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.

Preparation and Properties of Multiphase Composite Photocatalytic Materials Based on Spindle α-Fe_(2)O_(3) Nanoparticles

The spindle-shaped α-Fe_(2)O_(3) was prepared by hydrothermal method,Fe_(2)O_(3)/ZnO and Fe_(2)O_(3)/ZnO/PANI photocatalytic composite materials were successfully prepared,and their structure and photocatalytic properties were studied.The results show that different amount of PANI has different photocatalytic performance,and the addition of PANI improves the photocatalytic properties of the composite.In addition,Fe_(2)O_(3)/ZnO/PANI(10%) exhibits the best photocatalytic performance.After two hours of UV irradiation,the degradation rates of methyl orange and orange II reach 68.1% and 75.4%,respectively.

Photocatalytic Activity Enhancement in Organic Dyes Degradation by Loading Ag Nanoparticles onto α-Fe_(2)O_(3)/ZnOs

Fe_(2)O_(3)/ZnO/Ag ternary composite photocatalytic material was prepared by simple hydrothermal method,and its structure and photocatalytic properties were studied.The experimental results show that Fe_(2)O_(3)/ZnO/Ag exhibits better photocatalytic performance.After two hours of UV irradiation,the degradation rates of orange Ⅱ and methyl orange reached 91.9% and 75.9%,respectively.The design and preparation of the photocatalyst provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of photocatalytic technology.

Atomically dispersed Zn-Co-N-C catalyst boosting efficient and robust oxygen reduction catalysis in acid via stabilizing Co-N bonds

Transition metal supported N-doped carbon(M-N-C)catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)are viewed as the promising candidate to replace Pt-group metal(PGM)for proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs).However,the stability of M-N-C is extremely challenging due to the demetalation,H_(2)O_(2)attack,etc.in the strongly oxidative conditions of PEMFCs.In this study,we demonstrate the universal effect of Zn on promoting the stability of atomically dispersed M-Nx/C(M=Co,Fe,Mn)catalysts and the enhancement mechanism is unveiled for the first time.The best-performing dual-metal-site Zn-Co-N-C catalyst exhibits a high half-wave potential(E1/2)value of 0.81 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE)in acid and outstanding durability with no activity decay after 15,000 accelerated degradation test(ADT)cycles at 60℃,surpassing most reported Co-based PGM-free catalysts in acid media.For comparison,the Co-N-C in the absence of Zn suffers from a rapid degradation after ADT due to the demetalation and higher H_(2)O_(2)yield.X-ray adsorption spectroscopy(XAS)and density functional theory(DFT)calculations suggest the more negative formation energy(by 1.2 eV)and increased charge transfer of Zn-Co dual-site structure compared to Co-N-C could strength the Co-N bonds against the demetalation and the optimized d-band center accounts for the improved ORR kinetics.