Ternary Heterojunction Research Articles

Construction of BiVO4/g-C3N4/Ag3PO4 ternary heterojunction with double Z-scheme and its photocatalytic and bacteriostatic properties

A novel Bi-composite photocatalyst BiVO4/g-C3N4/Ag3PO4 with a double Z-scheme structure was prepared by hydrothermal method assisted by honeysuckle extract. When the mass fraction of Ag3PO4 in the composite is 10 %, the inactivation rates of E.coli and S. aureus were 6.9 and 4.6 log, respectively. The MIC results were 0.6 and 0.8 mg/ml, respectively. The capture experiment confirmed that h+ and O2− were the main active substances that catalyzed bacteriostasis. Double Z heterojunction reduces the photochemical corrosion of Ag3PO4, changes the transmission path of photogenerated electrons, and then promotes the separation of photogenerated electron holes, thus obtaining significant photocatalytic activity.

Novel S-scheme WO3/ZnO-modified g-C3N4 heterojunction for optimizing norfloxacin photodegradation condition via DoE: Synthesis, characterization, and mechanism evaluation

Norfloxacin, an antimicrobial agent, has been recurrently observed in municipal wastewater facilities, posing a conjectured threat to human health and environmental integrity. Herein, novel ternary heterojunction of WO3/ZnO-modified g-C3N4 was fabricated utilizing the impregnation technique for the organic pollutant degradation, presenting a significant challenge. XRD, XPS, TEM, HR-TEM, SEM, EDS, BET, EIS, Mott-Schottky, ESR, PL, photocurrent, and DRS techniques were used to explore the structural, morphological, textural, and optical features of the produced materials. In this ternary system, ZnO served as an electron transfer conduit, facilitating the formation of a heterojunction interface between the semiconductor constituents. Establishment of the S-scheme within the charge transfer dynamics of the heterojunction markedly augmented charge separation, enhancing the efficacy of the photocatalytic activity. Under optimized conditions via the DoE software (i.e.; photocatalyst dosage: 0.54 g/L, NOR concentration: 25.87 mg/L, Irradiation time: 41.71 min and pH: 6.9), 97.19 % of NOR elimination was achieved by the optimized 20-WZC photocatalyst with a pseudo-first-order kinetic model (k = 0.05 min−1). ESR data, alongside quenching experiments, corroborated the pivotal involvement of O2−, OH, and h+ in the NOR degradation mechanism. The investigation of NOR's potential decontamination pathways was performed using HRLC-MS. TOC analysis revealed a significant mineralization of 82.45 %, indicating the conversion of NOR into H2O, CO2, and other degradable substances. The optimized photocatalyst also demonstrated notable efficiency in the degradation of Tetracycline: 98.15 %, Ciprofloxacin: 93.27 %, Methylene Blue: 98.89 %, and Enrofloxacin: 91.54 % pollutants. The photocatalytic activity of the 20-WZC catalyst remained consistently high, without significant reduction, over five successive cycles.

Overcoming Tumor Hypoxic Bismuth-based Ternary Heterojunctions Enable Defect Modulation-augmented Tumor Sonocatalytic Immunotherapy

Overcoming Tumor Hypoxic Bismuth-based Ternary Heterojunctions Enable Defect Modulation-augmented Tumor Sonocatalytic Immunotherapy

Hierarchical MoO2@MoS2 heterojunction nanosheets anchored with metal-organic framework-derived CoFe alloy as bifunctional catalysts for flexible zinc-air batteries

Crafting a robust, high-performance, non-precious metal-based flexible air electrode is crucial for realizing flexible zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, hierarchical MoO2 and MoS2 heterojunction nanosheets grown on carbon cloth (CC) are prepared through a simple hydrothermal reaction followed by calcination. Afterward, through self-assembly and high-temperature carbonization of zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) and Materials of Institute Lavoisier-101 (MIL-101) on the heterojunction nanosheets, a hierarchical structure of nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) encapsulated CoFe alloy nanoparticles (NPs) supported on MoO2@MoS2 heterojunction nanosheets (CC/MoS2@MoO2@CoFe) is obtained. It exhibits remarkable activity and durability for both bifunctional oxygen evolution and reduction reactions (OER/ORR), attributed to the ternary heterojunction formed by NC-coated CoFe alloy NPs uniformly dispersed among the MoO2@MoS2 nanosheets, along with oxygen vacancies at heterogeneous interfaces between MoS2, MoO2, and Co0.72Fe0.28 alloy. As a binder-less self-supporting electrode, the assembled aqueous ZAB demonstrates a maximum power density of 113.6 mW cm–2, surpassing that of Pt/C + RuO2 (75.2 mW cm–2), along with excellent cycling stability. Furthermore, the CC/MoS2@MoO2@CoFe-based flexible ZABs achieve a maximum power density of 54.1 mW cm–2, exhibit good cycling stability for up to 120 cycles, and show outstanding flexibility. This study paves the way for the practical integration of flexible ZABs into wearable electronic devices, heralding a new era of portable power solutions.

Unveiling ternary NiS@NC/CdS heterojunction synergistically induced superior photo/electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Herein, a ternary NiS@NC/CdS heterojunction is designed and synthesized by in situ depositing CdS on the hierarchical flower-like NiS2@NC derived from porous Ni-ZIF template for a superior photo/electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The findings reveal that the introduced Cd atoms could react with S atoms from NiS2 to form CdS, and meantime the original NiS2 crystal phase transforms into a new NiS phase, which results in tight contact between CdS and NiS, and further facilitates efficient formation of ternary heterojunction among CdS, NiS and N doped porous carbon. As a result, the synthesized ternary NiS@NC/CdS heterojunction exhibits a superior photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity, up to 15.4 mmol/gcat in 3 hours, in the absence of Pt cocatalyst, which is 2.3 and 230 times higher than that of NiS2@NC and CdS, respectively. The results demonstrate that the introduction of CdS can efficiently enhance the production of photogenerated carriers, and the presence of ternary heterojunction can further improve the separation and transportation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the presence of CdS and carbon efficiently reduces the adsorption energy of H*, leading to a significant enhancement of hydrogen evolution performance. This work provides a new perspective for improving the photo/electrocatalytic activity of MOFs-derived carbon materials.

Constructing dual-channel carrier transport in AgBr/BiOBr/Ag3PO4 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic NO removal

Efficient and stable photocatalysts are indispensable for effectively reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. This study presents a facile method for synthesizing AgBr/BiOBr/Ag3PO4 composites and investigates their application in photocatalytic NO removal. The optimized composite exhibited notable performance, achieving 54.95 % removal of NO (approximately 568 ppb reduced to 256 ppb) under visible light irradiation, which is about 1.6 and 2.0 times higher than single Ag3PO4 (34.95 %) and BiOBr (28.01 %), respectively. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization highlighted enhancements in light absorption and the generation of reactive radicals within the AgBr/BiOBr/Ag3PO4 composite. The favorable electronic structure, characterized by well-aligned redox band positions, facilitated efficient dual carrier transport routes, thereby promoting the separation of photo-generated charge carriers. Additionally, in-situ DRIFTS analysis revealed that the composite facilitated the conversion of intermediates into nitrates during the NO purification process. This work contributes valuable insights into designing and preparing of ternary heterojunction photocatalysts with dual carrier transport channels, advancing strategies for achieving superior photocatalytic performance.

Synergistic photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3/g-C3N4/ZnO ternary heterojunction with dual Z-scheme charge transfer towards textile dye degradation

It is clear that a wide range of organic substances, including synthetic textile dyes, have the potential to negatively impact the environment. It is crucial to rationally develop highly effective photocatalysts for the degradation of such type of pollutants. In this regard, a heterostructured photocatalyst comes with enhanced charge separation and extended light absorption ability that improves photocatalytic performance. Therefore, In this study, a Bi2O3/g-C3N4/ZnO (BCNZ) ternary heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) textile dye.. Thermal polycondensation method was opted to synthesize g-C3N4, while ZnO and Bi2O3 photocatalysts were fabricated using co-precipitation method. Similarly, ternary heterojunction of BCNZ was constructed through co-precipitation method. The ternary heterojunction photocatalyst demonstrated better photodegradation ability due to dual Z-scheme charge transfer route. The dual Z-scheme heterojunction enabled the ternary heterojunction to exhibit enhanced light absorption capabilities with reduced recombination rates as well as enhanced charge separation and migration efficiency (confirmed via transient photocurrent response) that resulted in improved photocatalytic performance. The BCNZ dual Z-scheme photocatalyst displayed 92 % of degradation efficiency which was much higher than that of other (binary and pristine) photocatalysts. Scavenging tests and electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed the significant role of the •O2−, and •OH radicals in the photodegradation of MB. Furthermore, the reusability test presented good stability and recyclability of the ternary photocatalyst with 80 % degradation efficiency after five catalytic cycles.

Innovative synthesis of ternary heterojunction CuInS2/BiOI/Bi2MoO6 for 2,4-DCP degradation and its dechlorination performance

This study focuses on a novel ternary heterojunction catalyst for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), an organic pollutant that is difficult to degrade. An efficient CuInS2/BiOI/Bi2MoO6 ternary heterojunction photocatalyst was formed by constructing a CuInS2/BiOI composite layer on a Bi2MoO6 substrate using an in-situ growth technique. The microstructure and photoelectric conversion properties of the catalysts were comprehensively resolved by systematic material characterization, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and photoelectrochemical testing. The experimental results showed that the optimized catalyst at a loading of 2.0 g/L exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation efficiency against 20 mg/L concentration of 2,4-DCP at neutral pH, reaching 80.3 % degradation rate in 120 min. This high performance was mainly attributed to the enhanced charge-carrier separation mechanism at the heterojunction interface, which effectively enhanced the utilization and transfer rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst. In addition, the study also deeply explored the conversion pathway of elemental chlorine in the photocatalytic system, elucidated the mechanism of 2,4-DCP degradation and dechlorination, and provided a theoretical basis for further improving the environmental adaptability and dechlorination efficiency of the catalyst. Overall, the CuInS2/BiOI/Bi2MoO6 ternary heterojunction photocatalysts proposed in this study demonstrate a broad application prospect in the purification of 2,4-DCP and other organic pollutants, and open up a new way to solve the problems of industrial wastewater treatment, which is of great environmental significance and scientific value.

A novel ZnO-TiO2-Bi2WO6/Carboxymethyl chitosan composite with high antimicrobial activity and visible-light catalytic degradation of ethylene towards banana preservation in hot and humid environments

In order to solve the problem of significantly shortened storage time of bananas in hot and humid environment (e.g., 30 °C and 90 % relative humidity), this paper reports the preparation of ZnO-TiO2-Bi2WO6 (ZTB) ternary heterojunction antimicrobial photocatalysts composite carboxymethyl chitosan film (ZTB/CMCS). ZTB were prepared by hydrothermal method and composited with CMCS by surface deposition method to construct ZTB/CMCS edible nano-preservation film. It is noteworthy that the ZTB/CMCS composite film exhibited excellent antibacterial efficiency (>99.99 %) against E. coli and S. aureus suspensions (106 CFU/mL) after 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy showed that the incorporation of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into the ZTB structure led to a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. Moreover, the interfacial interaction between ZnO and TiO2/Bi2WO6 inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, promoting carrier separation and improving photocatalytic activity. The combination of high antibacterial activity, photocatalytic degradation of ethylene and inhibition of gas exchange provided multiple protections for fruit preservation. Therefore, this work provides a novel, effective and safe method for prolonging the preservation of bananas in hot and humid environments.

Interfacial coupling of sandwich like Zn3V2O8/ZnO/NiCo2S4 nano-heterojunction for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of rifampicin

The overuse of antibiotics and the release of these pharmaceuticals into the water system has emerged as a serious issue posing a life-threatening environment to aquatic species. In contrast to various contaminants, antibiotics are specifically engineered for durability and efficacy in the system of the human body (human health). Although this design ensures their performance, it also results in their extended longevity and resilience against degradation in natural contexts. These challenges can be addressed by an advanced oxidation process (AOP) utilizing ternary heterojunction nano catalysts (NCs). In this study, the NCs were synthesized through a combination of calcinated-assisted reverse microemulsion and hydrothermal methods. The synthesized NCs were characterized by using various analytical techniques. The enhanced charge separation and migration in Zn3V2O8/ZnO/NiCo2S4 (ZZN) NCs results in 97.3 % degradation of rifampicin (RIF) within 80 min. ZZN NCs exhibit superior catalytic performance under visible light irradiation compared to its pristine Zn3V2O8, ZnO, NiCo2S4, and binary ZnO/NiCo2S4. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be primarily attributed to the synergetic effects among Zn3V2O8, ZnO, and NiCo2S4 facilitated by the cascade-driven charge transfer mechanism. The prominent reactive oxygen species that participated in photocatalytic degradation activity were found to be superoxide (O2•-) and hydroxide radicals (•OH) which were confirmed through ESR and quenching experiments. From the practical application perspective, ZZN NCs ternary heterostructure demonstrated excellent stability and durability after being recycled six times. This study serve as a vital reference for future investigation into the photocatalytic mechanism related to heterostructure NCs, highlighting their potential for eco-friendly methods to eliminate pollutants and paves a way for manufacturing innovation in near future.

One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of g-C3N4/BiOBr/Bi2MoO6 as a Z-scheme heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic and Rhodamine B (RhB) dye

Photocatalytic degradation of toxic organic pollutants using natural sunlight is a rapidly advancing area of research, particularly involving binary or ternary component photocatalysts with Z-type heterojunctions. In this study, ternary g-C3N4/BiOBr/Bi2MoO6 photocatalysts were fabricated using a simple one-pot solvothermal method. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the samples were characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), confirming the presence of BiOBr, Bi2MoO6, and g-C3N4 components. The inclusion of g-C3N4 increased the BET surface area of the composite up to 46 m2/g, compared with BiOBr. In addition, g-C3N4 also enhanced the light absorption capability of the composite into the visible light range, while BiOBr and Bi2MoO6 significantly improved separation of electron-hole pairs, as evidenced by photoluminescence (PL) intensity. Under visible light illumination (LED lamp), the prepared photocatalyst showed high efficiency, achieving 94 % degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic in 180 min and 92 % degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in 240 min. Moreover, under natural sunlight irradiation, the photocatalyst achieved degradation efficiencies of approximately 91 % for CIP and 100 % for RhB within 180 minutes. The photodegradation of the pollutants followed first-order kinetics with a Z-scheme type heterojunction. The photogenerated electrons played a crucial role as the main active species involved in detoxification of the organic contaminants. The photocatalyst exhibited excellent structural stability and good cycling ability, maintaining its original photocatalytic performance even after five cycles of use. This work demonstrates a promising strategy for developing sunlight-active ternary heterojunctions for environmental remediation.

Facile ultrasound-assisted synthesis of g-C3N4@Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3 heterojunction with high photocatalytic performance for resistant-biodegradable dye

In this study, g-C3N4/Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3 photocatalyst structured as a heterojunction was fabricated by an ultrasound-assisted methodology. It evaluated the activity in photocatalytic processes of g-C3N4/Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3 composite material through simulated visible light-induced Rhodamine B photodegradation, demonstrating photodegradation efficiencies 5.6 and 13.84 times exceeding that of pure g-C3N4 and Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3 in turn. Due to the formation of a ternary heterojunction, the g-C3N4/Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3 composite material has a stronger visible light absorption capability compared to pure g-C3N4 and Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3. The photocurrent density is also significantly increased (0.156 μA/cm2). The catalyst's efficiency remained a high degradation ratio (over 95 %) after five cycles, showing the composite's sustainable stability. In summary, based on its excellent performance, the ternary composite photocatalyst g-C3N4/Bi20TiO32/Bi2O2CO3 exhibits great potential for photodegradation of non-biodegradable dye.

Synergistic photocatalytic and antibacterial efficacies of Ag/rGO and Ag/Ag2O/rGO nanocomposites: The impact of oxide formation and ternary heterojunction

This study explores the efficient solvothermal integration of Ag/rGO and Ag/Ag2O/rGO nanocomposites using various solvents and employs thorough characterization procedures. The primary focus is on understanding the nuanced effects resulting from the combination of Ag nanoparticles with rGO nanosheets, particularly in the context of Ag2O formation. For a quantitative assessment of their photocatalytic and antibacterial properties, graphene oxide and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were introduced to create Ag/rGO and Ag/Ag2O/rGO nanocomposites. The results demonstrate a significant enhancement in photocatalytic performance for the Ag/Ag2O/rGO nanocomposite, achieving a rapid degradation of 99.99 % of methylene blue dye within 30 minutes under simulated solar light irradiation. This heightened efficiency is attributed to improved separation and transfer efficiency, as well as the substantial generation of photoinduced carriers due to the incorporation of visibly active Ag2O nanoparticles. Moreover, the Ag/Ag2O/rGO nanocomposite exhibits an enhanced antibacterial activity, reflected in Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of 50 μg/ml for Bacillus cereus and 300 μg/ml for Escherichia coli. The nanocomposite's higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Bacillus cereus, is underscored, revealing its potential as an effective antibacterial agent. The formation of a ternary heterojunction in the Ag/Ag2O/rGO nanocomposite results in a notable increase in the production of free radicals, enhancing charge carrier migration and separation efficiency. This quantitative evidence emphasizes the versatile nature of the nanocomposite, highlighting its potential across diverse fields through augmented antibacterial and photocatalytic properties.

Fabrication of V2O3-TiO2-rGO ternary heterojunction composite to enhance the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2

The application prospects of MgH2 as a potential solid hydrogen storage material are limited by its stable thermodynamic properties and slow hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics. In this study, a ternary heterogeneous composite material V2O3-TiO2-rGO (V-T-rGO) was synthesized using the ultrasonic hydrothermal method and doped into MgH2 through ball milling to improve its hydrogen storage performance. The experimental results demonstrated that the MgH2 + V-T-rGO samples exhibit superior hydrogen storage properties compared with single-doped V2O3, TiO2, rGO or V-T materials. Specifically, it can uptake hydrogen at room temperature, and adsorbs 5.00 wt% H2 in just 4 min at 150 °C, and releases 5.87 wt% H2 within 6 min at 325 °C, demonstrating a faster reaction rate and successful hydrogen absorption. Additionally, the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation activation energies of MgH2 + V-T-rGO samples are measured at 27.1/72.3 kJ·mol−1, representing a reduction of 51.2/59.2 kJ·mol−1 compared to MgH2 alone. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the multiphase composite system produced synergistic catalytic effects, providing abundant active sites and hydrogen diffusion channels to enhance the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2. This study presents an innovative approach for constructing transition metal oxide heterostructured materials and holds significant reference value for applications in the field of hydrogen storage.

Synergetic photocatalytic degradation of the tetracycline antibiotic over S-scheme based BiOBr/CuInS2/WO3 ternary heterojunction photocatalyst

The present research investigated the photodegradation capability of a ternary BiOBr/CuInS2/WO3 heterojunction against the tetracycline (TC) antibiotic. BiOBr/CuInS2/WO3 heterojunction is formed using a straightforward physical mixing method, whereas pure photocatalysts (CuInS2, WO3) were synthesized hydrothermally and BiOBr by a coprecipitation process. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Spectroscopy examination validated the nanorod and nanosheet shape of the fabricated BiOBr-CuInS2-WO3. The photodegradation capabilities of the BiOBr-CuInS2-WO3 heterojunction were superior to those of other pure photocatalysts, and it followed the S-scheme charge transfer route as indicated by the band alignments. After 120 min of light irradiation, the BiOBr/CuInS2/WO3 S-scheme ternary heterojunction obtained a photodegradation rate of 98.9 %, much greater than other pure photocatalysts. According to electron spin resonance investigations and scavenging experiments, the radicals hydroxyl radicals (•OH), hole (h+), superoxide (•O2−) play a significant role in the photodegradation of TC. The ternary heterojunction's improved light absorption, lower recombination rate, and higher photocarrier separation rate were due to the fabrication of S-scheme heterojunction. The ternary BiOBr/CuInS2/WO3 photocatalyst's photodegradation efficacy was consequently enhanced. Investigations for photocatalyst reusability demonstrated its exceptional stability, with a 93.8 % degradation rate after five catalytic cycles.

Low‐cost 0D and 2D carbon material co‐decorated titanium dioxide ternary heterojunction for rapid and efficient bacteria killing under visible light

AbstractRecently, the issue of bacterial resistance has gotten worse because of the overuse of antibiotics. The newborn superbacteria, such as vancomycin‐resistant bacteria, were hard to kill, inspiring researchers to find new ways to kill the bacteria efficiently. TiO2 was used as an efficient photocatalyst for water splitting and pollutant degradation. However, the weak efficiency limited the application to solve the drug‐resistance problem. Consequently, the incorporation of low‐cost 0D carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and 2D graphene oxide (GO) was pursued to amplify the visible light absorption capabilities of TiO2 and thereby elevate its photocatalytic activity. After forming the heterogeneous interface of CQDs and TiO2, CQDs converted part of visible light into wavelength less than 400 nm using the up‐conversion property. The modification of CQDs enabled electrons to be easily transferred from the conduction band of CQDs to the conduction band of TiO2. Meanwhile, GO can act as an electron acceptor, reduce the recombination efficiency of holes and electrons, and transfer the photogenerated electrons in the redox reaction in the heterogeneous interface. Because of the excellent absorption of GO, TiO2/CQDs/GO reached 57.8°C after 20 min irradiation under 1.5 times sunlight, which provided a prerequisite for photodynamic antibacterial therapy/photothermal antibacterial therapy synergistic antibacterial potential. TiO2/CQDs/GO possessed an antibacterial efficiency as high as 99.3% toward Staphylococcus aureus which has a bright future in disinfection in vivo and medical devices as well as water sterilization.

Enhanced visible light-assisted photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 decorated with ZIF-8 and AgI ternary heterojunctions

Fabrication of a suitable photocatalyst system that responds to visible light has become a requirement for photocatalytic environmental remediation processes. For better transfer/separation of photogenerated-charges, successful interfacial engineering to build photocatalytic heterojunctions is essential for improving the photodegradation performance. Herein, ternary composites of zeolitic-imidazolate-framework-8 (ZIF-8) coupled with AgI nanoparticles assembled on g-C3N4 have been fabricated, characterized using XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, PL, UV–visible DRS, and N2-adsorption–desorption, and used as visible-light-driven photocatalysts for photocatalytic destruction of methylene blue (MB). The ternary AgI/ZIF-8/g-C3N4 photocatalyst achieved superb photodestruction activity (94.2 %) within 120 min. Besides, the first-order degradation rate constant reached 0.02431 min−1, which was nearly 1.5, 2.5, 4.5, and 5.5 times greater than that reached by ZIF-8/g-C3N4 (0.01628 min−1), g-C3N4 (0.00941 min−1), AgI (0.00542 min−1) and ZIF-8 (0.00441 min−1), respectively. The improved photocatalytic behavior was accredited to the synergistic influence of the photo-charge carrier transfer/separation pathway and the electron mediation assisted by ZIF-8. The trapping tests supported the recommended photocatalytic mechanism, which suggested that the O2− radicals were the main reacting agents in this process. The parameters affecting the photodegradation, including the AgI/ZIF-8/g-C3N4 dose, the solution pH, and the MB concentration were systematically tested in this work. Furthermore, the AgI/ZIF-8/g-C3N4 demonstrated good degradation stability after multi-consecutive rounds (only 1 % deduction in its activity after 5 rounds), and thus, it is projected to be a promising photocatalyst in wastewater treatment.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting, and photocatalytic and piezo-photocatalytic pollutant removal performance over CdS/g-C3N4/ZnO ternary heterojunctions

Fromation of CdS/g-C3N4/ZnO (CdCN/Z) ternary composites for the water splitting application is reported here. Produced materials were studied for physicochemical, optical, photo-electrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic pollutant degradation properties. The current density of CdCN/Z exhibited as 7.4 mA/cm2 which is 26.4, 21.7, 14.25, and 5.92 folds higher than g-C3N4 (CNU), ZnO (Z), CdS, and CNU/Z, respectively. Additionally, the CdCN/Z composite achieved a higher photon-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 0.8 %. The finale composite exhibited a effectual degradation of RhB (99 % in 45 min) in water under light and ultrasonication exposure. The coupling of CNU/Z with CdS promoted the optical absorbance in the longer wavelength. This configuration had facilitated the enhanced photogenerated charge carriers separation. The contemporary work validates that the prepared CdCN/Z heterojunction is an auspicious photocatalyst for effectual water splitting as well as photocatalytic elimination of dye pollutants.

Construction of Ternary Ce Metal-Organic Framework/Bi/BiOCl Heterojunction towards Optimized Photocatalytic Performance.

Photocatalysis is the most promising green approach to solve antibiotic pollution in water, but the actual treatment effect is limited by photocatalytic activity. Herein, Bi and BiOCl were loaded onto the surface of Ce-MOF (metal-organic framework) using an electrostatic adsorption method, and a special ternary heterojunction of Ce/Bi/BiOCl was successfully prepared as a photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline (TC). FTIR demonstrated that the obtained photocatalyst contains functional groups such as -COOH belonging to Ce-MOF and characteristic crystal planes of Bi and BiOCl, indicating the successful construction of a ternary photocatalyst. The results of UV-vis absorption spectra confirm that the band gap of Ce/Bi/BiOCl heterojunction is reduced from 3.35 eV to 2.7 eV, resulting in an enhanced light absorption capability in the visible light region. The special ternary heterojunction constructed by Ce-MOF, Bi, and BiOCl could achieve a narrow band gap and reasonable band structure, thereby enhancing the separation of photogenerated charges. Consequently, the photocatalytic performance of the Ce/Bi/BiOCl ternary heterojunction was significantly enhanced compared to Ce-MOF, Bi, and BiOCl. Therefore, Ce/Bi/BiOCl can achieve a photocatalytic degradation rate of 97.7% within 20 min, which is much better than Bi (14.8%) and BiOCl (67.9%). This work successfully constructed MOF-based ternary photocatalysts and revealed the relationship between ternary heterojunctions and photocatalytic activity. This provides inspiration for constructing other heterogeneous catalysts for use in the field of photocatalysis.

Ternary Bi2WO6/TiO2-Pt Heterojunction Sonosensitizers for Boosting Sonodynamic Therapy.

Engineering Z-scheme heterojunctions represents a promising strategy for optimizing the separation and migration of charge carriers in semiconductor sonosensitizers for enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Nevertheless, establishing a continuous and directional pathway for ultrasonic-induced charge flow in Z-scheme heterojunctions remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a ternary Bi2WO6/TiO2-Pt heterojunction sonosensitizer achieved through the precise growth of Pt nanocrystals on a directionally assembled Bi2WO6/TiO2 Z-scheme structure. The construction of the Bi2WO6/TiO2-Pt heterojunction involves directional growth of Bi2WO6 in situ on the highly exposed (001) crystal facet of TiO2 nanosheets, followed by the precise deposition of nano Pt on the edge (101) crystal facet. The Z-scheme Bi2WO6/TiO2 in the ternary heterojunction ensures effective electron separation, while the Schottky TiO2-Pt interface establishes a well-defined charge flow path and robust redox capabilities. Moreover, nano Pt confers the Bi2WO6/TiO2-Pt heterojunction with excellent peroxidase-mimic and catalase-mimic activities, facilitating interactions with endogenous H2O2 to produce the hydroxyl radicals and O2. It effectively alleviates tumor hypoxia and enhances ROS production. This results in significantly higher efficiency in sonodynamically induced ROS generation compared to pure TiO2 or binary Bi2WO6/TiO2 heterojunctions, as confirmed by DFT theoretical calculation and experiments with both in vitro and in vivo anticancer performance. This study offers valuable insights for designing high-performance Z-scheme sonosensitizer systems.