TiO2/CuPc/NiFe-LDH photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Preparation of LDO@TiO2 core-shell nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollution

TiO₂-based nanosheet materials with a core-shell structure are expected to be one of the promising photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollution. It is a challenge to synthesize TiO₂ by the desired nucleation and growth process, so most reported TiO₂ core-shell photocatalysts are prepared using TiO₂ as a core material. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are considered ideal platforms to grow TiO₂in situ and further serve as additional components to improve the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. In this work, we report the design and fabrication of anatase TiO₂-coated ZnAl-layered double oxide (LDO@TiO₂) nanosheets, which involve the in situ growth of TiO₂ on ZnAl-LDH followed by subsequent calcination treatment. The resulting LDO@TiO₂ photocatalyst yields typical core-shell nanosheet morphology with a mesoporous structure, exhibiting excellent photodegradation and mineralization efficiency for organic pollution.

Recent Progress in LDH@Graphene and Analogous Heterostructures for Highly Active and Stable Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a plethora of green technological process, which transforms copiously available photon energy into valuable chemical energy. With the augmentation of modern civilization, developmental process of novel semiconductor photocatalysts proceeded at a sweltering rate, but the overall energy conversion efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts in PC/PEC is moderately poor owing to the instability ariseing from the photocorrosion and messy charge configuration. Particularly, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as reassuring multifunctional photocatalysts, turned out to be intensively investigated owing to the lamellar structure and exceptional physico-chemical properties. However, major drawbacks of LDHs material are its low conductivity, sluggish mass transfer and structural instability in acidic media, which hinder their applicability and stability. To surmount these obstacles, the formation of LDH@graphene and analogus heterostructures could proficiently amalgamate multi-functionalities, compensate distinct shortcomings, and endow novel properties, which ensure effective charge separation to result in stability and superior catalytic activities. Herein, we aim to summarize the currently updated synthetic strategies used to design heterostructures of 2D LDHs with 2D/3D graphene and graphene analogus material as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃ N₄ ), and MoS₂ as mediator, or interlayer support, or co-catalyst or vice versa for superior PC/PEC water splitting activities along with long-term stabilities. Furthermore, latest characterization technique measuring the stability along with variant interface mode for imparting charge separation in LDH@graphene and graphene analogus heterostructure has been identified in this field of research with understanding the intrinsic structural features and activities.