Novel interface engineering of LDH-based materials on Mg alloy for efficient photocatalytic systems considering the geometrical linearity of condensed phosphates

This study presents a facile and rapid method for synthesizing novel Layered Double Hydroxide(LDH)nanoflakes,exploring their application as a photocatalyst,and investigating the influence of condensed phosphates'geometric linearity on their photocatalytic properties.Herein,the Mg O film,obtained by plasma electrolysis of AZ31 Mg alloys,was modified by growing an LDH film,which was further functionalized using cyclic sodium hexametaphosphate(CP)and linear sodium tripolyphosphate(LP).CP acted as an enhancer for flake spacing within the LDH structure,while LP changed flake dispersion and orientation.Consequently,CP@LDH demonstrated exceptional efficiency in heterogeneous photocatalysis,effectively degrading organic dyes like Methylene blue(MB),Congo red(CR),and Methyl orange(MO).The unique cyclic structure of CP likely enhances surface reactions and improves the catalyst's interaction with dye molecules.Furthermore,the condensed phosphate structure contributes to a higher surface area and reactivity in CP@LDH,leading to its superior photocatalytic performance compared to LP@LDH.Specifically,LP@LDH demonstrated notable degradation efficiencies of 93.02%,92.89%,and 88.81%for MB,MO,and CR respectively,over a 40 min duration.The highest degradation efficiencies were observed in the case of the CP@LDH sample,reporting 99.99%for MB,98.88%for CR,and 99.70%for MO.This underscores the potential of CP@LDH as a highly effective photocatalyst for organic dye degradation,offering promising prospects for environmental remediation and water detoxification applications.

Phosphotungstic acid ionic liquid for efficient photocatalytic desulfurization:Synthesis,application and mechanism

An efficient mass transfer process is a critical factor for regulating catalytic activity in a photocatalytic desulfurization system.Herein,a phosphotungstic acid(HPW)active center is successfully composited with a quaternary ammonium phosphotungstate-based hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride ionic liquid(CTAC-HPW)by the ion exchange method for the photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene sulfide.The keggin structure of HPW and highly mass transfer performance of organic cations synergistically enhanced the photocatalytic activity towards the effective convertion of dibenzothiophene(DBT)with the excitation of visible light.The deep desulfurization(<10 mg·kg^(-1))is attained within 30 min,and well stability is demonstrated within 25 cycles.Moreover,the CTAC-HPW photocatalyst projects well selectivity to interference from coexisting compounds such as olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons and universality of dibenzothiophenes,for example,4-methyldibenzothiophene(4-MDBT)and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene(4,6-DMDBT).Ultimately,a possible photocatalytic desulfurization mechanism is proposed according to the Gaschromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS),proving that the final product is the corresponding sulfone.The trapping experiment and electron spin resonance(ESR)analysis confirmed that h^(+)and,COOH played critical roles in the oxidation process.The work offers a practicable strategy for efficiently converting DBT to DBTO_(2) with added value.

Achieving high-efficient photocatalytic persulfate-activated degradation of tetracycline via carbon dots modified MIL-101(Fe)octahedrons

The synergistic reaction of photocatalysis and advanced oxidation is a valid strategy for the degradation of harmful antibiotic wastewater.Herein,carbon dots(CDs)modified MIL-101(Fe)octahedrons to form CDs/MIL-101(Fe)composite photocatalyst was synthesized for visible light-driven photocatalytic/persulfate(PS)-activated tetracycline(TC)degradation.The electron spin resonance(ESR)spectra,scavenging experiment and electrochemical analysis were carried out to reveal that the high visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation activity of TC over CDs/MIL-101(Fe)photocatalysts is not only ascribed to the production of free active radicals in the CDs/MIL-101(Fe)/PS system(·OH,·SO_(4-),^(1)O_(2),h^(+)and·O_(2)^(-))but also attributed to the consumption of electrons caused by the PS,which can suppress the recombination of photo-generated carriers as well as strong light scattering and electron trapping effects of CDs.Finally,the possible degradation pathways were proposed by analyzing intermediates via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique.This research presents a rational design conception to construct a CDs/PS-based photocatalysis/advanced oxidation technology with high-efficient degradation activity for the remediation of organic antibiotic pollutant wastewater and for the improvement of carrier transport kinetics of photocatalysts.

The photo-decomposition and self-restructuring dynamic equilibrium mechanism of Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)for stable photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction

Developing suitable photocatalysts and understanding their intrinsic catalytic mechanism remain key challenges in the pursuit of highly active,good selective,and long-term stable photocatalytic CO_(2)reduction(PCO_(2)R)systems.Herein,monoclinic Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)is firstly proven to be a new class of photocatalyst,which has excellent catalytic stability and selectivity for PCO_(2)R in the absence of any sacrificial agent and cocatalysts.Based on a Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)^(13)CO_(3)photocatalyst and 13CO_(2)two-sided^(13)C isotopic tracer strategy,and combined with in situ diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS)analysis and density functional theory(DFT)calculations,two main CO_(2)transformation routes,and the photo-decomposition and self-restructuring dynamic equilibrium mechanism of Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)are definitely revealed.The PCO_(2)R activity of Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)is comparable to some of state-of-the-art novel photocatalysts.Significantly,the PCO_(2)R properties can be further greatly enhanced by simply combining Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)with typical TiO_(2)to construct composites photocatalyst.The highest CO_(2)and CH_(4)production rates by 7.5 wt%Cu_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)-TiO_(2)reach 16.4μmol g^(-1)h^(-1)and 116.0μmol g^(-1)h^(-1),respectively,which are even higher than that of some of PCO_(2)R systems containing sacrificial agents or precious metals modified photocatalysts.This work provides a better understanding for the PCO_(2)R mechanism at the atomic levels,and also indicates that basic carbonate photocatalysts have broad application potential in the future.

Superwetting Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) anchored mesh with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities for efficient water purification

Superwetting materials have drawn unprecedented attention in the treatment of oily wastewater due to their preferable anti-fouling property and selective oil/water separation.However,it is still a challenge to fabricate multifunctional and environmentally friendly materials,which can be stably applied to purify the actual complicated wastewater.Here,a Ag/Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) heterostructure anchored copper mesh was intentionally synthesized using a facile two-step hydrothermal method.The resultant mesh with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity was capable of separating various oil/water mixtures with superior separation efficiency and high permeationflux driven by gravity.Benefiting from the joint effects of the smaller band gap of Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) heterojunction,inherent antibacterial capacity of Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) and Ag nanoparticles,favorable conductive substrate,as well as the hierarchical structure with superwettability,such mesh presented remarkably enhanced degradation capability toward organic dyes under visible light irradiation and antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli(E.coli)and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)compared with the pure Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) coated mesh.Impressively,the mesh exhibited bifunctional water purification performance,in which organic dyes were eliminated simultaneously from water during oil/water separation in onefiltration process.More importantly,this mesh behaved exceptional chemical resistance,mechanical stability and long-term reusability.Therefore,this material with multifunctional integration may hold promising potential for steady water purification in practice.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Plastic Waste: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Microplastics are persistent anthropogenic pollutants that have become a global concern due to their widespread distribution and unfamiliar threat to the environment and living organisms. Conventional technologies are unable to fully decompose and mineralize plastic waste. Therefore, there is a need to develop an environmentally friendly, innovative and sustainable photocatalytic process that can destroy these wastes with much less energy and chemical consumption. In photocatalysis, various nanomaterials based on wide energy band gap semiconductors such as TiO2 and ZnO are used for the conversion of plastic contaminants into environmentally friendly compounds. In this work, the removal of plastic fragments by photocatalytic reactions using newly developed photocatalytic composites and the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of microplastics are systematically investigated. In these degradation processes, sunlight or an artificial light source is used to activate the photocatalyst in the presence of oxygen.

Photocatalytic application of magnesium spinel ferrite in wastewater remediation:A review

This review paper explores the efficacy of magnesium ferrite-based catalysts in photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminates(antibiotic and dyes).We report the influence of different doping strategies,synthesis methods,and composite materials on the degradation efficiency of these pollutants.Our analysis reveals the versatile and promising nature of magnesium ferrite-based catalysts,offering the valuable insights into their practical application for restoring the environment.Due to the smaller band gap and magnetic nature of magnesium ferrite,it holds the benefit of utilising the broader spectrum of light while also being recoverable.The in-depth analysis of magnesium ferrites'photocatalytic mechanism could lead to the development of cheap and reliable photocatalyst for the wastewater treatment.This concise review offers a thorough summary of the key advancements in this field,highlighting the pivotal role of the magnesium ferrite based photocatalysts in addressing the pressing global issue of organic pollutants in wastewater.

Utilizing a defective MgO layer for engineering multifunctional Co-MOF hybrid materials with tailored leaf-like and polyhedral structures for optimal electrochemical and photocatalytic activities

The hybridization of metal-organic framework(MOF)with inorganic layers would lead to the discovery of novel hybrid materials that can provide a compelling strategy for enhancing its photocatalytic and electrochemical response.In the present study,a highly efficient multifunctional hybrid material was developed by exploiting the defective layer formed on AZ31 Mg alloy through plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)as a nucleation and growth site for Co-MOF.The concentrations of the organic linker 2-Methylimidazole(2,MIm)and cobalt nitrate as a source of Co^(2+) ions were varied to control the growth of the obtained Co-MOF.Lower concentrations of the 2,MIm ligand favored the formation of leaf-like MOF structures through an anisotropic,two-dimensional growth,while higher concentrations led to rapid,isotropic nucleation and the creation of polyhedral Co-MOF structures.The sample characterized by polyhedral Co-MOF structures exhibited superior electrochemical stability,with the lowest corrosion current density(3.11×10^(-9) A/cm^(2))and the highest top layer resistance(2.34×10^(6)Ωcm^(2)),and demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic efficiency,achieving a remarkable 99.98%degradation of methylene blue,an organic pollutant,in model wastewater.To assess the active adsorption sites of the Co-MOF,density functional theory(DFT)was utilized.This study explores the changes in morphologies of the coatings of Co-MOF with the change of solution concentration to form coatings with enhanced properties on the metallic substrate,which could establish the groundwork for the development of next-generation multifunctional frameworks with diverse applications.

Maximizing the potential applications of plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings produced on Mg-based alloys in anti-corrosion,antibacterial,and photocatalytic targeting through harnessing the LDH/PEO dual structure

There is an increasing interest in the development of Mg alloys,both for industrial and biomedical applications,due to their favorable characteristics such as being lightweight and robust.However,the inadequate corrosion resistance and lack of antibacterial properties pose significant challenges in the industrial and biomedical applications,necessitating the implementation of advanced coating engineering techniques.Plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)has emerged as a preferred coating technique because of its distinctive properties and successful surface modification results.However,there is a continuous need for further enhancements to optimize the performance and functionalities of protective surface treatments.The integration of layered double hydroxide(LDH)into PEO coatings on Mg alloys presents a promising approach to bolstering protective properties.This thorough review delves into the latest developments in integrating LDH into PEO coatings for corrosion-related purposes.It particularly emphasizes the significant improvements in corrosion resistance,antibacterial effectiveness,and photocatalytic performance resulting from the incorporation of LDH into PEO coatings.The two key mechanisms that enhance the corrosion resistance of PEO coatings containing LDH are the anion exchangeability of the LDH structure and the pore-sealing effect.Moreover,the antibacterial activity of PEO coatings with LDH stemmed from the release of antibacterial agents stored within the LDH structure,alterations in pH levels,and the photothermal conversion property.Furthermore,by incorporating LDH into PEO coatings,new opportunities emerge for tackling environmental issues through boosted photocatalytic properties,especially in the realm of pollutant degradation.

Revealing the Role of Defect in 3D Graphene-Based Photocatalytic Composite for Efficient Elimination of Antibiotic and Heavy Metal Combined Pollution

Defect engineering can give birth to novel properties for adsorption and photocatalysis in the control of antibiotics and heavy metal combined pollution with photocatalytic composites.However,the role of defects and the process mechanism are complicated and indefinable.Herein,TiO_(2)/CN/3DC was fabricated and defects were introduced into the tripartite structure with separate O_(2)plasma treatment for the single component.We find that defect engineering can improve the photocatalytic activity,attributing to the increase of the contribution from h^(+)and OH.In contrast to TiO_(2)/CN/3DC with a photocatalytic tetracycline removal rate of 75.2%,the removal rate of TC with D-TiO_(2)/CN/3DC has increased to 88.5%.Moreover,the reactive sites of tetracycline can be increased by adsorbing on the defective composites.The defect construction on TiO_(2)shows the advantages in tetracycline degradation and Cu^(2+)adsorption,but also suffers significant inhibition for the tetracycline degradation in a tetracycline/Cu^(2+)combined system.In contrast,the defect construction on graphene can achieve the cooperative removal of tetracycline and Cu^(2+).These findings can provide new insights into water treatment strategies with defect engineering.

Surface growth of novel MOFs on AZ31 Mg alloy coated via plasma electrolytic oxidation for enhanced corrosion protection and photocatalytic performance

In the pursuit of multifunctional coatings,the controlled growth of materials on stationary platforms holds paramount importance for achieving superior corrosion protection and optimal photocatalytic performance.This study introduces a cutting-edge approach,intertwining bifunctional metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)seamlessly into defective MgO layers produced by the anodic oxidation of AZ31 alloy.Key metallic oxides of Zn,Sn,and V take center stage as metallic sources for MOF formation,complemented by the organic prowess of L-Tryptophan as anα-amino acid linker.Leveraging the electronic structure of metallic oxides reacting with tryptophan molecules,controlled morphologies with distinct characteristics are induced on the defective surface of the MgO layer,enabling the precise modulation of surface defects.The hybrid composite demonstrates an adaptive microstructure in diverse aqueous environments,offering dual functionality with electrochemical stability and visible light photocatalytic activity for crystal violet degradation.Among the samples,the SnOF complex exhibited remarkable electrochemical stability with a low corrosion current density of 7.50×10^(−10)A·cm^(−2),along with a 94.56%degradation efficiency after 90 min under visible light exposure.The VOF complex,under similar visible light conditions,demonstrated exceptional performance with a higher degradation efficiency of 97.79%and excellent electrochemical stability characterized by a corrosion current density of 3.26×10^(−9)A·cm^(−2).Additionally,Density Functional Theory(DFT)computations shed light on the basic bonding patterns between MOFs and inorganic components,providing electronic understanding of their electrochemical and photocatalytic activities.

Brønsted-acid sites induced photocatalytic cracking of low-polarity polyethylene plastics

Polyolefins such as polyethylene(PE)are one of the largest-scale synthetic plastics and play a key role in modern society.However,polyethylene is extremely inert to chemical recycling owing to its lack of chemical functionality and low polarity,making it one of the most challenging environmental hazards globally.Herein,we developed a phosphorylated CeO_(2)catalyst by an organophosphate precursor and featured efficient photocatalysis of low-density polyethylene(LDPE)without the acid or alkaline pre-treatment.Compared to pristine CeO_(2),the surface phosphorylation allows to introduce Brønsted acid sites,which facilitate to form carbonium ions on LDPE via protonation.In addition,the suitable band structure of the phosphorylated CeO_(2)catalyst enables efficient photoabsorption and generates reactive oxygen species,leading to the C–C bond cleavage of LDPE.As a result,the phosphorylated CeO_(2)catalyst exhibited an outstanding carbon conversion rate of>94%after 48 h of photocatalysis under 50 mW/cm^(2)of simulated sunlight,with a high CO_(2)product selectivity of>99%.Furthermore,the PE microparticles with sizes larger than 10μm released from LDPE plastic wrap were directly and completely degraded by photocatalysis within 12 h,suggesting an attractive and environmentally benign strategy of utilizing solar energy-based photocatalysis for reducing potential hazards of LDPE plastic trashes.

Rational construction of CuFe_(2)O_(4)@C/Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for extraordinary photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H_(2) evolution

Rational design of photocatalyst to maximize the use of sunlight is one of the issues to be solved in photocatalysis technology.In this study,the CuFe_(2)O_(4)@C/Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S(CFO@C/CZS)S-scheme photocatalyst with photothermal effect was synthesized by ultrasonic self-assembly combined with calcination.The dark CFO@C absorbed visible light and partly converted into heat to promote the hydrogen evolution reaction.The presence of heterojunctions inhibited the photogenerated electron-hole recombination.The graphite-carbon layer provided a stable channel for electron transfer,and the presence of magnetic CFO made recycle easier.Under the action of photothermal assistance and heterojunction,the hydrogen evolution rate of the optimal CFO@C/CZS was 80.79 mmol g^(-1) h^(-1),which was 2.55 times and 260.61 times of that of pure CZS and CFO@C,respectively.Notably,the composite samples also exhibit excellent stability and a wide range of environmental adaptability.Through experimental tests and first-principles simulation calculation methods,the plausible mechanism of photoactivity enhancement was proposed.This work provided a feasible strategy of photothermal assistance for the development of heterojunction photocatalysts with distinctive hydrogen evolution.

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over MIL-100(Fe)/GO composites: a performance and kinetic study

Adsorption coupled with photocatalytic degradation is proposed to fulfill the removal and thorough elimination of organic dyes.Herein,we report a facile hydrothermal synthesis of MIL-100(Fe)/GO photocatalysts.The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation process of methylene blue(MB)on MIL‐100(Fe)/GO composites were systematically studied from performance and kinetic perspectives.A possible adsorption‐photocatalytic degradation mechanism is proposed.The optimized 1M8G composite achieves 95%MB removal(60.8 mg/g)in 210 min and displays well recyclability over ten cycles.The obtained MB adsorption and degradation results are well fitted onto Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second order kinetic model.This study shed light on the design of MOFs based composites for water treatment.

Influence of Current Density on the Photocatalytic Activity of Nd:TiO_(2) Coatings

The Nd:TiO_(2 )PEO coatings were formed in a phosphate-based electrolyte with the addition of Nd_(2)O_(3 )under the current density of 150,200,250 and 300 m A/cm^(2).SEM results showed that the micropores decreased on quantity and increased on scale with the increasing current density.AFM results revealed that the roughness of the coatings increased with the increasing current density.Phase and composition analysis showed that the Nd:TiO_(2) coatings were mainly composed of anatase and rutile phase.And the anatase phase content has reached the maximum value at the current density of 250 m A/cm^(2).XPS results indicated that Ti2p spin-orbit components of the Nd:TiO_(2) coatings are shifted towards higher binding energy,compared with the pure TiO_(2) coating,suggesting that some of the Nd^(3+)ions are combined with TiO_(2) lattice and led to dislocation.Photocatalytic test showed that the photocatalytic activity of Nd:TiO_(2) coatings varied in the same pattern with the anatase content variation in Nd:TiO_(2) coatings.The photocatalytic experiment results show that the photocatalytic activity of Nd:TiO_(2) coatings can be greatly enhanced with moderate amount of Nd^(3+).However,excessive amount of Nd^(3+)does not have an effective impact on the photoctalytic activity improvement.

Appreciable Enhancement of Photocatalytic Performance for N-doped SrMoO_(4) via the Vapor-thermal Method

A series of nitrogen-doped SrMoO_(4) with different Sr/N mole ratio (R=0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20,0.40,and 0.60) were synthesized using urea as the N source via the vapor-thermal method.The photocatalytic degradation ability of all samples was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) as a target contaminant.The band gaps of N-doped samples are all higher than that of pristine ones,which is only 3.12 eV.BET specific surface area S_(BET) and pore volume are increased due to the N doping.And the greater increase of S_(BET),the faster the photodegradation speed of methylene blue on SrMoO_(4).More specifically,the degradation efficiency of MB is improved up to 87%in 100 min.

Dipole polarization modulating of vinylene-linked covalent organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic hydrogen(H_(2))evolution using covalent organic frameworks(COFs)is an attractive and promising avenue for exploration,but one of its big challenges is low photo-induced charge separation.In this study,we present a straightforward and facile dipole polarization engineering strategy to enhance charge separation efficiency,achieved through atomic modulation(O,S,and Se)of the COF monomer.Our findings demonstrate that incorporating atoms with varying electronegativities into the COF matrix significantly influences the local dipole moment,thereby affecting charge separation efficiency and photostability,which in turn affects the rates of photocatalytic H_(2) evolution.As a result,the newly developed TMT-BO-COF,which contains highly electronegative O atoms,exhibits the lowest exciton binding energy,the highest efficiency in charge separation and transportation,and the longest lifetime of the active charges.This leads to an impressive average H_(2) production rate of 23.7 mmol g^(−1) h^(−1),which is 2.5 and 24.5 times higher than that of TMT-BS-COF(containing S atoms)and TMT-BSe-COF(containing Se atoms),respectively.A novel photocatalytic hydrogen evolution mechanism based on proton-coupled electron transfer on N in the structure of triazine rings in vinylene-linked COFs is proposed by theoretical calculations.Our findings provide new insights into the design of highly photoactive organic framework materials for H_(2) evolution and beyond.

Photocatalytic ozonation-based degradation of phenol by ZnO—TiO_(2)nanocomposites in spinning disk reactor

Spinning disk reactor(SDR)has emerged as a novel process intensification photocatalytic reactor,and it has higher mass transfer efficiency and photon utilization for the degradation of toxic organic pollutants by advanced oxidation processes(AOPs).In this study,ZnO—TiO_(2)nanocomposites were prepared by solgel method,and coated on the disk of SDR by impregnation-pull-drying-calcination method.The performance of catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscope,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,photoluminescence and ultraviolet—visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.Photocatalytic ozonation in SDR was used to remove phenol,and various factors on degradation effect were studied in detail.The results showed that the rate of degradation and mineralization reached 100%and 83.4%under UV light irradiation after 50 min,compared with photocatalysis and ozonation,the removal rate increased by 69.3%and 34.7%,and mineralization rate increased by 56.7%and 62.9%,which indicated that the coupling of photocatalysis and ozonation had a synergistic effect.The radical capture experiments demonstrated that the active species such as photogenerated holes(h^(+)),hydroxyl radicals(·OH),superoxide radical(·O_(2)-)were responsible for phenol degradation,and·OH played a leading role in the degradation process,while h+and·O_(2)^(-)played a non-leading role.

PdCu alloy anchored defective titania for photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into methane with 100% selectivity

The photoreduction of CO_(2)into CH_(4)with simultaneous high activity and selectivity is a promising strategy to increase energy supply and alleviate global warming.However,the absence of the active sites that is responsible for the adsorption and activation of CO_(2)and the generation of CO and H2via side reactions often lead to poor efficiency and low selectivity of the catalyst.Herein,Cu,Pd,and PdCu metal clusters cocatalyst-anchored defective TiO_(2)nanotubes(Cu/TiO_(2)-SBO,Pd/TiO_(2)-SBO,and Pd1Cu1/TiO_(2)-SBO)were designed via a simple solution impregnation reduction and applied for photocatalytic conversion of CO_(2)to CH_(4).The Pd1Cu1/TiO_(2)-SBO photocatalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance among the other catalysts for photoreduction of CO_(2)into CH_(4).More interestingly,the product selectivity of CH_(4)reaches up to 100%with a rate of 25μmol g^(-1)h^(-1).In-situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS)and density functional theory(DFT)simulations indicate that the main reasons for the high selectivity of CH_(4)are attributed to the PdCu alloy and oxygen vacancies,which jointly enhance the photoinduced carrier separation and lower energy barriers of key intermediates.Moreover,due to the tunable d-band center of the Cu site in the PdCu alloy,the generated intermediates can be well prevented from poisoning and promoted to participate in further reactions.Hopefully,the current study will provide insight into the development of new,highly selective photocatalysts for the visible light-catalytic reduction of CO_(2)into CH_(4).

Insight into the synergistic effect of defect and strong interface coupling on ZnIn_(2)S_(4)/CoIn_(2)S_(4)heterostructure for boosting photocatalytic H_(2) evolution

Steering the directional carrier migration across the interface is a central mission for efficient photocatalytic reactions.In this work,an atomic-shared heterointerface is constructed between the defect-rich ZnIn_(2)S_(4)(HVs-ZIS)and CoIn_(2)S_(4)(CIS)via a defect-guided heteroepitaxial growth strategy.The strong interface coupling induces adequate carriers exchanging passageway between HVs-ZIS and CIS,enhancing the internal electric field(IEF)in the ZnIn_(2)S_(4)/CoIn_(2)S_(4)(HVs-ZIS/CIS)heterostructure.The defect structure in HVs-ZIS induces an additional defect level,improving the separation efficiency of photocarriers.Moreover,promoted by the IEF and intimate heterointerface,photogenerated electrons trapped by the defect level can migrate to the valence band of CIS,contributing to massive photogenerated electrons with intense reducibility in HVs-ZIS/CIS.Consequently,the HVs-ZIS/CIS heterostructure performs a boosted H_(2)evolution activity of 33.65 mmol g^(-1)h^(-1).This work highlights the synergistic effects of defect and strong interface coupling in regulating carrier transfer and paves a brave avenue for constructing efficient heterostructure photocatalysts.