study IEF modulation and corresponding direct charge transfer.Among the samples,Cu_(1.8)S nanosheets possessed intensified IEF intensity compared with those of Cu_(2)S and Cu_(1.95)S nanosheets,suggesting that an enhanced IEF intensity could be achieved by introducing more Cu vacancies.This intensified IEF of Cu_(1.8)S nanosheets induced numerous photogenerated electrons to migrate to its surface,and the dissociative electrons were then captured by Cu vacancies,resulting in efficient charge separation spatially.In addition,the Cu vacancies on Cu_(1.8)S nanosheets accumulated electrons as active sites to lower the energy barrier of rate-determining step of CO_(2)photoreduction,leading to the selective conversion of CO_(2)to CO.Herein,the manipulation of IEF intensity through Cu vacancy concentration regulation of cuprous sulfide photocatalysts for efficient charge separation has been discussed,providing a scientific strategy to rationally improve photocata lytic performances for solar energy conversion.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21576298,21425627)the Science and Technology Plan Project of Guangdong Province(2013B090500029)+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(2014A030313135,2014A030308012)the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering(CRE-2015-C-301),China~~
文摘The fabrication of multicomponent heterojunctions is an effective strategy to improve the performance of TiO2 based photocatalysts. We provide a new strategy for improving the charge separation and photocatalytic performance of ZnO /TiO2 composites by the formation of multichannel charge separated heterojunctions. ZnO /P25 composites were prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method, and applied for the photocatalytic destruction of gaseous toluene. The ZnO /P25 composites consist of anatase TiO2(ATiO2), rutile TiO2(RTiO2) and hexagonal zincite structures. The parasitic phase of ZnO in P25 leads to the formation of ZnO(002)/ATiO2(101)/RTiO2(110) heterojunctions that exhibit enhanced light absorption and improved multichannel electron/hole separation. ZnO /P25 heterojunctions can completely oxidize toluene into CO2 and H2O under ultraviolet light irradiation at room temperature, and show enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison with P25 owing to the efficient electron-hole separation. Such a multichannel charge separated design strategy may provide new insight into the design of highly effective photocatalysts and their potential technological applications.
基金the Australian Research Council for the financial support through its DP and FF programsthe Australian Government for the financial support through the Australian Government Research Training Program ScholarshipThe financial support from National Science Foundation of China(No.513228201)
文摘Photocatalysis. which utilizes solar energy to trigger chemical reactions, is one of the most desirable solar-energy-conversion approaches. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). as an attractive metal-free photocatalyst, has drawn worldwide research interest in the area of solar energy conversion due to its easy synthesis, earth-abundant nature, physicochemical stability and visible-light-responsive properties. Over the past ten years, g-C3N4 based photocatalysts have experienced intensive exploration, and great progress has been achieved. However, the solar conversion efficiency is still far from industrial applications due to the wide bandgap, severe charge recombination, and lack of surface active sites. Many strategies have been proposed to enhance the light absorption, reduce the recombination of charge carriers and accelerate the surface kinetics. This work makes a crucial review about the main contributions of various strategies to the light harvesting, charge separation and surface kinetics of g-C3N4 photocatalyst. Furthermore, the evaluation measurements for the enhanced light harvesting, reduced charge recombination and accelerated surface kinetics will be discussed. In addition, this review proposes future trends to enhance the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 photocatalyst for the solar energy conversion.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21822601,21501016,21777011)the National R&D Program of China(2016YFC02047)+1 种基金the Innovative Research Team of Chongqing(CXTDG201602014)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing(cstc2017jcyj BX0052)~~
文摘Heterostructured photocatalysts provide an effective way to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performances through efficient charge separation.Although both wide-and narrow-band-gap photocatalysts have been widely investigated,the charge separation and transfer mechanism at the contacting interface of the two has not been fully revealed.Here,a novel SrTiO3/BiOI(STB)heterostructured photocatalyst was successfully fabricated by using a facile method.The heterostructure in the photocatalyst extends the photoabsorption to the visible light range,and thus,high photocatalytic NO removal performance can be achieved under visible light irradiation.A combination of experimental and theoretical evidences indicated that the photogenerated electrons from the BiOI semiconductor can directly transfer to the SrTiO3 surface through a preformed electron delivery channel.Enhanced electron transfer was expected between the SrTiO3 and BiOI surfaces under light irradiation,and leads to efficient ROS generation and thus a high NO conversion rate.Moreover,in situ diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy revealed that STB can better inhibit the accumulation of the toxic intermediate NO2 and catalyze the NO oxidation more effectively.This work presents a new insight into the mechanism of the interfacial charge separation in heterostructures and provides a simple strategy to promote the photocatalytic technology for efficient and safe air purification.
基金supported by the Open Project Program of Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science,Wuhan Polytechnic University(No.201808)Hubei Important Project of Technological Innovation(2018ABA094)~~
文摘To further improve the charge separation and photocatalytic activities of g-C3N4 and CdMoO4 under visible light irradiation,CdMoO4/g-C3N4 composites were rationally synthesized by a facile precipitation-calcination procedure.The crystal phases,morphologies,chemical compositions,textural structures,and optical properties of the as-prepared composites were characterized by the corresponding analytical techniques.The photocatalytic activities toward degradation of rhodamine B solution were evaluated under visible light irradiation.The results revealed that integrating CdMoO4 with g-C3N4 could remarkably improve the charge separation and photocatalytic activity,compared with those of pristine g-C3N4 and CdMoO4.This would be because the CdMoO4/g-C3N4 composites could facilitate the transfer and separation of the photoexcited electron-hole pairs,which was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,transient photocurrent responses,and photoluminescence measurements.Moreover,active species trapping experiments demonstrated that holes(h+)and superoxide radicals(?O2?)were the main active species during the photocatalytic reaction.A possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed on the basis of the energy band structures determined by Mott-Schottky tests.This work would provide further insights into the rational fabrication of composites for organic contaminant removal.
文摘Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dot-modified Bi5O7 I(NPG/Bi5O7 I)nanorods were fabricated via a simple solvothermal method.The morphology,structure,and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and diffused reflectance spectroscopy.The photocatalytic performance was estimated by degrading the broad-spectrum antibiotics tetracycline and enrofloxacin under visible light irradiation.The photodegradation activity of Bi5O7 I improved after its surface was modified with NPGs,which was attributed to an increase in the photogenerated charge transport rate and a decrease in the electron-hole pair recombination efficiency.From the electron spin resonance spectra,XPS valence band data,and free radical trapping experiment results,the main active substances involved in the photocatalytic degradation process were determined to be photogenerated holes and superoxide radicals.A possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism for NPG/Bi5O7 I nanorods was proposed.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21476098,21471069 and 21576123)and Jiangsu University Scientific Research Funding(No.11JDG0146).
文摘Photocatalysis is considered as an ideal strategy for water pollution treatment.However,it remains challenging to design a highly efficient photo-catalytic system through regulating the charge flow via a precise approach.In this work,a novel NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composite was constructed via self-assembly growing Bi2WO6 nanosheets on NH2-MIL-125(Ti)material.The characterization results demonstrated that NH2-MIL-125(Ti)was successfully incorporated into Bi2WO6 and the photoexcited carriers could be efficiently separated and transferred between the two components.NH2-MIL-125(Ti)/Bi2WO6 composites displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the removal of rhodamine B(RhB)and tetracycline(TC)under visible light irradiation,and the optimal weight ratio of NH2-MIL-125(Ti)was determined to be 7 wt%.The introduction of NH2-MIL-125(Ti)into Bi2WO6 could raise the absorption of visible light,accelerate the separation and transfer of charge carriers,and boost photocatalytic activity.This research presents a wide range of possibilities for the further development of novel composites in the field of environment purification.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21925206,21633009,21902156)the National Key R&D Program of China(2020YFA0406102)+2 种基金the DICP Foundation of Innovative Research(DICP I201927)the Dalian Science and Technology Innovation Fund(2020JJ26GX032)the Liaoning Doctor Scientific Research Initiation Fund(2019-BS-241)。
文摘One dimensional(1D)semiconductor is a class of extensively attractive materials for many emerging solar energy conversion technologies.However,it is still of shortage to assess the impact of 1D structural symmetry on spatial charge separation and understand its underlying mechanism.Here we take controllably-synthesized 1D BiVO_(4)nanocones and nanorods as prototypes to study the influence of 1D symmetry on charge separation.It is found that the asymmetric BiVO_(4)nanocones enable more effective charge separation compared with the symmetric nanorods.The unexpected spatial charge separation on the nanocones is mainly ascribed to uneven light absorption induced diffusion-controllable charge separation due to symmetry breaking of 1D nanostructure,as evidenced by spatial and temporal resolved spectroscopy.Moreover,the promotion effect of charge separation on the nanocones was quantitatively evaluated to be over 20 times higher than that in BiVO_(4)nanorods.This work gives the first demonstration of the influence of 1D structural symmetry on the charge separation behavior,providing new insights to design and fabricate semiconductor materials for efficient solar energy conversion.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China under contact No.2017YFA0204804the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contact Nos.21761142018,21473189 and 22088102 for supporting Fundamental Research Center of Artificial Photosynthesis(FRe CAP)。
文摘Understanding the processes of charge generation, transfer and capture is important for the design and synthesis of efficient photocatalysts. In this work, light-induced charge separation and effect of O_(2) on electron transfer processes in SrTiO_(3) were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR). It was found that photoinduced electron transfer from O_(2)- to Ti^(4+) produced Ti^(3+) and O- redox radical pairs under vacuum condition. Under oxygen atmosphere, however, surface bound superoxide radicals O_(2)-were formed by electron reduction of adsorbed oxygen at initial photoirradiation stage, and quenched by the reverse electron transfer to Ti^(4+) upon further photoirradiation. Formation of long-lived charge separation associated [Ti^(3+)---O-] species and the reversibility of surface bound superoxide radicals mediating the processes of photogenerated electrons may be accountable for the high activity of SrTiO_(3) in photocatalytic water splitting reaction.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21703039)。
文摘Artificial photosynthesis has gained increasing interest as a promising solution to the worldwide energy and environmental issues. A crucial requirement for realizing a sustainable system for artificial photosynthesis is to explore low cost, highly-efficient and stable photoactive materials. Carbon nanodots(CNDs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their low cost, tunable chemistry and unique light-harvesting capability. Previous review articles have highlighted the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic applications of CNDs and CNDs-based composite photocatalysts. However, the control of the separation and transfer processes of photogenerated electron/hole pairs in CNDs has not been reviewed.This review summarizes the recent progress in the design of CNDs as new light-harvesting materials and highlights their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 photoreduction and environmental remediation. Strategies that have been employed to modulate the separation and transfer kinetics of photogenerated charge carriers in CNDs are discussed in detail. The challenges and new directions in this emerging area of research are also proposed.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21872065, 21763013, and 21503100)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (20192ACBL21027 and 20192BAB203007)the Project of Education Department of Jiangxi Province (GJJ170227)。
文摘Designing defect-engineered semiconductor heterojunctions can effectively promote the charge carrier separation.Herein,novel ceria(CeO2) quantum dots(QDs) decorated sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes(SCN NTs) were synthesized via a thermal polycondensation coupled in situ depositionprecipitation method without use of template or surfactant.The structure and morphology studies indicate that ultrafine CeO2 QDs are well distributed inside and outside of SCN NTs offering highly dispersed active sites and a large contact interface between two components.This leads to the promoted formation of rich Ce^(3+) ion and oxygen vacancies as confirmed by XPS.The photocatalytic performance can be facilely modulated by the content of CeO2 QDs introduced in SCN matrix while bare CeO2 does not show activity of hydrogen production.The optimal catalyst with 10% of CeO2 loading yields a hydrogen evolution rate of 2923.8 μmol h-1 g-1 under visible light,remarkably higher than that of bare SCN and their physical mixtures.Further studies reveal that the abundant surface defects and the created 0 D/1 D junctions play a critical role in improving the separation and transfer of charge carriers,leading to superior solar hydrogen production and good stability.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.21473092)the Jiangsu Province Production and Joint Innovation Fund-Prospective Joint Research Project (No. BY2014007-01)
文摘We perform density functional theory calculations to investigate the polaron pair (charge transfer state) photo-generation in donor-acceptor oligomer methyl-capped (4,7- benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole-2,6-(4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopent a[1,2-b;3,4-b']dithiophene-4, 7-benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole) (CPDTBT). Results show that effective photo-generation of charge transfer state can happen in CPDTBT dimer when the group 4,7-benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole (BT) in one monomer deviates against the conjugated plane (onset torsion angle is about 20°). The lower excitation energy (530 nm) can only generate the intramolecular excitonic state, while the higher excitation energy (370 nm) can generate the intermolecular charge transfer state, in good agreement with the experiment. Moreover, the mechanism of charge separation in CPDTBT oligorners is discussed.
文摘Although photocatalytic water splitting has excellent potential for converting solar energy into chemical energy,the challenging charge separation process and sluggish surface catalytic reactions significantly limit progress in solar energy conversion using semiconductor photocatalysts.Herein,we demonstrate a feasible strategy involving the surface assembly of cobalt oxide species(CoO_(x))on a visible-light-responsive Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S(CZS)photocatalyst to fabricate a hierarchical CZS@CoO_(x) heterostructure.The unique hierarchical structure effectively accelerates the directional transfer of photogenerated charges,reducing charge recombination through the smooth interfacial heterojunction between CZS and CoO_(x),as evidenced by photoluminescence(PL)spectroscopy and various electrochemical characterizations.The surface cobalt species on the CZS material also act as efficient cocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production,with activity even higher than that of noble metals.The well-defined CZS@CoO_(x) heterostructure not only enhances the interfacial separation of photoinduced charges,but also improves surface catalytic reactions.This leads to superior photocatalytic performances,with an apparent quantum efficiency of 20%at 420 nm for visible-light-driven hydrogen generation,which is one of the highest quantum efficiencies measured among noble-metal-free photocatalysts.Our work presents a potential pathway for controlling complex charge separation and catalytic reaction processes in photocatalysis,guiding the practical development of artificial photocatalysts for successful transformation of solar to chemical energy.