Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2022) | Viewed by 8447

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
Interests: photoelectrochemistry; photocatalysis material and device; environmental catalysis; CO2 reduction

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Guest Editor
School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
Interests: photocatalysis in environment and energy application; natural mineral and biomass composite; nanotechnology and nanocatalysis; green and sustainable chemistry
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Solar energy is the most valuable alternative energy because it is naturally ample, clean, and sustainable. The arduous challenge facing chemists is achieving effective utilization of solar energy. Solar photocatalysis applied in energy generation and environmental purification has received great research interest owning to its mild conditions and safe and simple operation process. With the assistance of photocatalysts, solar energy is utilized to split H2O to H2, reduce CO2 to solar fuels, fix N2 to NH3, treat wastewater and VOCs, etc. It is crucial to develop efficient photocatalysts for adopting this technology in industrial production. Over the past few decades, various photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized such as TiO2, Bi2O3, g-C3N4, BiOX (Cl, Br, I), BiVO4/RGO g-C3N4/MOF, and MOF@COF.

In recent years, a great amount of attention has been paid to composite photocatalysts due to their photocatalytic performance. Based on the above considerations, submissions to this Special Issue “Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalyst” are welcomed, in the form of original research papers, reviews, or communications that highlight the research state of composite photocatalysts as: a) metal-based photocatalysts; b) heterojunction photocatalysts; c) Z-scheme photocatalysts; d) MOF-based photocatalysts; e) COF-based photocatalysts; f) carbon-based photocatalysts; and g) other novel composite photocatalysts.

New research regarding the correlation between the physicochemical properties of composite photocatalysts and photocatalytic performance in environmental and energy applications will be taken into consideration.

Dr. Shaomang Wang
Prof. Dr. Xiazhang Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Photocatalysis
  • VOC degradation
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Air purification
  • Photosynthesis
  • Photoelectrode
  • CO2 reduction
  • H2 generation
  • Photocatalytic devices

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4918 KiB  
Article
Synergetic Adsorption–Photocatalytic Activated Fenton System via Iron-Doped g-C3N4/GO Hybrid for Complex Wastewater
by Huihui Mao, Lu Wang, Qing Zhang, Feike Chen, Yizhou Song, Haoguan Gui, Aijun Cui and Chao Yao
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 88; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal13010088 - 01 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1548
Abstract
A synergetic adsorption–photocatalytic-activated Fenton system using an iron-doped g-C3N4/GO (GO/Fe-GCN) hybrid with highly efficient performance was established. The highly dispersed iron species with a Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio (1.67) and mesopores (3.7 nm) with a relative higher specific [...] Read more.
A synergetic adsorption–photocatalytic-activated Fenton system using an iron-doped g-C3N4/GO (GO/Fe-GCN) hybrid with highly efficient performance was established. The highly dispersed iron species with a Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio (1.67) and mesopores (3.7 nm) with a relative higher specific area and pore volume benefited the reaction efficiency and the contact of organic pollutants with the active sites. In the dynamic adsorption–photo-coordinated Fenton system, the maximum removal rate of GO/Fe-GCN reached 96.5% and equilibrium was 83.6% for Rhodamine B. The GO component not only enhanced the adsorption but also provided a higher efficiency of photo-generated carrier separation and transport. The hybrid structure of GO/Fe-GCN and the high efficiency of circulation of Fe(III)/Fe(II) played an essential role in the synergy of the adsorption–enrichment and the photo-coordinated Fenton reaction. GO/Fe-GCN can also be used to treat complex waste-water containing metallic ions, metal complexes, and organic pollutants, which could allow potential applications in the treatment of water pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts)
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12 pages, 3020 KiB  
Article
Photothermal Catalytic Reduction of CO2 by Cobalt Silicate Heterojunction Constructed from Clay Minerals
by Shan Qin, Chengrong Ge, Xiangming Kong, Meng Fu, Ziheng Zhuang and Xiazhang Li
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 32; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal13010032 - 24 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1445
Abstract
The coupled utilization of solar and thermal energy is considered an efficient way to improve the efficiency of CO2 reduction. Herein, palygorskite (Pal) clay is as a silicon source, while Co2+ is introduced to prepare two-dimensional Co2SiO4 nanosheets, [...] Read more.
The coupled utilization of solar and thermal energy is considered an efficient way to improve the efficiency of CO2 reduction. Herein, palygorskite (Pal) clay is as a silicon source, while Co2+ is introduced to prepare two-dimensional Co2SiO4 nanosheets, and the excess of Co2+ leads to the growth of Co3O4 on the surface of Co2SiO4 to obtain an S-scheme Co2SiO4/Co3O4−x heterojunction, which facilitates the charge transfer and maintains higher redox potentials. Benefiting from black color and a narrow band gap, the cobalt oxide on the surface can increase the light absorption and produce a local photothermal effect. Under proper thermal activation conditions, the photoelectrons captured by the abundant oxygen vacancies can obtain a secondary leap to the semiconductor conduction band (CB), suppressing the recombination of electron-hole pairs, thus favoring the electron transfer on Co2SiO4/Co3O4−x. The composites not only have abundant oxygen vacancies, but also have a large specific surface area for the adsorption and activation of CO2. The yields of CH3OH on Co2SiO4/Co3O4−5% reach as high as 48.9 μmol·g−1·h−1 under simulated sunlight irradiation. In situ DRIFTS is used to explore the photocatalytic reduction CO2 mechanism. It is found that the thermal effect facilitates the generation of the key intermediate COOH* species. This work provides a new strategy for photothermal catalytic CO2 reduction by taking advantage of natural clay and solar energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts)
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12 pages, 5017 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of a Plasmonic Heterojunction for Degradation of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride and Removal of Cr(VI) from Water
by Jihui Cao, Meihua Zhang, Xinran Yang, Xiaojun Zeng, Yubo Yang, Yuanyi Li, Hehua Zeng and Wei Zhao
Catalysts 2022, 12(12), 1498; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12121498 - 23 Nov 2022
Viewed by 890
Abstract
A novel Ag/Ag2CO3/BiVO4 plasmonic photocatalyst was successfully prepared by depositing Ag nanoparticles on the surface of Ag2CO3/BiVO4 through the photoreduction reaction. Due to the existence of this novel heterojunction photocatalyst structure, not only [...] Read more.
A novel Ag/Ag2CO3/BiVO4 plasmonic photocatalyst was successfully prepared by depositing Ag nanoparticles on the surface of Ag2CO3/BiVO4 through the photoreduction reaction. Due to the existence of this novel heterojunction photocatalyst structure, not only can it prevent the photogenerated charge recombination, but the unique properties of Ag also have a great advantage in the absorption of light. The Ag/Ag2CO3/BiVO4 photocatalyst showed good catalytic performance in the degradation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTH) and removal of Cr6+, and the degradation rate of OTH reached 98.0% after 150 min of illumination. The successful preparation of Ag/Ag2CO3/BiVO4 was confirmed by a series of characterization methods, and the importance of •OH and h+ radicals in the degradation of OTH was demonstrated. In addition, the photocatalytic mechanism of Ag/Ag2CO3/BiVO4 photocatalyst was systematically studied in terms of degradation of OTH and reduction of Cr6+. This study is of great importance for the development of novel plasmonic heterojunction photocatalysts and to meet future environmental requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts)
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11 pages, 5420 KiB  
Article
CdS Nanoparticles Decorated 1D CeO2 Nanorods for Enhanced Photocatalytic Desulfurization Performance
by Xiaowang Lu, Zhengwei Liu, Xiangping Zhao, Weiye Xu, Haijun Hou and Junchao Qian
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1478; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12111478 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1270
Abstract
CdS nanoparticles were constructed onto one-dimensional (1D) CeO2 nanorods by a two-step hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission election microscopy (TEM), Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) techniques were used to characterize these CdS/CeO2 [...] Read more.
CdS nanoparticles were constructed onto one-dimensional (1D) CeO2 nanorods by a two-step hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission election microscopy (TEM), Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) techniques were used to characterize these CdS/CeO2 nanocomposites. It was concluded that when the molar ratio of CdS and CeO2 was 1:1, the nanocomposites exhibited the best photocatalytic desulfurization activity, reaching 92% in 3 h. Meanwhile, transient photocurrent (PT) measurement, photoluminescence (PL) spectra and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement indicated that the modification of CeO2 nanorods by CdS nanoparticles could significantly inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. In addition, the possible mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation desulfurization of the nanocomposites was proposed. This study may provide an effective CeO2-based photocatalyst for photocatalytic desulfurization applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts)
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14 pages, 4905 KiB  
Article
Construction and Synthesis of MoS2/Biocarbon Composites for Efficient Visible Light-Driven Catalytic Degradation of Humic Acid
by Chencheng Wang, Ning Wang, Huicheng Ni, Congcong Yao, Junchao Qian, Jianqiang Wei, Jianping Chen and Zhiren Wu
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1423; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12111423 - 12 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1091
Abstract
MoS2/bio-template carbon composite materials with outstanding photocatalytic degradation performance were constructed and synthesized by an impregnation–hydrothermal–calcination (IHC) method. Composites of the same type were synthesized by a direct-impregnation–calcination (DIC) method for comparison. The results showed that calcination process was obtained from [...] Read more.
MoS2/bio-template carbon composite materials with outstanding photocatalytic degradation performance were constructed and synthesized by an impregnation–hydrothermal–calcination (IHC) method. Composites of the same type were synthesized by a direct-impregnation–calcination (DIC) method for comparison. The results showed that calcination process was obtained from biotemplate carbon with preserved structure. IHC method obtained petal-like MoS2, while DIC method obtained needle-like MoS2. The composite material exhibits adsorption–catalytic degradation performance. Driven by visible light, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the composites synthesized by IHC method for humic acid reached 98.73% after 150 min of illumination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts)
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11 pages, 3275 KiB  
Article
Construction of the Photocatalytic Film of the Recyclable TaON/Nickel Foam with Ohmic Junction for Efficient Wastewater Treatment
by Shaomang Wang, Jie Wang, Rui Liu, Zhiqian Zheng, Yuan Guan and Juan Shen
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1160; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12101160 - 02 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1359
Abstract
A recyclable photocatalytic film of TaON/Ni foam with ohmic junction is prepared by the electrophoretic deposition technology. The photocatalytic film of 60 mg TaON/Ni foam demonstrates excellent photocatalytic activity and recycling performance for the degradation of basic fuchsin from water. Around 80% of [...] Read more.
A recyclable photocatalytic film of TaON/Ni foam with ohmic junction is prepared by the electrophoretic deposition technology. The photocatalytic film of 60 mg TaON/Ni foam demonstrates excellent photocatalytic activity and recycling performance for the degradation of basic fuchsin from water. Around 80% of basic fuchsin (50 mL, 10 mg L−1) is removed over 60 mg TaON/Ni foam under irradiation of 72 W LED white light for 5 h. The photocatalytic activity of the film does not significantly decrease after three rounds of use. The active species for the photocatalytic degradation of basic fuchsin are ·O2, h+ and ·OH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Composite Photocatalysts)
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