Modification of photocatalytic property of BaTiO3 perovskite structure by Fe2O3 nanoparticles for CO2 reduction in gas phase

The synergetic effect of lanthanide (La and Ce) and N co-doping of ZnO NPs for high-rate photocatalytic phenol degradation

Simultaneously, lanthanide and N-modified ZnO NPs were synthesized and applied for the photocatalytic phenol degradation under LED irradiation. Among La and Ce, Ce-doped ZnO exhibited more efficiently photocatalytic activity. XRD analysis confirmed that most of Ce³⁺ was oxidized to Ce₂O₃/CeO₂ over the photocatalyst surface as a secondary phase. This is due to the larger ionic radius of Ce³⁺ relative to that of Zn²⁺. Ce and N co-doping of ZnO led to narrowing the band gap and suppressing charge recombination rate. The effect of key variables, dopant type, dopant concentration, catalyst loading, initial dye concentration, light source power, solution pH, and H₂O₂ content on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol was systematically investigated. The utmost conversion of phenol, 100%, was observed by ZnO-Ce5-N0.33 sample under optimum conditions. Kinetics investigation revealed that under the optimum conditions, photodegradation of phenol follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics model with rate constant of 0.0631 min^-1. Given the fact that the ZnO-Ce5-N0.33 is a heterostructure composed of Zn_1-xCe_xO_1-yN_y and Ce₂O₃ and CeO₂, a double Z-scheme pattern is suggested as a plausible charge transfer mechanism.

Direct Conversion of CO2 into Hydrocarbon Solar Fuels by a Synergistic Photothermal Catalysis

Photothermal coupling catalysis technology has been widely studied in recent years and may be a promising method for CO2 reduction. Photothermal coupling catalysis can improve chemical reaction rates and realize the controllability of reaction pathways and products, even in a relatively moderate reaction condition. It has inestimable value in the current energy and global environmental crisis. This review describes the application of photothermal catalysis in CO2 reduction from different aspects. Firstly, the definition and advantages of photothermal catalysis are briefly described. Then, different photothermal catalytic reductions of CO2 products and catalysts are introduced. Finally, several strategies to improve the activity of photothermal catalytic reduction of CO2 are described and we present our views on the future development and challenges of photothermal coupling. Ultimately, the purpose of this review is to bring more researchers’ attention to this promising technology and promote this technology in solar fuels and chemicals production, to realize the value of the technology and provide a better path for its development.

Ferroelectrics in photocatalysis

The rapid development of industrialization and population brings water and air pollution and energy crisis. Solar driven catalysis is expected to relieve above issues. However, low efficiency of solar conversion limited by poor light harvesting and serious charge recombination of semiconductors and high surface reaction barriers is far from the satisfactory of industrial request. Ferroelectrics have been considered as promising photocatalysts to overcome these shortcomings. Herein, perovskite ferroelectrics such as BaTiO 3 , PbTiO 3 and LiNbO 3 , layered bismuth-based ferroelectrics like BiFeO 3 , Bi 2 WO 6 , Bi 2 MoO 6 , etc. and other ferroelectrics have been introduced, and their crystal structure, polarity source and synthetic method have been highlighted. Then, the research progress of ferroelectrics for photocatalysis has been summarized, including pollution degradation, water splitting and CO 2 reduction. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of ferroelectric photocatalysts have been provided. The purpose of this review is not only to provide a timely summary for the application of ferroelectrics in photocatalysis, but also to present a deep insight and guideline for the future research works of ferroelectrics .