CdBiO2Br nanosheets in situ strong coupling to carbonized polymer dots and improved photocatalytic activity for organic pollutants degradation

Carbonized polymer dots(CPDs)modified layer-structured CdBiO_(2)Br(CPDs/CdBiO_(2)Br)Z-scheme heterojunction hybrid material has been synthesized via simple solvothermal method.The hybrid material with Z-scheme heterojunction can effectively maintain the original highly oxidizing holes of CdBiO_(2)Br and the highly reducing electrons of CPDs.In addition,the construction of heterostructure is beneficial to the migration and separation of photogenerated carriers.Under visible light irradiation,6 wt%CPDs/CdBiO_(2)Br showed the best catalytic activity for degradation of organic pollutants.Free radical capture experiments and ESR analysis confirmed that the main active species are·O_(2)^(-)and h^(+).The decomposition process of organic pollutants was analyzed by LC-MS.Finally,the probable visible light mechanism performance of CPDs/CdBiO_(2)Br as direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalytic materials was proposed.

Self-adaptive bulk/surface engineering of Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z) towards enhanced photocatalysis:Current status and future challenges

The bulk/surface states of semiconductor photocatalysts are imperative parameters to maneuver their performance by significantly affecting the key processes of photocatalysis including light absorption,separation of charge carrier,and surface site reaction.Recent years have witnessed the encouraging progress of self-adaptive bulk/surface engineered Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z) for photocatalytic applications spanning various fields.However,despite the maturity of current research,the interaction between the bulk/surface state and the performance of Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z) has not yet been fully understood and highlighted.In this regard,a timely tutorial overview is quite urgent to summarize the most recent key progress and outline developing obstacles in this exciting area.Herein,the structural characteristics and fundamental principles of Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z)for driving photocatalytic reaction as well as related key issues are firstly reviewed.Then,we for the first time summarized different self-adaptive engineering processes over Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z)followed by a classification of the generation approaches towards diverse Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z)materials.The features of different strategies,the up-to-date characterization techniques to detect bulk/surface states,and the effect of bulk/surface states on improving the photoactivity of Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z)in expanded applications are further discussed.Finally,the present research status,challenges,and future research opportunities of self-adaptive bulk/surface engineered Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z)are prospected.It is anticipated that this critical review can trigger deeper investigations and attract upcoming innovative ideas on the rational design of Bi_(x)O_(y)Br_(z)-based photocatalysts.

Graphitized Cu-β-cyclodextrin polymer driving an efficient dual-reaction-center Fenton-like process by utilizing electrons of pollutants for water purification

Excessive consumption of energy and resources is a major challenge in wastewater treatment.Here,a novel heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst consisting of Cu-doped graphenelike catalysts (Cu-GCD NSs) was first synthesized by an enhanced carbothermal reduction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD).The catalyst exhibits excellent Fenton-like catalytic activity for the degradation of various pollutants under neutral conditions,accompanied by low H_(2)O_(2)consumption.The results of structural characterization and theoretical calculations confirmed that the dual reaction centers (DRCs) were constructed on Cu-GCD NSs surface through C-O-Cu bonds supported on zero-valent copper species,which play a significant role in the high-performance Fenton-like reaction.The pollutants that served as electron donors were decomposed in the electron-poor carbon centers,whereas H_(2)O_(2)and dissolved oxygen obtained these electrons in the electron-rich Cu centers through C-O-Cu bonds,thereby producing more active species.This study demonstrates that the electrons of pollutants can be efficiently utilized in Fenton-like reactions by DRCs on the catalyst surface,which provides an effective strategy to improve Fenton-like reactivity and reduce H_(2)O_(2)consumption.

Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Oxide and Chalcogenide-Based Photocatalysts

Two-dimensional(2D) transition metal oxide and chalcogenide(TMO&C)-based photocatalysts have recently attracted significant attention for addressing the current worldwide challenges of energy shortage and environmental pollution. The ultrahigh surface area and unconventional physiochemical, electronic and optical properties of 2D TMO&Cs have been demonstrated to facilitate photocatalytic applications. This review provides a concise overview of properties, synthesis methods and applications of 2D TMO&C-based photocatalysts. Particular attention is paid on the emerging strategies to improve the abilities of light harvesting and photoinduced charge separation for enhancing photocatalytic performances,which include elemental doping, surface functionalization as well as heterojunctions with semiconducting and conductive materials. The future opportunities regarding the research pathways of 2D TMO&C-based photocatalysts are also presented.

SYNTHESIS OF HYDROPHILIC ZnS NANOCRYSTALS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF DYE POLLUTANTS

Hydrophilic ZnS nanocrystals with narrow size distribution were synthesized via homogeneous precipita- tion using EDTA as stabilizer. The as-synthesized products were characterized with XRD, TEM, HRTEM and UV-Vis spectrum. UV-Vis spectra showed that ZnS nanocrystals exhibited strong quantum-confined effect with a blue shift in the band gap of light absorbance. The photocatalytic activity of these nanocrystals was also investigated for the liquid phase photocatalytic degradation of Basic Violet 5BN (BV5) dye under UV irradiation. It was found that the ZnS nanocrystals had good catalytic activity for photodegradation of BV5.

Recent Progress,Challenges,and Prospects in Two‑Dimensional Photo‑Catalyst Materials and Environmental Remediation

The successful photo-catalyst library gives significant information on feature that affects photo-catalytic performance and proposes new materials.Competency is considerably significant to form multi-functional photo-catalysts with flexible characteristics.Since recently,two-dimensional materials(2DMs)gained much attention from researchers,due to their unique thickness-dependent uses,mainly for photo-catalytic,outstanding chemical and physical properties.Photo-catalytic water splitting and hydrogen(H2)evolution by plentiful compounds as electron(e−)donors is estimated to participate in constructing clean method for solar H2-formation.Heterogeneous photocatalysis received much research attention caused by their applications to tackle numerous energy and environmental issues.This broad review explains progress regarding 2DMs,significance in structure,and catalytic results.We will discuss in detail current progresses of approaches for adjusting 2DMs-based photo-catalysts to assess their photo-activity including doping,hetero-structure scheme,and functional formation assembly.Suggested plans,e.g.,doping and sensitization of semiconducting 2DMs,increasing electrical conductance,improving catalytic active sites,strengthening interface coupling in semiconductors(SCs)2DMs,forming nano-structures,building multi-junction nano-composites,increasing photo-stability of SCs,and using combined results of adapted approaches,are summed up.Hence,to further improve 2DMs photo-catalyst properties,hetero-structure design-based 2DMs’photo-catalyst basic mechanism is also reviewed.

Effect of dye-metal complexation on photocatalytic decomposition of the dyes on TiO_2 under visible irradiation

The photocatalytic degradation of dyes （Acid Chrome Blue K （ACBK） and Alizarin Red （AR）） with strong complexation ability was investigated in the presence of metal ions under visible light irradiation. It was found that, at low dye-metal ratio, the photodegradation of ACBK was markedly inhibited by the addition of high oxidative potential Cu2＋. However, at high dye-metal ratio, the presence of Cu2＋ enhanced the photodegradation of ACBK. The negtive effect of Cu2＋ on the photodegradation of AR was observed for all dyemetal ratios. The relative chemical inert Zn2＋ tended to enhance the photodegradation of both anionic dyes. The mechanism underlying the different effect of Cu2＋ was discussed from the different roles of surface-adsorbed and dye-coordinated Cu2＋ in the photodegradation of dyes.

Phosphorene-Based Heterostructured Photocatalysts

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a potential pathway to solve the problems of global energy shortage and environmental pollution.Black phosphorus(BP)has been widely used in the field of photocatalysis owing to its features of high hole mobility,adjustable bandgap,and wide optical absorption range.Nevertheless,pristine BP still exhibits unsatisfactory photocatalytic activity due to the low separation efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers.In recent years,the construction of heterostructured photocatalysts based on BP has become a research hotspot in photocatalysis with the remarkable improvement of photoexcited charge-separation efficiency.Herein,progress on the design,synthesis,properties,and applications of BP and its corresponding heterostructured photocatalysts is summarized.Furthermore,the photocatalytic applications of BP-based heterostructured photocatalysts in water splitting,pollutant degradation,carbon dioxide reduction,nitrogen fixation,bacterial disinfection,and organic synthesis are reviewed.Opportunities and challenges for the exploration of advanced BP-based heterostructured photocatalysts are presented.This review will promote the development and applications of BP-based heterostructured photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental remediation.

BiVO_4 Photoanode with Exposed(040) Facets for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

A BiVO_4 photoanode with exposed(040) facets was prepared to enhance its photoelectrochemical performance.The exposure of the(040) crystal planes of the BiVO_4 film was induced by adding NaCl to the precursor solution. The asprepared BiVO_4 photoanode exhibits higher solar-light absorption and charge-separation efficiency compared to those of an anode prepared without adding Na Cl. To our knowledge,the photocurrent density(1.26 m A cm^(-2) at 1.23 V vs. RHE) of as-prepared BiVO_4 photoanode is the highest according to the reports for bare BiVO_4 films under simulated AM1.5 G solar light, and the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency is above 35% at 400 nm. The photoelectrochemical(PEC)water-splitting performance was also dramatically improvedwith a hydrogen evolution rate of 9.11 lmol cm^(-2) h^(-1), which is five times compared with the BiVO_4 photoanode prepared without NaCl(1.82 lmol cm^(-2) h^(-1)). Intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy and transient photocurrent measurements show a higher charge-carrier-transfer rate for this photoanode. These results demonstrate a promising approach for the development of high-performance BiVO_4 photoanodes which can be used for efficient PEC water splitting and degradation of organic pollutants.

One-step synthesis of triazine-based covalent organic frameworks at room temperature for efficient photodegradation of bisphenol A under visible light irradiation

Herein,a novel visible-light-responsive photocatalyst with high efficiency was firstly synthesized at room temperature.The mild synthetic method resulted in a uniform spherical triazine-based covalent organic framework(TrCOF2)with ultra-high specific surface area as well as chemical stability.Due to the synergistic effect between the self-assembled uniform spherical structure and the abundant triazine-based structure,photoelectron–hole pairs were efficiently separated and migrated on the catalysts.On this basis,TrCOF2 was successfully applied to efficiently degrade bisphenol A(BPA).More than 98%of BPA was deraded after 60 min of visible light treatment,where the active specie of•O_(2)^(−)played a vital role during the degradation of BPA.The holes of TrCOF2 could produce O_(2)by direct reaction with water or hydroxide ions.Simultaneously,photoelectrons can be captured by O_(2)to generate•O_(2)^(−).Moreover,density functional theory(DFT)calculations proved the outstanding ability of the exciting electronic conductivity.Remarkably,a reasonable photocatalytic mechanism for TrCOF2 catalysts was proposed.This research can provide a facile strategy for the synthesis of TrCOFs catalysts at room temperature,which unfolds broad application prospects in the environmental field.

One-step synthesis of three-dimensional mesoporous Co_(3)O_(4)@Al_(2)O_(3)nanocomposites with deep eutectic solvent:An efficient and stable peroxymonosulfate activator for organic pollutant degradations

The effective,stable,and secure catalysts are essential for sulfate radical(SO_(4)·−)-based advanced oxidation processes(SR-AOPs)to the degradation of organic contaminants in water.Heterogeneous supported cobalt-based catalysts are commonly used to activate peroxymonosulfate(PMS)to achieve the degradation.In this work,we synthesized Co_(3)O_(4)@Al_(2)O_(3)three-dimensional(3D)mesoporous nanocomposite(denoted as Co_(3)O_(4)@Al_(2)O_(33)DPNC)in just one step by calcining cheap and green deep eutectic solvent(DES)solution containing Co salt.Co_(3)O_(4)@Al_(2)O_(33)DPNC with the high specific surface area(93.246 m^(2)/g),uniform pore distribution(3.829 nm)and rich porosity(0.255 cm^(3)/g)were attained in a beautiful hierarchical structure which exhibited the open 3D propeller-like microstructure,two-dimensional lamellar substructure with rich folds,as well as the decoration of highly dispersed Co_(3)O_(4)nanoparticles on mesoporous amorphous Al_(2)O_(3).The excellent chemical and thermal stability of Al_(2)O_(3)ensures the high stability of the catalyst,and the formation of the complex hierarchical structure makes the active Co_(3)O_(4)be homogenously dispersed for effective catalysis.The catalyst demonstrated outstanding performance for catalytic degradations of organic pollutants(acetaminophen,oxytetracycline,5-sulfosalicylic acid,orange G and Rhodamine B)by generated SO_(4)·−,·OH and^(1)O_(2).With a very low cobalt content(equal to 28.2 mg/L of Co),the catalyst exhibited very high stability and excellent reusability in the recycling usages,while the leaching of the cobalt element(<0.145 mg/L)was also at a low level.Our catalyst achieved effective degradations of acetaminophen in cycles without losing its stable hierarchical nanostructure.

Bandgap engineering of tetragonal phase CuFeS_(2)quantum dots via mixed-valence single-atomic Ag decoration for synergistic Cr(VI)reduction and RhB degradation

Bandgap engineering through single-atom site binding on semiconducting photocatalyst can boost the intrinsic activity,selectivity,carrier separation,and electron transport.Here,we report a mixed-valence Ag(0)and Ag(I)single atoms co-decorated semiconducting chalcopyrite quantum dots(Ag/CuFeS_(2)QDs)photocatalyst.It demonstrates efficient photocatalytic performances for specific organic dye(rhodamine B,denoted as RhB)as well as inorganic dye(Cr(VI))removal in water under natural sunlight irradiation.The RhB degradation and Cr(VI)removal efficiencies by Ag/CuFeS_(2)QDs were 3.55 and 6.75 times higher than those of the naked CuFeS_(2)QDs at their optimal pH conditions,respectively.Besides,in a mixture of RhB and Cr(VI)solution under neutral condition,the removal ratio has been elevated from 30.2%to 79.4%for Cr(VI),and from 95.2%to 97.3%for RhB degradation by using Ag/CuFeS_(2)QDs after 2 h sunlight illumination.The intrinsic mechanism for the photocatalytic performance improvement is attributed to the narrow bandgap of the single-atomic Ag(I)anchored CuFeS_(2)QDs,which engineers the electronic structure as well as expands the optical light response range.Significantly,the highly active Ag(0)/CuFeS_(2)and Ag(I)/CuFeS_(2)effectively improve the separation efficiency of the carriers,thus enhancing the photocatalytic performances.This work presents a highly efficient single atom/QDs photocatalyst,constructed through bandgap engineering via mixed-valence single noble metal atoms binding on semiconducting QDs.It paves the way for developing high-efficiency single-atom photocatalysts for complex pollutions removal in dyeing wastewater environment.

A review on g-C_(3)N_(4)decorated with silver for photocatalytic energy conversion

Artificial photocatalytic energy conversion is considered as the most potential strategy for solving the increasingly serious energy crisis and environmental pollution problems by directly capturing solar energy.Therefore,high efficiency photocatalyst has drawn significant research attention in recent years.Due to the excellent electronic,optical,structural,and physicochemical performances,silver-based g-C_(3)N_(4)have become promising photocatalysts.This review emphasizes the recent progresses and challenges on g-C_(3)N_(4)decorated with silver for photocatalytic energy conversion.The extensive use of g-C_(3)N_(4)decorated with silver in diverse photocatalytic reactions,including hydrogen evolution,pollutant degradation and carbon dioxide reduction,is also fully introduced.In addition,we propose the perspectives of g-C_(3)N_(4)decorated with silver on photocatalytic applications.We hope that this review will shed some light on the photocatalytic energy conversion of g-C_(3)N_(4)decorated with silver.

The valuation of China’s environmental degradation from 2004 to 2017

This paper aims to evaluate the cost of environmental degradation by adopting the conventional environmental economic methodology in China from 2004 to 2017 and summarize the change in both the causes and costs of China’s environmental degradation.Results from this study revealed the following:i.The environmental degradation cost in China increased from 511 billion yuan to 1,892 billion yuan from 2004 to 2017,and its share in the GDP decreased from 3.05% to 2.23%;ii.The environmental degradation cost growth rate was lower than the GDP growth rate.The environmental degradation cost growth rate decreased sharply,by dropping from 10% in 2014 to 2% in 2017.The environmental benefits of industrial transformation have emerged;iii.The provinces of Shandong,Hebei,Jiangsu,Henan,and Guangdong had the highest environmental degradation costs.The annual average growth rate of the environmental degradation costs in Jiangsu,Guangdong,and Zhejiang were lower than their growth rate of the GDP respectively;iv.Consideration of environmental degradation cost in decision-making could contribute to the high-quality development of China.

Hetero-Janus Nanofibers as an Ideal Framework for Promoting Water-pollutant Photoreforming Hydrogen Evolution

Photoreforming hydrogen evolution(Pr-HE)of a water-pollutant system could simultaneously achieve efficient hydrogen production and pollutant degradation.It provides a new way to solve energy and environmental issues,but the poor internal charge separation still limits its performance.This work designed hetero-Janus nanofibers(HJNFs)with ordered electric field distribution and separated redox surfaces to promote Pr-HE of the water-pollutant system.Taking ZnO/NiO heterojunction as an example,the hetero-Janus structures were prepared via"Dual-channel"electrospinning and further confirmed by the element morphology analysis and asymmetric distribution of the XPS spectra.The theoretical simulation showed that Janus structures could effectively inhibit the electron trap and hole trap generation,then accelerate the directional carrier migration to the surface.Experimental investigations also confirmed that Janus structures could effectively suppress internal exciton luminescence and accelerate surface charge transfer.The Pr-HE amount and the corresponding propranolol(PRO)degradation rate of HJNFs were 7.9 and 1.5 times higher than hetero-mixed nanofibers(HMNFs).The enhancement factor of Pr-HE in water-PRO to pure water was about 3.1,but nearly zero for HMNFs.This prominent synergistic effect was due to the enhancement of charge separation and the inhibition of cascade side reaction from hetero-Janus structures.Furthermore,the synchronous Pr-HE and degradation reactions were significantly promoted by selective introducing Ag nanoparticles in one side of the HJNFs for enlarging the interfacial Fermi energy level difference.The hetero-Janus strategy offers a new perspective on designing efficient photoreforming photocatalysts for energy and environment applications.

Hydroxyl radical induced from hydrogen peroxide by cobalt manganese oxides for ciprofloxacin degradation

Advanced oxidation processes(AOPs)are promising technology to remove organic pollutant in water.However,the main problem in the AOPs is the low generation of hydroxyl radical(·OH)owing to the low decomposition efficiency of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)).Herein,the spinel type cobalt acid manganese(MnCo_(2)O_(4))with flower morphology was fabricated through a co-precipitation method.In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms that the MnCo_(2)O_(4) with the optimal molar ratio of Co and Mn precursors(CM3,Co:Mn=3)has more Lewis acid sites compared with single metal oxide catalysts(Co_(3)O_(4) and Mn_(2)O_(3)),leading to the excellent performances for H_(2)O_(2) decomposition rate constant on CM3,which is about 15.03 and 4.21 times higher than those of Co_(3)O_(4) and Mn_(2)O_(3),respectively.As a result,the obtained CM3 shows a higher ciprofloxacin degradation ratio than that of Co_(3)O_(4) and Mn_(2)O_(3).Furthermore,CM3 shows an excellent stability during several cycles.This work proposes effective catalysts for ciprofloxacin decomposition and provides feasible route for treating practical environmental problems.

Development and application of a new random walk model to simulate the transport of degradable pollutants

To simulate the pollutant transport with seif-purification in inland waters,the widely used random walk model(RWM)is modified to include a source term for the degradation and to consider the impact of land boundaries.The source term for the degradation is derived from the assumption of the first-order reaction kinetics.Parameters for the new model are determined by a comparison to the analytical results.The proposed model is then applied to simulate and analyze the transport of a test pollutant and its spatial distribution in a large reservoir in northeast China.Reasonable results are obtained,and the effects of the runoff,the flow structure,and the wind on the pollutant transport are analyzed.The results may help the risk assessment and the management of the water pollution in inland waters.

Uncovering mechanism of photocatalytic performance enhancement induced by multivariate defects on SnS_(2)

Defect engineering is recognized as an effective route to obtain highly active photocatalytic materials.However,the current understanding of defects is mainly limited to isolated atomic vacancy defects,ignoring the exploration of the functions of multivariate defects formed by the deletion of several adjacent atoms in photocatalytic system.Here,we prepared SnS2 nanostructures with the same morphology but different dominant defects,and by testing their photocatalytic performance,it was found that the multivariate defects can significantly improve the photocatalytic performance than isolated S vacancies.Combining experiments and theoretical calculations,we confirmed that the promotion of multivariate defects,especially“S-Sn-S”vacancy associates,on the photocatalytic performance is reflected in many aspects,such as the regulation of the energy band structure,the improvement of the charge separation efficiency,and the promotion of the adsorption and activation of guest molecules.SnS2 with“S-Sn-S”vacancy associates exhibits excellent photocatalytic water purification ability.Under the induction of“S-Sn-S”vacancy associates,phenol was thoroughly photocatalytically decomposed,further confirming its excellent functionality.This work not only provides new insights into identifying advantage defects in the catalyst structure,but also offers new ideas for constructing highly active photocatalysts based on defect engineering.

Review on multi-dimensional assembled S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts

S-scheme heterostructure photocatalysts utilize the synergistic and superposition effects of materials,ef-fectively separating electrons and holes,maintaining strong redox capacity,and addressing issues en-countered by current photocatalytic reactions.This review explores the origins and unique benefits of S-scheme heterojunctions.Specifically,we summarized and discussed the effects of different dimensions of semiconductors constituting S-scheme heterojunctions and the similarities and differences in elec-tron transfer processes when constructing heterojunctions.Additionally,we analyzed several methods for proving the formation of S-scheme heterojunctions and the electron transfer process,both directly and indirectly.Finally,we review the applications of S-scheme heterojunctions in various fields of photo-catalysis,including photocatalytic water splitting,pollution degradation,CO_(2) reduction and other related photocatalytic applications.Our hope is that this review will provide an essential reference for the devel-opment and application of S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysis.

Fluorinated inverse opal carbon nitride combined with vanadium pentoxide as a Z-scheme photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this work,Z-scheme V_(2)O_(5) loaded fluorinated inverse opal carbon nitride(IO F-CN/V_(2)O_(5)) was synthesized as a product of ternary collaborative modification with heterostructure construction,element doping and inverse opal structure.The catalyst presented the highest photocatalytic activity and rate constant for degradation of typical organic pollutants Rhodamine B(RhB)and was also used for the efficient removal of antibiotics,represented by norfloxacin(NOR),sulfadiazine(SD)and levofloxacin(LVX).Characterizations confirmed its increased specific surface area,narrowed bandgap,and enhanced visible light utilization capacity.Further mechanism study including band structure study and electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR)proved the successful construction of Z-scheme heterojunction,which improved photogenerated charge carrier migration and provide sufficient free radicals for the degradation process.The combination of different modifications contributed to the synergetic improvement of removal efficiency towards different organic pollutants.