Synthesis Of Photocatalysts Research Articles

Surfactants Modulating of BiVO4 on Photocatalytic Property as a Regulation of Surface Free Energy.

BiVO4 is a stable photocatalytic material but has poor photocatalytic activity in visible light. Herein, the surfactants were investigated to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) of BiVO4 through a hydrothermal method. The different molecular structures and properties of surfactant-modified BiVO4 show clustered small spheres and stacked plate-like microcrystals. The N-hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC)-modified BiVO4 (BiVO4-CTAC) with stacked plate-like morphology increases the light absorption range and decreases the energy band gap. Surfactants with different hydrophilic groups and molecular structures affect the formation process of BiVO4, regulating the morphology, crystal structure, and crystalline surface exposure of BiVO4. BiVO4-CTAC has demonstrated superior TC degradation efficiency compared with the original BiVO4 (BiVO4-Blank). This enhancement is attributed to the observation in the Nyquist plot, where BiVO4-CTAC exhibits the smallest arc radius, indicative of reduced charge transfer resistance and improved charge separation. Furthermore, holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2-) reactive species are the main active radicals for TC photocatalytic degradation. This study develops a novel method to synthesize monoclinic phase lamellar BiVO4 materials by simply changing the surfactant type. This study holds potential implications for advancing surfactant-assisted synthesis of high-efficiency photocatalysts.

Recent Developments in Applications of G-CuO Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Dye Removal

Abstract The extensive application of synthetic dyes across industries poses significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water quality degradation. Regarding the possible solutions, copper oxide (CuO) stands out as a feasible candidate. Being a p-type Nano-heterogeneous semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.2–2.71 eV, CuO is a reasonable choice and widely studied photocatalyst for addressing such challenges. When the wavelength exceeded the UV-visible region, its functionality showed deterioration. At the same time, there are difficulties associated with reproducibility and reusability, as well as rapid electron-hole recombination, which prevent the widespread application of this technology within this spectral range. In an attempt to eliminate this defect, researchers have been investigating strategies to activate CuO under visible light, with one promising approach being carbon nanomaterials such as graphene to form carbon-CuO composites. The unique properties of graphene, i.e., its large surface area and excellent electron mobility, make it a remarkable candidate for the enhancement of CuO photoactivity. This study highlighted the recent progress in the synthesis of graphene-based CuO photocatalysts, with the main characteristic of extending the light absorption capacity of CuO into the visible spectrum. It reveals achievements in material innovations and applications, with a focus on photocatalytic dye degradation. These breakthroughs are a sign that the field is growing in popularity and is evolving.

1T/2H-MoS2/CdS heterojunction for the co-production of lactic acid photoreforming to hydrogen and value-added chemicals

Solar-driven photoreforming of biomass to obtain green and clean energy H2 and high value-added chemicals is one of the most promising approach to tackle problems concerning energy crisis and environmental pollution. To achieve this goal, the design and synthesis of photocatalysts with efficient photocatalysis and selectivity is a top priority. We synthesized lamellar composition of floral MoS2-modified CdS composites to reform biomass-derived lactic acid efficiently and selectively to tartaric acid derivatives, pyruvic acid and H2. During photocatalysis, there is accumulation of photogenerated electrons on MoS2 as a reduction center for hydrogen-extraction reaction. The holes on CdS activate α-C-H and α-O-H in lactic acid to form the carbon-centered radical ⋅CCH3(OH)COOH and the oxygen-centered radical ⋅OCH(CH3)COOH. ⋅CCH3(OH)COOH was preferentially adopted for the coupling pathway to yield tartaric acid derivatives, and ⋅OCH(CH3)COOH was further dehydrogenated to form pyruvic acid. The liquid phase product of CdS was dominated by tartaric acid derivatives with a maximum selectivity of 75.0%. The liquid phase product of CdS/MoS2-7% was dominated by pyruvic acid with a maximum selectivity of 80.0%.

Synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction

Synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction

Molecular doping of graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced visible light-driven photodegradation of organic contaminants

Utilizing solar energy for photodegradation of organic contaminants is an attractive strategy for environmental remediation. However, the synthesis of photocatalysts for efficient use of solar energy remains a challenge. Herein, we designed and synthesized a hierarchical and porous g-C3N4 (CN) via thermal polymerization of 5-amino-1H-tetrazole (ATZ) and melamine molecules. Experimental results demonstrate that the incorporation of electron-deficient ATZ into the CN structure drastically promotes the separation and transport of photoexcited charge carriers, and increases the specific surface area and pore size of the sample. Based on these unique features, the optimal CN-ATZ1 sample exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity with a rate constant of 0.091 min−1 for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation, which was about 10.71 times higher than that of bulk CN. Radical trapping experiments demonstrate that the superoxide radical (•O2−) is the major active species during the photodegradation process. This study provides a feasible strategy for the design and construction of g-C3N4 photocatalysts with high degradation activity.

Hydrogen Production Through Water Splitting Reactions Using Zn-Al-In Mixed Metal Oxide Nanocomposite Photocatalysts Induced by Visible Light

In this study, the synthesis of hybrid photocatalysts of Zn-Al-In mixed metal oxides were activated by using visible light, derived from Zn-Al-In layered double hydroxide (ZnAlIn-LDH), and these nanocomposites demonstrated high efficiency for photocatalytic H2 production under UV light when using methanol as a sacrificial agent. The most active photocatalytic material produced 372 μmol h−1 g−1 of H2. The characterization of these materials included X-ray diffraction (DRX), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray spectroscopy (XEDS), scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and N2- physisorption. In addition, the materials were characterized by photoelectrochemical techniques to explain the photocatalytic behavior. Subsequently, the photocatalytic performance for the water-splitting reactions under visible irradiation was evaluated. The ZnAlIn-MMOs with an In/(Al + In) molar ratio of 0.45 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity in tests under visible light, attributed to the efficient separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers originating from the new nanocomposite. This discovery indicates a method for developing new types of heteronanostructured photocatalysts which are activated by visible light.

Synthesis of Photocatalyst Based on WO3 Applying for the Treatment of Tetracycline Antibiotics

In this paper, WO3/g-C3N4 photocatalysts were fabricated by ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal method at different mole ratios of WO3/g-C3N4. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) results indicated that WO3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with the WO3/g-C3N4 mole ratio of 1/1 (WC-1) showed visible light absorption ability and prevented electron-hole recombination rate better than WO3, g-C3N4 and other composites. The photocatalytic activities of synthesized photocatalysts were investigated by the photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics under visible light. The degradation efficiency of TC in aqueous environment by the WC-1 was 79.35% after 180 minutes. This value was higher than those of other materials. The improvement in photocatalytic property of the WO3/g-C3N4 was due to the efficient generation of electrons and holes.

Visible-Light-Driven Oxidation of Benzene to Phenol with O2 over Photoinduced Oxygen-Vacancy-Rich WO3.

Direct photocatalytic conversion of benzene to phenol with molecular oxygen (O2) is a green alternative to the traditional synthesis. The key is to find an effective photocatalyst to do the trick. Defect engineering of semiconductors with oxygen vacancies (OVs) is an emerging strategy for catalyst fabrication. OVs can trap electrons to promote charge separation and serving as adsorption sites for O2 activation. However, the randomly distribution of OVs on the semiconductor surface often results in mismatching the charge carrier dynamics under irradiation, thus failing to fulfill the unique advantages of OVs for photoredox functions. Herein, we demonstrate that abundant OVs can be facilely generated and precisely located adjacent to the reductive sites on reducible oxide semiconductors such as tungsten oxide (WO3) via a simple photochemistry strategy. Such photoinduced OVs are well suited for photocatalytic benzene oxidation with O2 as they readily capture photogenerated electrons from the reductive sites of WO3 to activate adsorbed O2. The oxygen-isotope-labeling experiments further confirm that the OVs also facilitate the integration of oxygen atoms from O2 into phenol, revealing in detail the pathway for photocatalytic benzene hydroxylation. This study demonstrates that the photochemistry approach is an appealing strategy for the synthesis of high-performance OVs-rich photocatalysts for solar-induced chemical conversion.

Study on the photocatalytic properties of the ternary ZnO/MgAl-LDH/FeOOH composite photocatalyst with a Type-II and S-scheme linked carrier migration mechanism in degrading TC solution

The synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts represents a pivotal aspect of research into photocatalytic degradation technology. In order to address this need, a novel ZnO/MgAl-LDH/FeOOH ternary composite photocatalyst has been synthesized via a multi-step process involving the hydrothermal, calcination and ultrasonic-assisted wet impregnation methods. The ternary composite photocatalyst was observed to demonstrate effective separation of photogenerated carriers in photocatalysis, following a Type-II and S-scheme linked carrier migration mechanism. An examination of the photocatalytic characteristics of the composite photocatalyst in the degradation of a tetracycline (TC) solution revealed that the reduction of •O2- radicals and the oxidation of •OH radicals resulted in the effective degradation of the TC solution. The degradation efficiency of the TC solution under the photocatalysis of the ternary composite photocatalyst was observed to be 1.54, 1.11 and 3.15 times that of the single-component samples of ZnO, MgAl-LDH and FeOOH, respectively, in 30 min. Moreover, the degradation pathway of TC molecules under the photocatalysis of the composite has been elucidated. The research findings provide a foundation for further investigation into this composite photocatalyst.

Synthesis of SrTiO3 nanoparticles for photocatalytic applications

Due to the heightened emphasis on environmental protection and the escalating demand for renewable energy sources, the potential applications of strontium titanate (SrTiO3) nanoparticles in photocatalysis have shown remarkable promise. With rapid advancements in technological capabilities, the standards for SrTiO3 photocatalytic materials have soared. Researchers have relentlessly delved into and innovated techniques for preparing strontium titanate powders, striving to yield nanocrystalline SrTiO3 that exhibits specific morphologies, high purity, superior dispersibility, and exceptional photocatalytic efficiency, while continually refining the properties of these powders. The paper encapsulates the advancements in preparation methodologies and photocatalytic attributes of perovskite SrTiO3 nanoparticles, encompassing diverse synthetic routes such as hydrothermal synthesis, sol-gel process, chemical precipitation, solid-state reaction, sonochemical technique, and composite modification strategies. The characteristics, merits, demerits, and prevailing challenges associated with each synthesis technique are thoroughly and analyzed. Ultimately, this review serves as a valuable reference and foundation for the synthesis, modification, and application of SrTiO3 nanoparticle photocatalysts, fostering their development and practical implementation in environmental remediation and renewable energy technologies.

Cysteine assisted synthesis of Bi2S3/BiOBr nanocomposites for photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine B

Novel Bi2S3/BiOBr nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared via L-Cysteine-assisted hydrothermal avenue as efficient photocatalysts to degrade rhodamine B (RhB). As a result, the obtained Bi2S3/BiOBr NCs exhibited the slice-like microstructure with the average diameters of ca. 100 nm. The elemental analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that the nanocomposites were combined by Bi2S3 and BiOBr. Then, the photo-induced degradation of RhB was performed with a Xenon lamp to simulate the sunlight ([Formula: see text] 400 nm) and the photo-decomposition rate was calculated. The following results showed that the Bi2S3/BiOBr NCs possessed excellent photocatalytice performance, which was better than that of other samples as control. Thus, this avenue provides a new reference for the facile synthesis of photocatalysts with low cost and high efficiency.

Construction of direct Z-scheme Sn3O4/WO3 heterostructure photocatalyst for enhanced Congo red degradation and Cr(Ⅵ) reduction performance

The development of well-designed architectures is crucial in accelerating the transport of photon-generated carriers in composite photocatalysts. In this study, a direct Z-scheme Sn3O4/WO3 (SW) photocatalyst was successfully fabricated utilizing a straightforward hydro/solvothermal approach, where Sn3O4 nanosheets (NSs) grew in-situ onto WO3 nanorods (NRs) uniformly. The optimal SW-2 composite exhibits a remarkable reduction rate of 93.5 % for Congo Red (CR) within 40 min, with a rate constant (k) of 0.075 min−1. This performance surpasses that of pristine Sn3O4 and WO3, which have rate constants of 0.027 min−1 and 0.018 min−1, respectively. Additionally, the SW-2 composite effectively removes 89.2 % of Cr(VI) over 100 min, achieving a k value of 0.019 min−1, which is higher than that of Sn3O4 (0.013 min−1) and WO3 (0.001 min−1). Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation performance of the recovered samples retains their photocatalytic degradation performance after five consecutive experimental cycles, indicating excellent durability. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the construction of a direct Z-scheme heterostructure, which not only broadens the spectral response range, bur also ensures efficient separation of photoexcited carriers and fosters robust photo-redox capacity within the composite. This study is expected to provide some valuable insights into the design and synthesis of Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts, aimed at addressing pressing environmental pollution challenges.

Harnessing Visible Light for CO2 Conversion: The Role of Highly Reduced Phosphomolybdate Crystals as Powerful Photocatalysts.

Heterogeneous photocatalysts, characterized by well-defined atomic structures and the capacity for rapid, directional electron transfer, are pivotal in the exploration and development of highly efficient systems for visible-light-driven diluted CO2 reduction. Herein, we constructed highly reduced phosphomolybdates crystalline materials 1-3 to help this process, with the formula of [Co2(C8N3H7)4][Co2(C8N3H7)4(H2O)2][Co(H7P4Mo6O31)2]·8H2O (1), [Ni2(C8N3H7)4(H2O)2][Ni2(C8N3H7)4][Ni(H2O)4][Ni(H6P4Mo6O31)2]·3H2O·2C2H5OH (2), and [Zn2(C8N3H7)2][Zn2(C8N3H7)4][Zn2(C8N3H7)2(H2O)2][Zn(H5P4Mo6O31)2] (3) [C8N3H7 = 2-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine]. Specifically, catalyst 1 demonstrated a CO production rate of 3276.4 μmol g-1 h-1 in an environment with 20% CO2 concentration, and an impressively elevated rate of 10740.3 μmol g-1 h-1 in a pure CO2 atmosphere. Steady-state photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the directional migration of photoelectrons from the Ru complexes to the catalyst was instrumental in enhancing the catalytic activity. This study provides valuable insights into the rational operation of low-concentration CO2 conversion treatment and the design and synthesis of photocatalysts.

Solar Selective Photooxidation of Veratryl Alcohol by Suppression of Reactive Oxygen Species Through Band Modulation in the BiOI/Bi4Ti3O12 Heterojunction.

Lignin valorization through heterogeneous photocatalysis is a promising pathway for obtaining value-added products, including chemical building blocks, biofuels, etc. However, several challenges still demand attention and resolution in this field. One of the key parameters in the heterogeneous photocatalytic process is the synthesis of efficient photocatalysts that can accomplish efficient and selective reactions. Selective conversion of lignin can be achieved by using heterojunction photocatalysts which can efficiently separate charge carriers' and promote selective reactions by band structure modulation. This work details a straightforward approach for synthesizing heterojunction photocatalysts based on Bi4Ti3O12 and BiOI involving the hydrothermal and co-precipitation methods. Additionally, the synthesized composites were employed in the selective oxidation of veratryl alcohol, a lignin-derived model compound, to produce high-value-added veratraldehyde. The experimental results showed that the BiOI/Bi4Ti3O12 heterojunction (12.5 mol % BiOI) showed superior activity with a veratraldehyde yield of 5.4 and 27.2 times higher than those of Bi4Ti3O12 and BiOI, respectively. The mechanistic studies revealed that the improved activity and selectivity were due to the enhanced charge carriers' separation and the suppression of reactive oxygen species formation through modulation of band structure. This study allows a green approach to lignin-derived biomass valorization to obtain high-value chemicals.

Hierarchical TiO2 nanostructures sensitized with MoS2 nanosheets: an efficient and reusable heterojunction photocatalyst for sunlight-assisted degradation of organic dye pollutants

Abstract The present study reports the synthesis, characterization, and natural sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity of a novel heterojunction photocatalyst comprised of hierarchical rutile titanium dioxide (r-TiO2) nanostructures and 1T/2H molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)nanosheets. These components were synthesized by solvothermal methods and their effective integration was achieved by using 3- aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as coupling agent. The photocatalytic activity of r-TiO2/MoS2 nanohybrid was explored for the degradation of cationic dye methylene blue (MB), and anionic dye congo red (CR) under natural sunlight. The results reveal that the sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity of pristine r-TiO2 was drastically enhanced upon sensitization with 1T/2H MoS2 nanosheets. The nanohybrid could degrade 99% MB and 98% CR within 150 min with rate constants 25.6×10−3 and 13.2×10−3 min−1respectively. The r-TiO2/MoS2 nanohybrid retained more than 85% of its catalytic activity even after four cycles of reuse. The scavenger test revealed that holes and hydroxyl radicals are mainly responsible for the degradation of MB and CR. The facile synthesis, outstanding catalytic activity under natural sunlight, and excellent recyclability make r-TiO2/MoS2 a promising heterojunction photocatalyst for the degradation of environmental pollutants from wastewater. The present study can provide new insights towards the development of efficient, economical and sustainable photocatalysts for harnessing renewable solar energy for environmental remediation applications.

Copper-based photocatalysts with natural organic ligands for efficient removal of tetracycline under visible light

The excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as tetracycline, presents a significant challenge to human survival and development. Oxygen vacancies (OVs) metal-organic framework (MOF) materials were synthesized using natural organic acids (L-malic acid, L-aspartic acid, and L-asparagine) with similar structures but different charge densities, along with copper as the metal linking agent. The presence of oxygen vacancies in the catalyst provides abundant active sites for photocatalytic reactions. The employment of flexible straight-chain organic ligands devoid of rigid polycyclic rings, combined with the incorporation of different substituents to induce variations in charge density, the resulting catalysts exhibit distinct photocatalytic activities under visible light. Density functional theory calculations confirm that L-asparagine exhibits the largest electron density difference, and the Cu-based MOF (Cu-ASU) synthesized as an organic ligand exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light excitation. The catalyst displayed remarkable photocatalytic activity against tetracycline antibiotics under identical conditions (with removal rates of 93.5 % for tetracycline, 81.4 % for terramycin, and 95.6 % for chloramphenicol hydrochloride). This provides a novel approach for the design and synthesis of photocatalysts for the removal of antibiotics from water.

Photocatalytic activity of molybdenum-doped LOS- zeolite for efficient dye degradation and hydrogen production

This research investigates the synthesis and application of Losod-zeolite (LOS-Z), a crystalline hydrated sodium aluminosilicate (Na12Al12Si12O48.xH2O) as a potential photocatalyst for dye degradation and H2 production from dye-degraded water. The photocatalytic properties are enhanced by impregnating molybdenum (Mo) into LOS-Z (Mo@LOS-Z). XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping were used to study the physicochemical properties of synthesized materials while UV–vis and PL were employed to explore the optoelectronic properties. The photocatalytic activities for dye degradation and H2 production were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. An enhancement in the efficiency of dye degradation (56%–82%) and H2 production rate was demonstrated due to the competitive photocatalytic performance of 10% Mo@LOS-Z compared to the pristine LOS-Z and CFA-BFA blend. It exhibited 2.5 times higher (∼1200 μmol g−1h−1) H2 production than the LOS-Z (∼480 μmol g−1h−1) due to the synergistic effects of narrowed band gap and recombination rate. This study could pave the way forward into the synthesis of waste-derived photocatalysts for efficient dye degradation and H2 production.

Fabrication and photocatalysis of novel Z-scheme Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl heterojunction possessed broad-spectrum antibacterial performance and degradation capabilities

The construction of nanostructured Z-heterostructures is a potent strategy for achieving efficient photocatalyst synthesis. Herein, a novel Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl (CCAA) Z-scheme heterostructure was created via photoreduction precipitation and utilized for pollutant decomposition and microorganism inactivation. Subject to visible light (λ > 420 nm) illumination, specimen CCAA-2 demonstrated superior photodegradation competence for Congo Red (CR), achieving a degradation rate of 92.6 % within 60 min. The superior removal performance is attributed to the Z-scheme heterostructure, featuring precise interfacial contact, and the combined effect of adsorption and photocatalytic activity. Meanwhile, the optimal sample, CCAA-2, was able to achieve 100 % inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within 15 min under visible light. The photocatalytic performance of CCAA nanocomposites is primarily attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of the noble metal Ag and the fabrication of Z-Scheme heterostructures to improve the utilization efficiency of electrons (e-) and holes (h+). Particularly, the photocatalytic mechanism was scrutinized via active substance capture experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis, uncovering that •O2ˉ and h+ served as key active constituents. Hence, this research presents a feasible approach for designing and constructing Z-Scheme heterojunctions for efficacious removal of contaminants from water.

Template-synthesized CdWO4/Cd0.5Zn0.5S hollow microsphere photocatalyst for high-efficient hydrogen evolution under visible light

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is a promising strategy for renewable energy. While Cd1-XZnXS catalysts display high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency in pure water, they are limited by severe photocorrosion and rapid recombination of electron–hole pairs. In this study, HGM (hollow glass microspheres) was used as the support template, Cd0.5Zn0.5S and CdWO4 were successively coated on the template by hydrothermal method. The tightly packed heterojunction interface between the coatings ensures efficient electron transport and suppresses the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Under visible light irradiation, when the theoretical mass ratio of Cd0.5Zn0.5S to CdWO4 is 4:1, the Cd0.5Zn0.5S/CdWO4-25% hollow microsphere photocatalyst exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution rate, reaching 41.40 mmol g−1 h−1, which is approximately 3.4 times higher than the hydrogen evolution rate of pure Cd0.5Zn0.5S (12.31 mmol g−1 h−1). This research provides a novel approach for the design and synthesis of efficient and stable photocatalysts.

Needle growth of Nb2O5 nanoparticles on BiOCl nanosheets to fabricate S-scheme heterojunction with oxygen vacancies for enhanced photooxidation of cyclohexane

The exploration of cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and high-efficacy photocatalysts for the enhanced selective photooxidation of cyclohexane to KA oil (cyclohexanone (CHA-one) and cyclohexanol (CHA-ol)) is a pivotal challenge in the industrial realm. Herein, the present study focuses on the synthesis of needle-like S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with oxygen vacancies, which are achieved by the needle growth integration of nano-sized Nb2O5 particles onto the BiOCl nanosheets. Remarkably, the 40 % Nb2O5/BiOCl composites exhibited superior performance in the solvent-free photooxidation of cyclohexane at room-temperature and under atmospheric pressure. The production yield of KA oil was 180.3 μmol (CHA-one/CHA-ol molar ratio = 3.5), and exceptional selectivity towards KA oil, reaching up to 99.3 %. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency in cyclohexane oxidation can be attributed to the unique S-scheme heterogeneous interfaces with specific nanoneedle morphology, which result in the enhanced photonic absorption, effective charge carrier separation, a high density of oxygen vacancies, and the exposure of the highly reactive (001) plane of BiOCl. The excellent interfacial charge separation and transfer pathways of S-scheme heterojunction are disclosed by the in-depth EPR analysis and DFT calculations. These insights highlight the significant potential of the needle-like Bi-based S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for the efficient photooxidation of saturated alkanes.