Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2022) | Viewed by 10850

Special Issue Editor

College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
Interests: catalysis; porous materials; energy conversion; environmental protection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The design and development of hybrid nanostructured photocatalysts have recently been receiving substantial attention, due to their high potential in enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductor nanomaterials. These hybrid nanostructured materials include combination with polymers (e.g., polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene), carbon nanomaterials (e.g., graphene, GO, CNT, carbon quantum dots, carbon nitride) and other novel 2-dimentional nanosheet materials, (e.g., MXene, black phosphorus (BP)). AuNPs have attracted much attention due to the exceptional visible light absorption and high electron storage capacity, which act as a sink for photo-induced charge carriers. The integration of plasmonic AuNPs is an effective strategy to promote solar light harvesting, as well as efficient photocatalysis. It can also be looked at as one of the typical hybrid nanostructured materials.

Significant advances have been made when nanomaterials are combined with molecular structures, namely improvement of light harvesting, prolonging charge separation state lifetime, and increase in catalytic activity and selectivity. This Special Issue welcomes contributions devoted to the design, characterization, and application of the abovementioned (but not limited) novel nanostructured photocatalysts. Manuscripts on the structural aspects of nanophotocatalysts, nanostructure formation process, parameters affecting photocatalytic activity, photocatalytic mechanisms, and photocatalytic applications for the efficient degradation of pollutants in water/air are welcome. Furthermore, current research trends and future prospects of high-performance hybrid photocatalytic materials, are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jianqiang Yu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • photocatalysis
  • nanomaterials
  • solar energy
  • hybridization
  • semiconductor
  • environmental remediation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4316 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Photo-Assisted Fenton Degradation of Antibiotics over Iron-Doped Bi-Rich Bismuth Oxybromide Photocatalyst
by Fengjiao Zhang, Yanhua Peng, Xiaolong Yang, Zhuo Li and Yan Zhang
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 188; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13010188 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1613
Abstract
Herein, combining photocatalysis and Fenton oxidation, a photo-assisted Fenton system was conducted using Fe-doped Bi4O5Br2 as a highly efficient photocatalyst to realize the complete degradation of Tetracycline antibiotics under visible light. It has been observed that the optimized [...] Read more.
Herein, combining photocatalysis and Fenton oxidation, a photo-assisted Fenton system was conducted using Fe-doped Bi4O5Br2 as a highly efficient photocatalyst to realize the complete degradation of Tetracycline antibiotics under visible light. It has been observed that the optimized photocatalyst 5%Fe-doped Bi4O5Br2 exhibits a degradation efficiency of 100% for Tetracycline with H2O2 after 3 h visible-light irradiation, while a degradation percentage of 59.8% over the same photocatalyst and 46.6% over pure Bi4O5Br2 were obtained without the addition of H2O2 (non-Fenton process). It is unambiguous that a boost photo-assisted Fenton system for the degradation of Tetracycline has been established. Based on structural analysis, it demonstrated that the Fe atoms in place of the Bi sites may result in the distortion of the local structure, which induced the occurrence of the spontaneous polarization and thus enhanced the built-in electric field. The charge separation efficiency is enhanced, and the recombination of electrons and holes is inhabited so that more charges are generated to reach the surface of the photocatalyst and therefore improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. Moreover, more Fe (II) sites formed on the 5%Fe-Bi4O5Br2 photocatalyst and facilitated the activation of H2O2 to form oxidative species, which greatly enhanced the degradation efficiency of Tetracycline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis)
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12 pages, 2392 KiB  
Article
Self-Sustained Three-Dimensional Macroporous TiO2-Graphene Photocatalyst for Sunlight Decolorization of Methyl Orange
by Elena Madalina Mihai, Iuliana Mihalache, Anca-Ionela Istrate, Cristina Antonela Banciu, Cosmin Romanitan, Oana Brincoveanu, Eugenia Tanasa, Alexandra Banu and Lucia Monica Veca
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(24), 4393; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12244393 - 09 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1173
Abstract
The development of highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalysts has triggered increased attention due to their merit in effluent treatment through a chemically green approach. To this end, we present herein the synthesis and characterization of the TiO2/3D-GF/Ni hybrid emphasizing the main structural [...] Read more.
The development of highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalysts has triggered increased attention due to their merit in effluent treatment through a chemically green approach. To this end, we present herein the synthesis and characterization of the TiO2/3D-GF/Ni hybrid emphasizing the main structural and morphological properties and the photodegradation process of a highly resistant aromatic azo dye, methyl orange, under both UV light and simulated sunlight. Three-dimensional (3D) graphene was grown by the thermal CVD method on the nickel foam and subsequently coated with thin films of anatase employing the sol–gel method. Thereafter, it was gratifyingly demonstrated that the hybrid nanomaterial, TiO2/3D-GF-Ni, was able to bring about more than 90% decolorization of methyl orange dye after 30 min under simulated sunlight irradiance. Moreover, the efficiency of the methyl orange decolorization was 99.5% after three successive cycles. This high-performance photocatalyst which can effectively decolorize methyl orange will most likely make a great contribution to reducing environmental pollution by employing renewable solar energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis)
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13 pages, 4075 KiB  
Article
Novel MOF-Based Photocatalyst AgBr/AgCl@ZIF-8 with Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation and Antibacterial Properties
by Ning Liu, Jie Zhang, Yanhua Wang, Qingjun Zhu, Xuan Zhang, Jizhou Duan and Baorong Hou
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(11), 1946; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12111946 - 06 Jun 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2469
Abstract
A novel visible light-driven AgBr/AgCl@ZIF-8 catalyst was synthesized by a simple and rapid method. The composition and structure of the photocatalyst were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-DRS, and XPS. It could be observed that the 2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8) exhibited the rhombic dodecahedron [...] Read more.
A novel visible light-driven AgBr/AgCl@ZIF-8 catalyst was synthesized by a simple and rapid method. The composition and structure of the photocatalyst were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-DRS, and XPS. It could be observed that the 2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8) exhibited the rhombic dodecahedron morphology with the AgCl and AgBr particles evenly distributed around it. The composite photocatalyst AgBr/AgCl@ZIF-8 showed good photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial properties. The degradation rate of RhB solution was 98%, with 60 min of irradiation of visible light, and almost all P. aeruginosaudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were inactivated under the irradiation of 90 min. In addition, the prepared catalyst had excellent stability and reusability. Based on the free radical capture experiment, ·O2 and h+ were believed to be the main active substances, and possible photocatalytic degradation and sterilization mechanisms of AgBr/AgCl@ZIF-8 were proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis)
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18 pages, 6483 KiB  
Article
Room Temperature Engineering Crystal Facet of Cu2O for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange
by Jiwen Li, Meizi He, Jiankun Yan, Jiahui Liu, Jiaxin Zhang and Jingjun Ma
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(10), 1697; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12101697 - 16 May 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) has received enormous interest for photocatalysis owing to its narrow band gap of 2.17 eV, which is beneficial for visible-light absorption. In this work, we succeeded in synthesizing Cu2O nanocrystals with two morphologies, cube and sphere, [...] Read more.
Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) has received enormous interest for photocatalysis owing to its narrow band gap of 2.17 eV, which is beneficial for visible-light absorption. In this work, we succeeded in synthesizing Cu2O nanocrystals with two morphologies, cube and sphere, at room temperature via a simple wet-chemistry strategy. The morphologies of Cu2O change from cube to sphere when adding PVP from 0 g to 4 g and the mainly exposed crystal faces of cubic and spherical Cu2O are (100) and (111), respectively. The photocatalytic properties of the as-prepared Cu2O were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO). Cubic Cu2O(100) showed excellent photocatalytic activity. After the optical and photoelectric properties were investigated, we found that cubic Cu2O(100) has better photoelectric separation efficiency than spherical Cu2O(111). Finally, the possible mechanism was proposed for cubic Cu2O(100) degrading MO under visible light. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis)
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12 pages, 2228 KiB  
Article
N-Rich Doped Anatase TiO2 with Smart Defect Engineering as Efficient Photocatalysts for Acetaldehyde Degradation
by Mingzhuo Wei, Zhijun Li, Peijiao Chen, Lei Sun, Shilin Kang, Tianwei Dou, Yang Qu and Liqiang Jing
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1564; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12091564 - 05 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1545
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) doping is an effective strategy for improving the solar-driven photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2, but controllable methods for nitrogen-rich doping and associated defect engineering are highly desired. In this work, N-rich doped anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (4.2 at%) were [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) doping is an effective strategy for improving the solar-driven photocatalytic performance of anatase TiO2, but controllable methods for nitrogen-rich doping and associated defect engineering are highly desired. In this work, N-rich doped anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (4.2 at%) were successfully prepared via high-temperature nitridation based on thermally stable H3PO4-modified TiO2. Subsequently, the associated deep-energy-level defects such as oxygen vacancies and Ti3+ were successfully healed by smart photo-Fenton oxidation treatment. Under visible-light irradiation, the healed N-doped TiO2 exhibited a ~2-times higher activity of gas-phase acetaldehyde degradation than the non-treated one and even better than standard P25 TiO2 under UV-visible-light irradiation. The exceptional performance is attributed to the extended spectral response range from N-rich doping, the enhanced charge separation from hole capturing by N-doped species, and the healed defect levels with the proper thermodynamic ability for facilitating O2 reduction, depending on the results of ∙O2 radicals and defect measurement by electron spin resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atmosphere-controlled surface photovoltage spectra, etc. This work provides an easy and efficient strategy for the preparation of high-performance solar-driven TiO2 photocatalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis)
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18 pages, 6023 KiB  
Article
Preparation, Characterization and Application of Epitaxial Grown BiOBr (110) Film on ZnFe2O4 Surface with Enhanced Photocatalytic Fenton Oxidation Properties
by Zheng Zhang, Yan Zhang, Zhuo Li, Xueyuan Yang, Xiaolong Yang, Yanhua Peng and Jianqiang Yu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1508; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12091508 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1307
Abstract
A novel BiOBr photocatalyst was epitaxially grown in situ onto the surface of ZnFe2O4, a ferroelectric material with a strong polarization effect. The formatted BiOBr/ZnFe2O4 composite (BOB/ZFO) showed excellent photocatalytic degradation performance of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs). [...] Read more.
A novel BiOBr photocatalyst was epitaxially grown in situ onto the surface of ZnFe2O4, a ferroelectric material with a strong polarization effect. The formatted BiOBr/ZnFe2O4 composite (BOB/ZFO) showed excellent photocatalytic degradation performance of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs). One of the composites with ZnFe2O4 content of 10% (BOB/ZFO-10) showed the best properties; the degradation efficiency of TCs upon visible light irradiation for 180 min was 99.2%, which was 3.58 times higher than that of pure phase BiOBr. The functions of ZnFe2O4 are assumed to be such that the addition of this ferroeletric material not only regulated the spontaneous polarization of BiOBr in the process of synthesis, but also resulted in the construction of Z-scheme heterostructures due to the appropriate staggered band structure of BiOBr and ZnFe2O4. In the presence of ferroelectric material ZnFe2O4, the local structure of BiOBr may be distorted accordingly, resulting in preferential growth of a (110) crystal facet of BiOBr and enhancement of spontaneous polarization, which promotes the efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs of ZnFe2O4 and BiOBr, and therefore enhances the redox capacity of the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Nanomaterials Applied to Photocatalysis)
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