Photocatalysts For Applications Research Articles

Strain and Electric Field Engineering of G-ZnO/SnXY (X, Y = S, Se) S-Scheme Heterostructures for Photocatalyst and Electronic Device Applications: A Hybrid DFT Calculation.

Using hybrid density functional theory calculations, we systematically study the biaxial strain and electric field modulated electronic properties of g-ZnO/SnS2, g-ZnO/SnSe2, and g-ZnO/SnSSe S-scheme van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs). g-ZnO/SnS2 and g-ZnO/SnSSe are found to be promising photocatalysts for water splitting with high solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies, even under acidic, alkaline, and high-stress conditions. The strain effect on the bandgaps of g-ZnO/SnXY is explained in detail according to the correlation between geometry structure and orbital hybridization of SnXY, which could help understand the strain-induced band structure evolutions in other SnXY (X, Y = S, Se)-based vdWHs. It is surprising that under an external electric field, g-ZnO/SnS2, g-ZnO/SnSe2, and g-ZnO/SnSSe can offer the occupied nearly free-electron (NFE) states. In many materials, NFE states are usually unoccupied and is not conducive to the charge transport. The NFE state in g-ZnO/SnSe2 is the most sensitive to the electric field and might be promising electron transport channel in nanoelectronic devices. g-ZnO/SnSe2 might also have application potential in gas sensors and high-temperature superconductors.

Innovative Waste Benzene Remediation by Enhanced Photocatalytic with TiO2/Fe3O4-Based Material Supported by Bentonite in Batch and Continuous System

Photocatalytic degradation of benzene is a viable and environmentally friendly method with significant economic advantages. In this study, a composite photocatalyst consisting of TiO2 and Fe3O4 supported by bentonite was synthesized for benzene degradation. The objective was to assess the impact of critical parameters in both batch and continuous systems. The results showed that in batch system, the effects of initial benzene concentration and pH were explored, showing optimal degradation at an initial concentration of 400 ppm and pH 5. Under these conditions, an impressive % removal value of 95.334 % was achieved. Meanwhile, continuous system analysis showed a negative correlation between feed flow rate and % removal, with the most effective degradation occurring at a flow rate of 15 mL/min. The study also delivered into the kinetics of benzene degradation in batch system, obtaining a first-order reaction based on Langmuir-Hinshelwood model with a reaction rate constant (kr) of 85.68175 mg/(L.min) and an adsorption rate constant (K) of 0.0003002 L/mg. The adsorption model was observed to follow the Langmuir model. These results contributed to the optimization of photocatalytic benzene degradation processes, offering insights into the critical factors affecting efficiency in both batch and continuous systems. The established optimum conditions and kinetic parameters provided a foundation for future advancements in the design and application of composite photocatalysts for benzene remediation. HIGHLIGHTS Benzene is a known carcinogen, posing a significant health risk to humans Benzene can contaminate air and water sources, leading to widespread environmental pollution. Its volatile nature allows it to easily evaporate into the air and dissolve in water, contributing to long-term environmental hazards Photodegradation of benzene is highlighted as an environmentally friendly method, suggesting a potentially sustainable solution for benzene remediation A Composite photocatalyst of TiO2 and Fe3O4 supported by bentonite indicate a tailored approach for efficient benzene degradation Results from batch system analysis reveal impressive benzene removal rates, with optimal conditions identified at an initial concentration of 400 ppm and pH 5, providing practical insights for effective treatment GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Facile Fabrication of SrTiO3/In2O3 on Carbon Fibers via a Self-Assembly Strategy for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Photocatalytic water splitting by semiconductors is considered a promising and cost-effective method for achieving sustainable hydrogen production. In this study, a CF/SrTiO3/In2O3 photocatalytic material with a double-layer core–shell structure was developed. The experimental results indicated that the produced CF/SrTiO3/In2O3 composite fiber displayed superior photocatalytic hydrogen production performance, achieving a hydrogen evolution rate of approximately 320.71 μmol/g·h, which is roughly seven times higher than that of the CF/SrTiO3 fiber alone. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the CF/SrTiO3/In2O3 fiber can be attributed to the heterojunction structure enriched with oxygen vacancies. It was found that these oxygen vacancies created defective states that served as traps for photogenerated electrons, facilitating their migration to the surface defect states and enabling the reduction of H+ in water to produce hydrogen. Furthermore, the synergy between the heterojunction structure and the conductivity of the carbon fiber promoted the generation and migration of photogenerated electrons, reduced the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and ultimately improved photocatalytic hydrogen production. This study presents a new approach for designing efficient photocatalysts with surface oxygen vacancies on carbon fibers, providing new insights into the sustainable application of photocatalysts.

Thermal treatment impact on the evolution of active phases in layered double hydroxide-based ZnCr photocatalysts: Photodegradation and antibacterial performance

Abstract This study investigated the influence of thermal treatment on the photocatalytic performance of ZnCr layered double hydroxide-based mixed metal oxides in the degradation of methylene blue and brilliant cresyl blue organic dyes under simulated solar light irradiation. The photocatalysts were synthesized using a simple coprecipitation method and subjected to thermal treatment at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 900°C. Additionally, the study explored the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using a novel antibacterial experimental setup. It not only involved the introduction of ZnCr samples into BioPeptone/prepared cell suspension to enhance photocatalyst–bacteria cell contact but also included research on antibacterial activity induced by solar irradiation and also in the absence of light, providing crucial insights into photocatalytic antibacterial activity of ZnCr photocatalysts. Despite satisfactory efficiencies observed for all thermally treated ZnCr samples (removal efficiency ranging from 40% to 90%), ZnCr 900 (thermally treated at 900°C) exhibited exceptional performance, achieving nearly 100% removal efficiency and complete growth inhibition for both bacteria. Integrating these findings with structural and textural characterization data, as well as kinetic studies, our comprehensive analysis enhances the understanding of structure-dependent photocatalytic activities. These insights open possibilities for the application of ZnCr photocatalysts in water purification and environmental remediation.

An Emerging Trend in the Synthesis of Iron Titanate Photocatalyst Toward Water Splitting.

Hydrogen gas is a prominent focus in pursuing renewable and clean alternative energy sources. The quest for maximizing hydrogen production yield involves the exploration of an ideal photocatalyst and the development of a simple, cost-effective technique for its generation. Iron titanate has garnered attention in this context due to its photocatalytic properties, affordability, and non-toxic nature. Over the years, different synthesis routes, different morphologies, and some modifications of iron titanate have been carried out to improve its photocatalytic performance by enhancing light absorption in the visible region, boosting charge carrier transfer, and decreasing recombination of electrons and holes. The use of iron titanate photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction has seen an upward trend in recent times, and based on available findings, more can be done to improve the performance. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of photocatalysis for hydrogen generation, encompassing the synthesis, morphology, and application of iron titanate-based photocatalysts. The discussion delves into the limitations of current methodologies and present and future perspectives for advancing iron titanate photocatalysts. By addressing these limitations and contemplating future directions, the aim is to enhance the properties of materials fabricated for photocatalytic water splitting.

Enhancing biogas production through photocatalytic pretreatment of rice straw co-digested with cow dung and food waste using a novel g-C3N4/SiO2/bentonite catalyst

This study investigates the application of a novel composite photocatalyst, g-C3N4/SiO2/ Bentonite, for rice straw pretreatment, aiming to enhance biogas production in anaerobic digestion. The photocatalytic pretreatment disrupts rice straw's lignin and hemicellulose structures, reducing silica content for improved microbial degradation. Five 2 L anaerobic digesters were employed with rice straw as the substrate and co-digestion materials, including cow dung and food waste. Rice straw treated with the g-C3N4/7.5% SiO2/5% Bentonite catalyst exhibited a remarkable 37% increase in methane yield compared to untreated rice straw. This photocatalytic process led to a 31% increase in cellulose content and a 30% reduction in lignin after 6 hours of pretreatment. Simultaneously, silica content in the rice straw decreased to 6.4% after 6 hours, resulting in a 48% increase in the carbon proportion. These findings underscore the potential of integrated photocatalysts for significantly enhancing biogas production efficiency through the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

TiO2-MoS2-PMMA Nanocomposites for an Efficient Water Remediation.

An improvement of water supply and sanitation and better management of water resources, especially in terms of water reuse, is one of the priorities of the European Green Deal. In this context, it is crucial to find new strategies to recycle wastewater efficiently in a low-cost and eco-friendly manner. The immobilization of inorganic nanomaterials on polymeric matrices has been drawing a lot of attention in recent years due to the extraordinary properties characterizing the as-obtained nanocomposites. The hybrid materials, indeed, combine the properties of the polymers, such as flexibility, low cost, mechanical stability, high durability, and ease of availability, with the properties of the inorganic counterpart. In particular, if the inorganic fillers are nanostructured photocatalysts, the materials will be able to utilize the energy delivered by light to catalyze chemical reactions for efficient wastewater treatment. Additionally, with the anchoring of the nanomaterials to the polymers, the dispersion of the nanomaterials in the environment is prevented, thus overcoming one of the main limits that impede the application of nanostructured photocatalysts on a large scale. In this work, we will present nanocomposites made of polymers, i.e., polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and photocatalytic semiconductors, i.e., TiO2 nanoparticles (Evonik). MoS2 nanoflakes were also added as co-catalysts to improve the photocatalytic performance of the TiO2. The hybrid materials were prepared using the sonication and solution casting method. The nanocomposites were deeply characterized, and their remarkable photocatalytic abilities were evaluated by the degradation of two common water pollutants: methyl orange and diclofenac. The relevance of the obtained results will be discussed, opening the route for the application of these materials in photocatalysis and especially for novel wastewater remediation.

First-principles quantum computational study to investigate radiation energy-dependent effect on optoelectronic properties of bismuth oxyhalides BiOX (X= I, Br)

Metal oxyhalides are potential candidates for fundamental and technological interest in pharmaceutical, biological, optical, photoluminance, sensing, energy, and photocatalyst applications. In this study, using first-principles density functional quantum computational approach, we investigate the electronic and optical properties of two members of bismuth oxyhalides, BiOX (X = I, Br). The study is mainly aimed to characterize and examine the light radiation energy-dependent optical properties of the compounds by using mBJ desnty functional with the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The oxyhalides show indirect bandgap semiconductor nature having bandgaps of 2.2 eV for BiOI and 3.5 eV for BiOBr. Besides, these are p-type materials owing to a large hole-like carrier density of states in the valence bands close to the Fermi level. The energy bands show considerable dispersion of particles. The increasing reflectivity at high light energy shows the potential of the materials as good reflectors in shielding screens or glasses to avoid damage from the ultraviolet radiation.

A novel annulated dinuclear dizinc phthalocyanine cross-linked h-BN polyamides for efficient photocatalytic levofloxacin removal from real pharmaceutical wastewater

The alignment of the strong visible-light harvesting phthalocyanine and its metal derivatives onto wide-gap semiconductors has been recognized as a bright approach to fabricate highly effective photocatalysts for energy conversation and environmental restoration. However, the practical application of phthalocyanine-sensitized photocatalysts depends on their incorporation mode between phthalocyanine and basic materials. In this work, a novel high-effective dinuclear zinc (II) phthalocyanine-sensitized photocatalyst is fabricated via covalent immobilization of (Bis(82,112,152-tri-(6-oxyl-2-carboxyl)-naphthaoxytribenzo)[g,l,q]-5,10,15,20-tetraazaporphrinno[b,e]benzene) dizinc (II), (ZnTcPc)2 onto the amino functionalized hexagonal boron nitride (–NH2-h-BN) nanosheets for the first time by a facile condensation strategy. The optimized 9%(ZnTcPc)2/h-BN polymer displays remarkably improved photocatalytic activity in levofloxacin degradation from different aqueous solutions with long-term stability under visible-light illumination. Its decomposition rates reach 81.4%, 71.7% and 90.8% in deionized water, tap water and real pharmaceutical wastewater, respectively. It is approximately 7 times than that of bare h-BN nanosheets in deionized water. The detailed experimental data indicate that the critical role of for improving visible-light harvesting and photoinduced electron transfer capability of h-BN acted by the strongly chemical bond constructed between (ZnTcPc)2 and –NH2-h-BN. The improved photocatalytic mechanism for levofloxacin removal over 9%(ZnTcPc)2/h-BN polymer is proposed according to the results of ESR, UV–vis and fluorescence measurements. Therefore, this unique combination approach affords a carefully designed molecular photocatalyst with great potential application in environmental remediation.

A visible-light-driven dual Z-scheme CeVO4/g-C3N4/LaNiO3 hierarchical nanostructure photocatalyst for effective removal of organic pollutants

The major obstacle to restrict the practical application of photocatalysts is the low separation efficiency of photo-induced charge carriers. To overcome the above problem, a novel ternary CeVO4/g-C3N4/LaNiO3 hierarchical nanostructure photocatalyst with dual Z-scheme heterojunction is designed and fabricated by feat of semiconductor energy levels matching engineering. First, one-dimensional (1D) LaNiO3 nanobelts are fabricated by an electrospinning technique. Second, zero-dimensional (0D) g-C3N4 nanoparticles are fixed on 1D LaNiO3 nanobelts through a direct gas-solid reaction. Finally, 1D CeVO4 needle-like nanorods are fixed on g-C3N4/LaNiO3 hierarchical nanostructures through a hydrothermal method. Following exposure to visible-light irradiation for 180 min, the optimized CeVO4/g-C3N4/LaNiO3 hierarchical nanostructure photocatalyst exhibits the highest photocatalytic degradation rate (87.57%) for tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). Additionally, under the same conditions, the photocatalyst demonstrates its broad applicability by effectively degrading various organic pollutants, including methylene blue (MB) (60.56%), bisphenol A (BPA) (68.00%), ibuprofen (IBU) (57.56%), cefuroxime sodium (CRO) (77.34%), carbamazepine (CBZ) (59.65%) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) (75.16%). The exceptional photocatalytic performance of the CeVO4/g-C3N4/LaNiO3 hierarchical nanostructure photocatalyst can be attributed to the formation of a dual Z-scheme heterojunction among the 1D CeVO4 needle-like nanorods, 0D g-C3N4 nanoparticles, and 1D LaNiO3 nanobelts. The photocatalyst has a large specific surface area and suitable semiconductor energy band positions, providing the hierarchical nanostructures with numerous surface-active sites, rapid charge transfer ability and small charge recombination rate. The design ideas and preparation method proposed in this work have guiding significance for developing other dual Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts.

Removal of Emerging Organic Pollutants by Zeolite Mineral (Clinoptilolite) Composite Photocatalysts in Drinking Water and Watershed Water

One of the most challenging problems for people around the world is the lack of clean water. In the past few decades, the massive discharge of emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) into natural water bodies has exacerbated this crisis. Considerable research efforts have been devoted to removing these EOPs due to their biotoxicity at low concentrations. Heterogeneous photocatalysis via coupling clay minerals with nanostructured semiconductors has proven to be an economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly technology for the elimination of EOPs in drinking water and watershed water. Natural zeolite minerals (especially clinoptilolites) are regarded as appropriate supports for semiconductor-based photocatalysts due to their characteristics of having a low cost, environmental friendliness, easy availability, co-catalysis, etc. This review summarizes the latest research on clinoptilolites used as supports to prepare binary and ternary metal oxide or sulfide semiconductor-based hybrid photocatalysts. Various preparation methods of the composite photocatalysts and their degradation efficiencies for the target contaminants are introduced. It is found that the good catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst could be attributed to the synergistic effect of combining the clinoptilolite adsorbent with the semiconductor catalyst in the heterogeneous system, which could endow the composites with an excellent adsorption capacity and produce more e−/h+ pairs under suitable light irradiation. Finally, we highlight the serious threat of EOPs to the ecological environment and propose the current challenges and limitations, before putting the zeolite mineral composite photocatalysts into practice. The present work would provide a theoretical basis and scientific support for the application of zeolite-based photocatalysts for degrading EOPs.

Direct Z-scheme system of UiO-66 cubes wrapped with Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles for photocatalytic hydrogen generation synchronized with organic pollutant degradation

Optimized fabrication of Z-scheme photocatalyst based on MOF materials offers sustainable energy generation and environmental improvement due to their attractive properties. The Z-scheme heterojunctions consisting of UiO-66 cubes covered with Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanoparticles were fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. Thanks to the Z-scheme carrier transport under simulated sunlight irradiation, UiO-66@Zn0.5Cd0.5S exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance of H2 generation synchronized with organic pollutant degradation in fluoroquinolone antibiotic wastewater. Synergistically, the highest comprehensive performance was obtained in ciprofloxacin solution. The H2 yield reached 224 μmol∙ g−1∙ h−1 and simultaneously the removal efficiency was up to 83.6 %. The degradation pathways revealed that the process of piperazine ring cleavage and decarboxylation also generates H protons, further promoting the production of H2. Therefore, the effective spatial separation and transfer of the photoinduced carriers are attributed to the good band structure, large specific surface area, and cooperative reduction and oxidation reactions of UiO-66@Zn0.5Cd0.5S, resulting in significant photocatalytic activity. The toxicity assessment of antibiotics and intermediate products during the photocatalytic reaction also verifies the reduction of environmental risk. This study highlights a promising way to expand the application of the MOFs-based photocatalyst in clean energy conversion coupling with water remediation.

Effect of pH on the photo-Fenton degradation of rhodamine B by Prussian blue/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>

The pH solution is one of the critical factors affecting the photo-Fenton degradation of dyes in wastewater. The photoactivity of Prussian blue/g-C3N4 was investigated using the photodegradation of RhB acidic, neutral, and essential medium. The results implicated that more than 98.5% removal of RhB was achieved at pH = 3.62 after irradiation for 60 minutes under visible light. The photocatalytic activity of Prussian blue/g-C3N4 showed the best performance in an acidic medium. This is due to the formation of hydroxyl radicals during the photocatalytic degradation of RhB. Thus, this study has shown the role and potential of the application of photocatalysts in the degradation of toxic organic compounds the wastewater.

Electron‐Deficient Boron‐Doped g‐C3N4 as an Efficient and Robust Photocatalyst for Visible‐Light Driven Hydrogen Evolution from Water Splitting

AbstractElemental doping is considered to be a promising approach for altering the electronic structure, optical absorbance, and charge separation characteristics of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4, termed as CN), thus boosting its photocatalytic performance for practical applications. Herein, a series of boron (B) doped g‐C3N4 (named as BCN) photocatalysts are developed via one‐step pyrolysis of a mixture of urea and 3‐methoxycarbonyl‐5‐nitriophenylboronic acid (MCNPBA). The results show that B‐atoms have been successfully incorporated into the g‐C3N4 network. The as‐synthesized BCN‐x (x shows the weight content of MCNPBA) photocatalysts are evaluated in photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution from water splitting under visible‐light (λ ≥ 420 nm). The optimized BCN‐10 sample shows a maximum H2 evolution rate of 1789.93 µmol h─1 g─1, which is 6.2 times higher than that of g‐C3N4 (289.73 µmol h─1 g─1). This is attributed to the fact that the electron‐deficient B‐atoms are lewis acids that trap electrons, which in turn expands visible‐light absorption, narrows the bandgap, and prevents the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Moreover, B‐doping can readily modify the valence and conduction band positions of g‐C3N4, therefore augmenting the photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. This paper presents a unique rational framework for developing other functionalized electron‐deficient elemental‐doping g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts for practical applications in solar‐to‐fuel conversion.

Design, Synthesis, and Diverse Applications of Cu-Based Photocatalysts: A Review

Design, Synthesis, and Diverse Applications of Cu-Based Photocatalysts: A Review

Halogenated dicyanobenzene-based photosensitizer (3DPAFIPN) as a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) used in gram-scale photosynthesis 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-one/thione derivatives via a consecutive visible-light-induced electron-transfer pathway.

Background: Organic dyes often have shorter lifetimes in the excited state, which is a major obstacle to the development of effective photoredox methods. The scientific community has shown a great deal of interest in a certain class of organic chromophores because of their unique characteristics and effectiveness. One characteristic of the molecules under research is thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), which is only observed in molecules with a tiny energy gap (often less than 0.2eV) between their lowest two excited states, i.e., singlet excited state (S1) and triplet excited state (T1). The extended singlet excited states arising from TADF and the simplicity with which their redox potentials may be altered make the isophthalonitrile family of chromophores an attractive option for organic photocatalyst applications. Methods: The Biginelli reaction between β-ketoesters, arylaldehydes, and urea/thiourea has been used to build a sustainable technique for the production of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-one/thione derivatives. In the present study, the development of a green radical synthesis approach for this class of compounds is addressed in depth. As a photocatalyst, a new halogenated dicyanobenzene-based photosensitizer was employed in this study. As a renewable energy source activated by a blue LED, it was dissolved in ethanol, at room temperature in air atmosphere. The primary objective of this research is to employ a novel donor-acceptor (D-A) based on halogenated cyanoarene that is affordable, easily available, and innovative. Findings: The 3DPAFIPN [2,4,6-tris(diphenylamino)-5-fluoroisophthalonitrile] photocatalyst, a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), induces single-electron transfer (SET) in response to visible light, offering a straightforward, eco-friendly, and highly efficient process. Additionally, we determined the 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-one/thione derivatives turnover frequency (TOF) and turnover number (TON). It has also been demonstrated that gram-scale cyclization is a workable method for industrial purposes.

Application of Photocatalysts in Environmental Chemistry

The removal of contaminants from wastewater, which are produced by human activities, and the development of new means of renewable energy production are the main issues that need to be addressed to solve environmental problems [...]

PHOTOTHERMAL DEFLECTION ANALYSIS OF β-In2S3 THIN FILMS: THE EFFECT OF S/In MOLAR RATIOS

[Formula: see text]-In2S3 thin films ([Formula: see text], 2 and 4) were prepared using the pneumatic spray pyrolysis (PSP) route to analyze the effect of the S/In ratio on the physical properties. These properties were conducted using the photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) method. The PDS signal amplitudes as a function of wavelength show multiple reflections which appear for all prepared In2S3 films. Such multiple reflections indicate homogeneity and high crystalline quality of the films. The deduced values of the optical band gap vary in the range 2.55–2.65[Formula: see text]eV. The highest thermal diffusivity is obtained for [Formula: see text]. The product ([Formula: see text]) is found in order of 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]/V. The estimated carrier diffusion lengths are 0.06, 0.11 and 0.09[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m for films corresponding to [Formula: see text], 2 and 4, respectively. Defect absorption in [Formula: see text]-In2S3 films is also investigated by PDS. Five absorption peaks are observed. These absorption peaks contain defect information in the band gap. Hence, this work evidences that [Formula: see text]-In2S3 is a multi-functional material that can be used in optoelectronic, photovoltaic and visible-irradiation photocatalyst applications.

Bismuth-Based Z-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Remediation of Contaminated Water.

Agricultural runoff, fuel spillages, urbanization, hospitalization, and industrialization are some of the serious problems currently facing the world. In particular, byproducts that are hazardous to the ecosystem have the potential to mix with water used for drinking. Over the last three decades, various techniques, including biodegradation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), (e.g., photocatalysis, photo-Fenton oxidation, Fenton-like oxidation, and electrochemical oxidation process adsorption), filtration, and adsorption techniques, have been developed to remove hazardous byproducts. Among those, AOPs, photocatalysis has received special attention from the scientific community because of its unusual properties at the nanoscale and its layered structure. Recently, bismuth based semiconductor (BBSc) photocatalysts have played an important role in solving global energy demand and environmental pollution problems. In particular, bismuth-based Z-scheme heterojunction (BBZSH) is considered the best alternative route to overhaul the limitations of single-component BBSc photocatalysts. This work aims to review recent studies on a new type of BBZSH photocatalysts for the treatment of contaminated water. The general overview of the synthesis methods, efficiency-enhancing strategies, classifications of BBSc and Z-scheme heterojunctions, the degradation mechanisms of Z- and S-schemes, and the application of BBZSH photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes, antibiotics, aromatics compounds, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and volatile organic compounds are reviewed. Finally, challenges and the future perspective of BBZSH photocatalysts are discussed.

Insights into the role of S-Ti-O bond in Titanium-Based catalyst for photocatalytic CH4 reforming: Experimental and DFT exploration

Given the increasingly severe climate and energy crises, this paper proposes the concept of “room-temperature solar-powered CH4 reforming”, intended to achieve carbon emission reduction and efficiently use carbon-containing resources. However, traditional semiconductors as catalysts have some problems, such as few catalytic active sites and fast recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, resulting in low efficiency of photocatalytic CH4 reforming. For this reason, a series of doped catalysts X-TiO2 (X = Br, N, and S) are prepared by introducing nonmetallic elements into the TiO2 lattice to construct oxygen defects. Notably, the CO yield of the S-TiO2 catalyst was 1048μ mol g−1, 65 times higher than the catalytic performance of bulk TiO2. Based on the functional density theory (DFT) calculation, the interaction between the S active site and the performance of photocatalytic CH4 reforming with oxygen defects is discussed in detail. The synergistic effect of the S site and the oxygen defect has been shown to rapidly activate C = O and C-H bonds at room temperature. Finally, based on the tracer experiment and DFT calculation, a possible mechanism of photocatalytic CH4 reforming at room temperature is proposed. This work provides a new research direction for achieving carbon neutrality at room temperature and a feasible technical scheme for the large-scale application of photocatalysts.