Electron Trapping Research Articles

PCN-222/H3PW12O40/graphene oxide@cotton cloth with improved photocatalytic/photothermal properties for water decontamination

In this study, a novel visible-light-driven PCN-222/H3PW12O40/graphene oxide@cotton cloth (PCN-222/HPW/GO@Cot) photocatalytic platform was developed for efficient water sterilization and purification. PCN-222/HPW/GO ternary photocatalyst was prepared via one-pot solvothermal method, and anchored onto cotton cloth though catechol-amine reaction. By introducing HPW as the quasi-semiconductor co-catalyst and efficient electron trap, the photocatalytic activity of PCN-222 was boosted. Besides, the addition of GO further enhanced electron transfer capability and photothermal properties. PCN-222/HPW/GO@Cot exhibited significantly improved organic dye photodegradation and sterilization efficiencies compared to PCN-222 and PCN-222/HPW coated cotton cloths. It also maintained consistent organic dye removal efficiency over reuse cycles and retained high sterilization activity after repeated washings, indicating its remarkable durability and coating stability. The band positions and the enhanced photocatalytic/photothermal mechanisms were investigated in depth. This research suggests the great potential of PCN-222/HPW/GO@Cot photocatalytic platform for practical water purification and sterilization applications, and the potential to become multifunctional textiles.

Study on the Luminescence Performance and Anti-Counterfeiting Application of Eu2+, Nd3+ Co-Doped SrAl2O4 Phosphor.

This manuscript describes the synthesis of green long afterglow nanophosphors SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ using the combustion process. The study encompassed the photoluminescence behavior, elemental composition, chemical valence, morphology, and phase purity of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ nanoparticles. The results demonstrate that after introducing Eu2+ into the matrix lattice, it exhibits an emission band centered at 508 nm when excited by 365 nm ultraviolet light, which is induced by the 4f65d1→4f7 transition of Eu2+ ions. The optimal doping concentrations of Eu2+ and Nd3+ were determined to be 2% and 1%, respectively. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, we have found that the physical phase was not altered by the doping of Eu2+ and Nd3+. Then, we analyzed and compared the quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, and afterglow decay time of the samples; the co-doped ion Nd3+ itself does not emit light, but it can serve as an electron trap center to collect a portion of the electrons produced by the excitation of Eu2+, which gradually returns to the ground state after the excitation stops, generating an afterglow luminescence of about 15 s. The quantum yields of SrAl2O4:Eu2+ and SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphors were 41.59% and 10.10% and the fluorescence lifetimes were 404 ns and 76 ns, respectively. In addition, the Eg value of 4.98 eV was determined based on the diffuse reflectance spectra of the material, which closely matches the calculated bandgap value of SrAl2O4. The material can be combined with polyacrylic acid to create optical anti-counterfeiting ink, and the butterfly and ladybug patterns were effectively printed through screen printing; this demonstrates the potential use of phosphor in the realm of anti-counterfeiting printing.

Synergistic effect of NiO-loaded gold NPs modified exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (E-gC3N4) with the role of hot electrons and hole scavengers for boosting solar hydrogen production

The photocatalytic hydrogen production capabilities of a well-designed NiO–Au loaded exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (E-gC3N4) were evaluated after it was synthesized in a straightforward, template-free, single-step process. This study delves into the synergistic impact of utilizing exfoliated g-C3N4 (E-gC3N4) loaded with NiO to trap electrons and plasmonic Au to elevate solar-driven H2 evolution through the surface plasmon resonance effect. Using 2 % NiO/E-gC3N4 and 0.3 % Au/E-gC3N4 samples, the H2 yield of 2620 and 2725 μmol g−1, were obtained, which were 25 and 26 folds higher than using bulk g-C3N4, respectively. The highest photocatalytic H2 production of 4750 μmol g−1 was obtained with 1 % NiO-0.3 % Au/E-gC3N4, which was 1.74, 1.81 and 45.24-fold more than it was produced with 0.3 % Au/E-gC3N4, 2 % NiO/E-gC3N4 and bulk g-C3N4 samples, respectively. Increased visible light absorption and charge production due to the SPR effect of Au and efficient charge separation due to NiO co-catalyst led to an increase in H2 generation. The composite was also stable for the consecutive four cycles, in which continuous H2 evolution was obtained. This novel strategy offers promise for synthesizing effective composites for visible-light-driven H2 evolution.

Effect of Surface Electron Trapping and Small Polaron Formation on the Photocatalytic Efficiency of Copper(I) and Copper(II) Oxides.

Cu2O, CuO, and mixed phase Cu2O/CuO represent promising candidates for photoelectrochemical H2 evolution due to their strong visible light absorption, earth-abundance, and chemical stability. However, the photoelectrochemical efficiency in these materials remains far below the theoretical limit, largely due to poorly understood surface electron dynamics. These dynamics depend on defect states, such as Cu atom vacancies and phase boundaries, which control electron trapping, charge carrier separation, and recombination. In this work, we study the photoinduced electron and hole dynamics at the surface of various Cu oxides using ultrafast extreme ultraviolet reflection-absorption (XUV-RA) spectroscopy. In Cu2O we find that photoexcitation occurs as electron promotion from primarily Cu 3d valence band to Cu 4s conduction band states compared to O 2p valence band to Cu 4s conduction band states in CuO. In catalysts with a significant concentration of Cu vacancies, we observe fast electron trapping to the Cu 3d defect band occurring in less than 100 fs. In contrast, photoexcited electrons in phase pure CuO do not trap to midgap states; rather these electrons form small polarons within approximately 500 fs. Photoelectrochemical measurements of these catalysts show that Cu vacancy-mediated electron trapping correlates with a significant loss of photocurrent. Together, these results provide a detailed picture of the defect states and associated ultrafast carrier dynamics that govern the photocatalytic efficiency in widely studied Cu2O and CuO photocatalysts.

Structural, thermo-mechanical, optical and gamma-ray shielding properties of lead-free BaO–ZnO–B2O3–SiO2 and lead-based PbO–Bi2O3–K2O–SiO2 glasses

Lead-free BaO–ZnO–B2O3–SiO2 glass (BZBS) and lead-based PbO–Bi2O3–K2O–SiO2 glass (LS) were synthesized by melt quench technique. Glass samples were irradiated using 60Co gamma source up to 50 kGy dose to study the changes in structural, thermo-mechanical, optical and gamma ray shielding properties. Measured density values of both the glasses were greater than 4.0 g/cc. X Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed amorphous nature of prepared glasses before and after gamma irradiation. The structural changes induced by gamma irradiation were also investigated using Raman, Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. PALS data revealed increase in free volume/voids after irradiation. Defect studies carried using EPR spectroscopy confirmed formation of electron trap centre in BZBS glass, whereas in LS glass in addition to the electron trap centers, non-bridging oxygen hole centers (NBOHC) and peroxy radical defects were also observed. Investigations on thermo-mechanical properties demonstrated higher glass transition temperature (Tg), hardness and modulus of elasticity values for BZBS glass as compared to the LS glass, which were found to be decreased after irradiation because of radiation induced defects. Visible transparency and band gap for BZBS glass were found to be higher than that in LS glass. After irradiation, colour change, reduction in transparency as well as band gap, and red shift in absorption edge were observed due to the formation of defects in both the glasses. The values of radiation induced absorption (α) at three different visible wavelengths have been determined for 50 kGy dose using UV–Vis transmission data. Analysis of refractive index data showed around 12 % reflection losses for both the glasses. Annealing of irradiated samples using UV light source showed significant improvement in transparency. Linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) was calculated using XCOM program and experimentally measured using 60Co 1.33 MeV gamma ray. Linear attenuation coefficient of BZBS glass was around 0.20 cm−1 whereas for LS glass value was 0.24 cm−1. Half value layer thickness of prepared glasses was also compared with available standard materials and it was found that prepared glasses may be suitable for shielding of high energy gamma rays.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag/ZnO nanocomposite immobilized on kanthal coils

Constructing hybrid semiconductor photocatalysts and increasing the charge-carrier density are effective strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of ZnO. This study elucidates the synergistic effects of electron trapping and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on the activity of ZnO photocatalysts. Ag/ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized on Kanthal coils using a two-step method involving the immobilization of ZnO on Kanthal coils and the coupling of Ag nanoparticles. XPS and RTPL analyses verified the synergistic effects of electron trapping and SPR on the activity of the Ag/ZnO nanocomposites. The photocatalytic performance of the composite was evaluated in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The Ag/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced removal efficiency for RhB dye (38.2–70.5% depending on the deposition time). The Ohmic contact at the Ag/ZnO heterojunction extended the lifetime of the photoinduced charge carriers, whereas the SPR facilitated the generation of more electrons for the photocatalytic reaction. However, the excessive deposition of Ag nanoparticles compromised the photocatalytic performance of the Ag/ZnO nanocomposite. This study provides valuable insights for developing efficient ZnO-based photocatalytic materials for addressing environmental challenges.

ZnO/NiO coaxial heterojunction nanofibers with oxygen vacancies for efficient photocatalytic Congo red degradation and hydrogen peroxide production

Vacancy engineering is a highly efficient approach to enhancing photocatalytic activity. This research presents an innovative development of ZnO/NiO coaxial heterojunction nanofibers (ZN1/1) and ZnO/NiO coaxial heterojunction nanofibers with engineered oxygen vacancies (OVs-ZN1/1) via electrospinning and annealing. Detailed characterization of the nanofiber microstructure was conducted using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The OVs-ZN1/1 nanofibers demonstrated outstanding and unprecedented photocatalytic performance, achieving a 99 % degradation rate of Congo red dye (CR) under simulated solar light in just 45 min, with a good degradation coefficient of 0.091 min−1. Remarkably, the nanofibers’ photocatalytic activity remained a high level even after five cycles. Moreover, the photocatalytic H2O2 yield of OVs-ZN1/1 increased 20 times as much as that of ZN1/1. Experiments and mechanism analysis indicate that oxygen vacancy, as the electron trapping site of photoexcitation, accelerates the charge separation and transfer at the interface, thus promoting the adsorption and activation of target molecules. This study highlights the novel and superior performance of photochemical catalysts achieved through the strategic incorporation of oxygen vacancies and heterojunctions.

Defect and doping engineering mediated M-D-MIL(Fe)/Cu-C3N4 heterojunction with dual active centers for efficient tetracycline hydrochloride removal

It is essential to explore Fe-MOFs catalysts containing both multiple active sites and rapid charge separation for improving photo-Fenton performance. Herein, a defect and doping engineering mediated M-D-MIL(Fe)/Cu-C3N4 heterojunction with dual active centers was prepared and its removal performance was investigated against tetracycline hydrochloride. Characterization confirms that: (1) The ligand vacancies in M-D-MIL(Fe) can expose plenty of coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (Fe CUS), which enhance the Lewis acidity and optimize the adsorption of H2O2. Meanwhile, the built-in dual redox centers (Fe3+/Fe2+ and Cu+/Cu2+) can synergistically promote the activation of H2O2. (2) The ligand vacancies in M-D-MIL(Fe) and copper ion in C3N4 as electron trapping sites can optimize the carrier separation of single-component materials. Furthermore, the composites exhibit a suitable energy band structure, an oriented built-in electric field, and tight interfacial contacts, all of which collectively create an optimal pathway and driving force for the efficient transport of photoinduced charges. This, in turn, accelerates the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox cycle. Finally, M-D-MIL(Fe)/Cu-C3N4 demonstrates excellent photo-Fenton performance at low H2O2 concentrations (5 mM), with a kinetic rate (k) of 0.035 min⁻¹, which is 14.58, 18.42, 1.94, and 15.21 times higher than those of MIL-100(Fe), C3N4, M-D-MIL(Fe), and Cu-C3N4, respectively. The study presents an innovative idea with potential applications in environmental restoration.

Synthesis of heterojunction BiVO4/MnO2 graphene ternary nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activities through degradation of rhodamine B and tetracycline hydrochloride

Our research has resulted in synthesizing highly efficient BiVO4/MnO2 graphene ternary heterostructures prepared with a simple hydrothermal technique. These structures demonstrate exceptional performance in the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). Adding MnO2 and graphene oxide significantly enhanced the absorption of visible light, photocatalytic activity, and surface area of the nanocatalyst. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, DRS, and PL spectroscopy. The PL spectra of G/MnBV-4 show less intensity and lower recombination rate, which is beneficial for photocatalytic activity. The as-synthesized G/MnBV-4 material exhibits outstanding photocatalytic activities toward the TC and RhB dye degradation under visible light irradiation. The reaction rate constant of G/MnBV-4 was estimated in the case of RhB and TC as 0.094 min−1 and 0.021 min−1 respectively, showcasing the material's high efficiency. The optimized material (BiVO4/MnO2 graphene) is stable and reusable, with only a 10 % reduction in removal efficiency after five consecutive cycles. Furthermore, the OH− and O2− are active species for removing organic pollutants. In contrast, holes are attributed to a lower effect. This study describes a photocatalytic approach to effectively removing the TC from waste bodies. The enhanced degradation efficiencies were ascribed to developing heterostructures and fast electron transfer between interfaces. Moreover, graphene increased photogenerated charge carriers' surface adsorption properties and charge separation efficiency. Hence, graphene works as an electron trapper and tuning bandgap energy, which plays a significant role in addition to photocatalytic activity.

Photocatalytic performance of TiO2 modified with graphene derivatives and Fe (Ⅲ) at different thermal reduction temperatures

ABSTRACT To further investigate the synergistic effects of Fe (Ⅲ) and graphene derivatives with varying degrees of oxidation for photocatalysis, commercial titanium dioxide nanoparticles and graphene oxide were employed as precursors to synthesize the catalyst in this study. Graphene oxygenated derivatives and Fe (Ⅲ)-modified titanium dioxide photocatalysts with different oxidation degrees were prepared using a simple one-step solvothermal method. The results demonstrated that the photocatalytic performance in degrading rhodamine B and sulfamethoxazole was enhanced with an increase in the oxidation degrees of graphene materials. Through the combined action of delocalized conjugated π electrons as electron transfer mediators, Fe (Ⅲ) as an electron trap, and photosensitization reactions, titanium dioxide exhibited exceptional photocatalytic properties with the assistance of graphene derivatives and Fe (Ⅲ) co-catalysts in the degradation of organic compounds.

The Hydroxylated Carbon Nanotubes as the Hole Oxidation System in Electrocatalysis.

The hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTs-OH), due to their propensity to trap electrons, are considered in many applications. Despite many case studies, the effect of the electronic structure of the CNT-OH electrode on its oxidation properties has not received in-depth analysis. In the present study, we used Fe(CN)63-/4- and Ru(NH3)63+/2+ as redox probes, which differ in charge. The CNT-OH and CNT electrodes used in the cyclic voltammetry were in the form of freestanding films. The concentration of holes in the CNTs-OH, estimated from the upshift of the Raman G-feature, was 2.9×1013 cm-2. The standard rate constant of the heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) between Fe(CN)63-/4- and the CNTs-OH electrode was 25.9×10-4 cm·s-1. The value was more than four times higher than the HET rate on the CNT electrode (ks=6.3×10-4 cm·s-1), which proves excellent boosting of the redox reaction by the holes. The opposite effect was observed for the Ru(NH3)63+/2+ redox couple. While the redox reaction rate constant at the CNT electrode was 1.4×10-4 cm·s-1, there was a significant suppression of the redox reaction at the CNT-OH electrode (ks<0.1×10-4 cm·s-1). Based on the DFT calculations and the Gerischer model, we find that the boosting of the HET from the reduced form of the redox couple to CNT-OH occurs when the reduced forms of the redox couples are negatively charged and the occupied reduced states are aligned with acceptor states of the nanotube electrode.

Carbon defects-enriched NBC-C3N5@CoMn with ultrafast modulation of redox couples for efficient degradation of contaminant

The inefficiency of catalysts in sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) is primarily attributed to the sluggish circulation of redox couples. Herein, a carbon defects-enriched NBC-C3N5@CoMn (NCC) was synthesized through a self-assembly approach. The carbon defects within the NCC induce the electron trap effect, thereby facilitating the efficient cycling of redox couples in photo-Fenton-like processes during contaminant degradation. This effect enables the self-regeneration of the NCC catalyst. The reductive redox couples (Co (II) and Mn (II)) are continuously regenerated following the degradation process. Within the NCC, CoMn layered double hydroxides (LDHs) act as primary active sites, promoting the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), sulfate radicals (SO4•-) and singlet oxygen (1O2) through continuous electron gain and loss. Additionally, the internal electric field established within the NCC further accelerates electron transfer. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirm that the carbon defects-enriched NCC exhibits lower adsorption energies and higher electron transfer efficiencies than carbon defect-deficient NCC. This study introduces a novel photocatalyst with self-regenerating capabilities, presenting an innovative approach to regulate redox couples in SR-AOPs for sustainable degradation.

The energy transfer of electronic excitations to impurities in dosimetric phosphors [formula omitted]-Dy

The formation of new radiative states from the combination of Dy2+-SO4- and SO43--SO4- electron trapping centers in the range of 2.95–3.1 eV has been investigated using VUV and thermal activation spectroscopy. During the excitation process, there is a charge transfer between the oxygen ion of the sulfate anion and Dy3+ leading to the formation of a combined emissive state SO43-→SO4-. These states can be formed from the electron-hole trapping centers of Dy2+-SO4- and SO43--SO4-. The combined radiative state at 2.95–3.1 eV and impurity emission at 2.16 eV and 2.56 eV are excited simultaneously by photons of 3.95 eV and 4.5 eV, respectively. During the thermal or optical excitation process, the Dy2+ and SO43- electronic centers are ionized. Electrons recombine with a hole trapped by the ground state of the impurity (SO4--Dy3+), and the released energy is transferred to the Dy3+ impurities.

Sub-bandgap Photocurrent Spectra of p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells with n-Doped Fullerene Electron Transport Layers and Bias Illumination.

In p-i-n perovskite solar cells optical excitation of defect states at the interface between the perovskite and fullerene electron transport layer (ETL) creates a photocurrent responsible for a distinct sub-bandgap external quantum efficiency (EQE). The precise nature of these signals and their impact on cell performance are largely unknown. Here, the effect of n-doping the fullerene on the EQE spectra is studied. The n-doped fullerene is either deposited from solution or by coevaporation. The latter method is used to create undoped-doped fullerene bilayers and investigate the effect of the proximity of the doped region on the EQE spectra. The intensity of the sub-bandgap EQE increases when the ETL is n-doped and also when the device is biased with green light. Using these results, the sub-bandgap EQE signal is attributed to originate from electron trap states in the perovskite with an energy below the conduction band that are filled by excitation with low-energy photons. The trapped electrons give rise to photocurrent when they are collected at a nearby electrode. The enhanced sub-bandgap EQE observed when the ETL is n-doped or bias light is applied, is related to a higher probability to extract trapped electrons under these conditions.

Sulfur-doped g-C3N4/GaN n-n heterojunction for high performance low-power blue-ultraviolet photodetector with ultra-high on/off ratio and detectivity

Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) shares a structural similarity to graphene, yet it possesses a distinctive electronic band structure, rendering it promising for photoelectric applications. However, g-C3N4 faces inherent limitations such as inadequate crystalline quality, limited conductivity, and a short lifespan of photogenerated charge carriers, all of which impede the photoelectric conversion efficiency. In this work, we introduce a two-step thermal vapor condensation method for depositing compact, crack-free sulfur-doped g-C3N4 thin films. The doped thin films exhibit reduced interlayer spacing, which leads to improved conductivity and charge transfer capabilities. These processes culminate in the creation of sulfur-doped g-C3N4/GaN thin film heterojunction blue-ultraviolet photodetectors with remarkable photodetection performance, including an ultrahigh on/off ratio of 7.3 × 107 and specific detectivity of 2.06 × 1014 Jones under a low bias of −0.4 V. Moreover, it is found that the n-n heterojunction undergoes a transition from photodiode to photoconduction behavior, attributed to the photoinduced electron trapping effects by sulfur-doped sites, which outcomes a notable gain with the responsivity as high as 581 mA/W. These findings underscore the vast potential of high-quality sulfur-doped g-C3N4 thin films for photoelectric applications.

“Frozen” π-π stacking on perylene diimide molecules induces oxygen vacancies synergistic activation of persulfate towards degradation of tetracycline

Oxygen vacancy-rich self-assembled perylene diimide (OV-SA-PDI) supramolecules were prepared via freeze-drying, which froze the molecular backbone by retaining π-π stacking to induce additional OVs. The OVs content on OV-SA-PDI (1.956 × 1013 spins·mm−3) was 1.9 times that of SA-PDI (1.029 × 1013 spins·mm−3) with vacuum drying. The photocatalytic performance of OV-SA-PDI was demonstrated to be excellent in activating persulfate (PS) to degrade tetracycline (TC), achieving a remarkable degradation efficiency of 94.6% in 60 min under visible light (Vis). Mechanistic studies revealed a synergistic interaction among OV-SA-PDI, PS, and Vis to produce an abundance of active species. Vis activated a small portion of PS to produce ∙OH and SO4∙−, whereas the photogenerated electrons generated by OV-SA-PDI directly cleaved the O-O bond to produce abundant SO4∙−. Furthermore, the OVs acted as an electron trap to promote carrier separation and produced 10.0 μM 1O2 within 12 min. The active species were determined to decompose TC into low-toxicity products with lower molecular weights (m/z = 352, 340, and 227). This study presented a novel approach to the introduction of OVs into organic semiconductors and offered a mechanistic analysis of the synergistic relationship between defective organic semiconductors and sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment.

Highly Efficient Hybrid White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes with External Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 30% by Integrating Electron‐Trapping Sensitized Structure and Gradient‐Doping System

AbstractIn this work, efficient two‐color (blue and yellow) hybrid white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs) with high efficiencies are constructed by introducing iridium(III) bis(4,6‐(difluorophenyl) pyridinato‐N,C2’)picolinate (FIrpic) as electron sensitizer. Experimental results demonstrate that FIrpic with the deep lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level enables preferential electron trapping to collect excessive electrons, thus realizing carrier's balance and high recombination probability. The obtained cool WOLED exhibits the maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE), current efficiency (ηc), and power efficiency (ηp) of 31.05%, 76.36 cd A−1 and 69.92 lm W−1, respectively. Moreover, by gradient doping FIrpic into yellow EML, the generated forward built‐in electric field originating from gradient electrons distribution reduces carriers transport resistance and improves the transport of holes; the diffusion effect of gradient electrons distribution promotes electrons’ transport, thus enhancing the utilization probabilities of carriers and excitons. Besides, FIrpic acts also as an energy transfer ladder to facilitate the energy transfer from host to yellow emitter. Consequently, warm WOLED with enhanced yellow emission achieves the maximum EQE, ηc, and ηp of 33.27%, 75.66 cd A−1 and 88.04 lm W−1, respectively.

Harvesting surface (interfacial) energy for tribocatalytic degradation of hazardous dye pollutants using nanostructured materials: A review

AbstractIntroductionTribocatalysis, an emerging cutting‐edge technique that uses frictional mechanical energy to activate the catalytic operation of a reaction or material including nanomaterials has garnered the interest of the research community in recent times.AimThis study aimed to critically review original research works directed toward tribocatalytic degradation of various hazardous dye pollutants. Notably, in this review, various nanomaterials and their composites with outstanding tailored degradation profiles are explored for their tribocatalytic degradation efficiency for various dye pollutants. In addition, the effect of various operating factors that are of importance to engineers, industries, and investors for optimization purposes was pragmatically discussed. Also, the effect of electron trapping and radical scavengers alongside the mechanism of tribocatalytic degradation was empirically analyzed.ResultsFrom this work, it was found that the maximum tribocatalytic degradation efficiency was &gt;80% in most cases at an optimum temperature of 20–40°C, time taken of 0.5‐48 hours, and stirring speed of 500‐1000rmp. It was discovered that magnetic stirring enhances the production of •OH, O2•, and h+ by the nanomaterials that are mechanistically responsible for the degradation of the dye pollutants. Also, it was revealed that expended tribocatalyst can be eluted mostly using H2O and can be reused up to 3–10 times while still sustaining degradation efficiency of &gt;80% in most cases and this suggests the industrial scalability and eco‐friendliness potential of this approach.ConclusionIn the end, challenges and research gaps that can pave the way for method improvement and also serve as future research hotspots for researchers were presented.

Constructing plasmonic bi-enhanced chrysanthemum-like Bi/BiOClBr microspheres for efficient photocatalytic decontamination of organic pollutants

Exploring cost-effective and highly active photocatalysts is crucial for achieving the thorough breakdown of pollutants and addressing the inherent drawbacks of current photocatalytic technologies. In this research, a chrysanthemum-like Bi/BiOClBr photocatalyst was obtained for the first time using a straightforward solvothermal means. Various analytical methods were utilized to comprehensively analyze the characteristics of the composite materials. The exceptional photocatalytic effectiveness of Bi/BiOClBr was demonstrated by its efficient removal of pollutants such as rhodamine (RhB), tetracycline (TC) and ofloxacin (OFX). The presence of BiOCl and BiOBr heterostructures facilitated the movement of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, by incorporating metallic Bi into the composite, which manifests a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, we not only notably augmented the composite's ability to absorb visible light but also functioned as an “electron trap,” thereby enhancing the efficiency of separating and transferring photogenerated electrons and holes. This work offered innovative perspectives in the development and fabrication of noble metal-free, decorated semiconductor photocatalysts with outstanding activity and reusability.

A Physics-Based Model for Slow Gate-Induced Electron Trapping in GaN HEMTs

A Physics-Based Model for Slow Gate-Induced Electron Trapping in GaN HEMTs