Advances in Photocatalytic Processes for Sustainable Energy Conversion and Environmental Engineering

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 11893

Special Issue Editors

Laboratory of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
Interests: nanomaterials; photocatalysts; environmental remediation; hydrogen production; CO2 reduction; solar energy
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
Interests: advanced core–shell photocatalysts; light-to-fuel conversions; air pollution remediation; organic dyes degradation
School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India
Interests: photocatalysis; water treatment; hydrogen production; nanostructured materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental pollution and energy shortage have become critical issues that require urgent action from humans worldwide. One of the most noticeable and applicable technique to deal with these problems is the use of photocatalytic processes, where the photocatalysts can be used to remove pollutants from the environment and to produce various energy sources, such as hydrogen, hydrocarbon, syngas, etc. The performance of photocatalytic processes depends on various factors including the types of semiconductors, material bandgaps, material nanostructures, reactor designs, etc. This Special Issue aims to publish the most recent findings in engineering and developments for the improvement of photocatalysis processes, targeting energy conversion and environmental remediation.

This Special Issue will focus on, but is not limited to, photocatalysis processes for:

  • Air pollution remediation;
  • Waste water remediation;
  • Hydrogen production;
  • CO2 reduction into fuels.

Dr. Quyet Van Le
Dr. Dung Van Dao
Dr. Pankaj Raizada
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • photocatalytic process
  • kinetics and mechanisms
  • nanostructured photocatalysts
  • S-scheme
  • Z-scheme
  • air treatment
  • wastewater treatment
  • water splitting
  • CO2 reduction
  • solar energy
  • green applications

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5395 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Evaluation of the Ternary Composite CdSO4-ZnAl LDH/ZnS in Hydrogen Production without a Sacrificial Reagent
by Angela G. Romero-Villegas, Clara Tzompantzi-Flores, Raúl Pérez Hernández, Arturo Barrera-Rodríguez, Francisco Tzompantzi and Ricardo Gómez
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 593; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal13030593 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1343
Abstract
In this work, a layered double hydroxide support modified with cadmium was synthesized by a one-pot coprecipitation method. Then, it was sulfured in different percentages by a solvothermal method. Next, the samples were analyzed using various characterization techniques like XRD, DRS, FTIR, N [...] Read more.
In this work, a layered double hydroxide support modified with cadmium was synthesized by a one-pot coprecipitation method. Then, it was sulfured in different percentages by a solvothermal method. Next, the samples were analyzed using various characterization techniques like XRD, DRS, FTIR, N2 physisorption, PL spectroscopy, TEM, and SEM. Finally, the synthesized and uncalcined materials were assessed in hydrogen production from water and a methanol-water solution under UV-light irradiation. The results showed that the sulphuration improves the photocatalytic activity, reaching a maximum rate constant of hydrogen production of 7403 µmol/g∙h in a methanol-water solution and 1326 µmol/g∙h in water. Full article
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14 pages, 31412 KiB  
Communication
Carbon-Protected BiVO4—Cu2O Thin Film Tandem Cell for Solar Water Splitting Applications
by Sitaaraman Srinivasa Rao Raghavan, Nirmala Grace Andrews and Raja Sellappan
Catalysts 2023, 13(1), 144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal13010144 - 07 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1654
Abstract
Carbon-protected BiVO4 photoanode and Cu2O photocathode tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) system has been explored to reduce surface recombination and enhance the stability of the photoelectrodes. In addition to the carbon layer, the electrodeposited FeOOH nanolayer and drop-casted MoS2 co-catalyst layer [...] Read more.
Carbon-protected BiVO4 photoanode and Cu2O photocathode tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) system has been explored to reduce surface recombination and enhance the stability of the photoelectrodes. In addition to the carbon layer, the electrodeposited FeOOH nanolayer and drop-casted MoS2 co-catalyst layer on the photoanode and photocathode, respectively improve the reaction kinetics. The optimized photoanode (Mo-BiVO4/C/FeOOH) and photocathode (Cu2O/C/MoS2) produces current densities of ~1.22 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE and ~−1.48 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs. RHE, respectively. The obtained photocurrent is higher than bare photoelectrodes without a carbon layer. Finally, a tandem cell has been constructed, and an unassisted current density of ~0.107 mA cm−2 is obtained for a carbon-protected BiVO4–Cu2O tandem PEC cell at zero bias. The improved stability and enhanced photocurrent of the carbon protective layer are attributed to its better charge transfer resistance and minimized surface defects. Carbon protective layer can be a viable option to improve the stability of photoelectrodes in aqueous media. Full article
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17 pages, 4711 KiB  
Article
Chromium (III) Ions Were Extracted from Wastewater Effluent Using a Synergistic Green Membrane with a BinaryCombination of D2EHPA and Kerosene
by Sadaf Sarfraz, Akmal Javed Abid, Mohsin Javed, Shahid Iqbal, Samar O. Aljazzar, Manzar Zahra, Hamad Alrbyawi, Eslam B. Elkaeed, H. H. Somaily, Rami Adel Pashameah, Eman Alzahrani and Abd-ElAziem Farouk
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1220; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12101220 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1476
Abstract
This study used a supported liquid membrane system (SLM) using Celgard 2400 polypropylene as the support, di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as the carrier, and kerosene as the diluent. To obtain the best carrier concentration, D2EHPA concentrations between 0.04 and 0.6 M were used. [...] Read more.
This study used a supported liquid membrane system (SLM) using Celgard 2400 polypropylene as the support, di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as the carrier, and kerosene as the diluent. To obtain the best carrier concentration, D2EHPA concentrations between 0.04 and 0.6 M were used. The Cr (III) solutions used in the feed phase had various ionic strengths and were adjusted with NaCl at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1.75 M. To maintain a constant pH (4) in the feed phase, a 0.2 M acetic acid–sodium acetate buffer was utilized. Because the rate of Cr (III)-carrier complex formation at the interface of the feed solution and membrane increased up to 20 × 10−4 mol/L, it was discovered that transport of Cr (III) rose with an increase in chromium content in the feeding phase. For the optimization of the various stripping agents, HCl concentration was employed, from 0.25 M to 1.75 M. It was observed that Cr (III) transport increased with the increase in HCl concentration because the transport was at a pH gradient, which was the main driving force. Because of the fact that at the feed phase-membrane contact, D2EHPA combined with chromium ions to form the Cr (III)-carrier complex and released H+ protons, in the feed phase, the Cr (III)-carrier complex was diffused into a stripping phase, wherein Cr (III) ions were stripped and the carrier was reversibly protonated again. Full article
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10 pages, 3731 KiB  
Article
Improved the Light Adsorption and Separation of Charge Carriers to Boost Photocatalytic Conversion of CO2 by Using Silver Doped ZnO Photocatalyst
by Pham Thi Thu Hoai, Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, Pham Thi Huong and Nguyen Minh Viet
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1194; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12101194 - 08 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1224
Abstract
This work developed a strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO by doping it with silver nanoparticles (Ag) to improve the light adsorption and separation of charge carriers, which further increases the conversion of CO2. The loading of Ag over [...] Read more.
This work developed a strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO by doping it with silver nanoparticles (Ag) to improve the light adsorption and separation of charge carriers, which further increases the conversion of CO2. The loading of Ag over ZnO (Ag-ZnO) was confirmed by characterization methods (SEM, XRD, and XPS), and the photocatalytic activities of Ag-ZnO were significantly enhanced. As the result, the production rates of CO and CH4 by doped Ag-ZnO were 9.8 and 2.4 µmol g−1 h−1, respectively. The ZnO that had the production rate of CO was 3.2 µmol g−1 h−1 and it is relatively low for the production of CH4 at around 0.56 µmol g−1 h−1. The doping of Ag over ZnO displayed a high conversion rate for both CO and CH4, which were 3 and 4.2 times higher than that of ZnO. The doped Ag-ZnO photocatalyst also had high stability up to 10 cycles with less than 11% loss in the production of CO and CH4. The improvement of photocatalytic activities of Ag-ZnO was due to the Ag doping, which enhanced the light adsorption (400–500 nm) and narrowed band gap energy (2.5 eV), preventing the charge carrier separation. This work brings an efficient photocatalyst for CO2 conversion in order to reduce carbon dioxide concentration as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Full article
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14 pages, 2525 KiB  
Article
Construction of a Well-Defined S-Scheme Heterojunction Based on Bi-ZnFe2O4/S-g-C3N4 Nanocomposite Photocatalyst to Support Photocatalytic Pollutant Degradation Driven by Sunlight
by Ming Lu, Mohsin Javed, Kainat Javed, Shaozao Tan, Shahid Iqbal, Guocong Liu, Waleed Bin Khalid, Muhammad Azam Qamar, Hamad Alrbyawi, Rami Adel Pashameah, Eman Alzahrani and Abd-ElAziem Farouk
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1175; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12101175 - 05 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
Currently, organic dyes and other environmental contaminants are focal areas of research, with considerable interest in the production of stable, high-efficiency, and eco-friendly photocatalysts to eliminate these contaminants. In the present work, bismuth-doped zinc ferrite (Bi-ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs) and [...] Read more.
Currently, organic dyes and other environmental contaminants are focal areas of research, with considerable interest in the production of stable, high-efficiency, and eco-friendly photocatalysts to eliminate these contaminants. In the present work, bismuth-doped zinc ferrite (Bi-ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs) and bismuth-doped zinc ferrites supported on sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Bi-ZnFe2O4/S-g-C3N4) (BZFG) photocatalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal process. SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques were used to examine the morphological, structural, and bonding characteristics of the synthesized photocatalysts. The photocatalytic competence of the functional BZFG nanocomposites (NCs) was studied against MB under sunlight. The influence of Bi (0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 wt.%) doping on the photocatalytic performance of ZnFe2O4 was verified, and the 9%Bi-ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibited the maximum MB degradation. Then, 9%Bi-ZnFe2O4 NPs were homogenized with varying amounts of S-g-C3N4 (10, 30, 50, 60, and 70 wt.%) to further enhance the photocatalytic performance of BZFG NCs. The fabricated Bi-ZnFe2O4/30%S-g-C3N4 (BZFG-30) composite outperformed ZnFe2O4, S-g-C3N4 and other BZFG NCs in terms of photocatalytic performance. The enriched photocatalytic performance of the BZFG NCs might be ascribed to a more efficient transfer and separation of photo-induced charges due to synergic effects at the Bi-ZnFe2O4/S-g-C3N4 interconnection. The proposed modification of ZnFe2O4 using Bi and S-g-C3N4 is effective, inexpensive, and environmentally safe. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 5174 KiB  
Review
ZrO2-Based Photocatalysts for Wastewater Treatment: From Novel Modification Strategies to Mechanistic Insights
by Vandna Rani, Amit Sharma, Abhinandan Kumar, Pardeep Singh, Sourbh Thakur, Archana Singh, Quyet Van Le, Van Huy Nguyen and Pankaj Raizada
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1418; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12111418 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) has garnered substantial research interest in the field of photocatalytic water treatment due to its appealing properties, such as thermal stability, considerable physical strength, and strong chemical resistance. However, the wide bandgap energy endorses less photoabsorption and rapid [...] Read more.
Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) has garnered substantial research interest in the field of photocatalytic water treatment due to its appealing properties, such as thermal stability, considerable physical strength, and strong chemical resistance. However, the wide bandgap energy endorses less photoabsorption and rapid charge carrier recombination kinetics, thus restricting the photoactivity of ZrO2. Previously, vast research efforts have been made to improve the photoefficacy of ZrO2, and hence it is worth exploring the potential strategic modifications responsible for incremented photocatalytic efficiency. In this regard, the present review article emphasizes the optical, structural, and electronic features of ZrO2, which makes it an interesting photocatalytic material. The exceptional modification strategies that help to modulate the crystal structure, morphology, bandgap energy, and charge carrier kinetics are primarily discussed. The potential synthetic routes involving bottom-up and top-down methods are also outlined for understanding the rationale for incorporating these techniques. Moreover, the photocatalytic performance evaluation was done by investigating the photodegradation kinetics of various organic and inorganic pollutants degradation by ZrO2. Conclusively, in light of research advances involving ZrO2 photocatalyst, this review article may expedite further investigation for enhancing the large-scale photocatalytic applications for environmental and energy concerns. Full article
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17 pages, 3431 KiB  
Review
Single-Atom Transition Metal Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reactions
by Thang Phan Nguyen and Il Tae Kim
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1304; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal12111304 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1995
Abstract
Hydrogen is one of the potential fuels that is easily stored in ammonia compounds and reacts with oxygen in an environmentally friendly manner, producing water and transferring a significant amount of heat for powering mechanical facilities or transportation. Recently, single-atom photocatalysts have attracted [...] Read more.
Hydrogen is one of the potential fuels that is easily stored in ammonia compounds and reacts with oxygen in an environmentally friendly manner, producing water and transferring a significant amount of heat for powering mechanical facilities or transportation. Recently, single-atom photocatalysts have attracted significant attention owing to their ability to produce clean fuels or reduce gaseous pollution, thereby contributing to the preservation of our planet. Utilizing metals composed of a single atom on a semiconductor platform can improve the active sites, thereby increasing the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction. This review focuses on the use of single-atom transition metals as photocatalysts in a solar-powered water-splitting system that produces hydrogen gas. The approach to synthesis, reaction mechanism, and current performance of these materials is exhaustively discussed. In addition, the main challenges and improvement strategies are highlighted. Full article
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