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Abed B, Battula VR, Volokh M, Garg D, Shmila T, Mark G, Tashakory A, Shames AI, Shalom M. Selective Toluene Oxidation Using Sulfur-Doped Polymeric Carbon Nitride Photocatalysts. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2025; 21:e2501230. [PMID: 40150953 PMCID: PMC12087819 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202501230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2025] [Revised: 03/12/2025] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
Selective traditional oxidation of toluene to high-value products like benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and benzoic acid faces significant challenges due to high dissociation energy requirements, harsh reaction conditions, and complex product distributions. While photocatalysis using O2 as an oxidant offers a green alternative, developing efficient and durable photocatalysts for selective oxidation in both batch and flow systems remains challenging. Here, sulfur-doped polymeric carbon nitride (S-CN) is demonstrated as a versatile photocatalyst for selective toluene oxidation, applicable in both powder form and as binder-free panels across various reactor configurations and solvents. Tuning S monomer content within supramolecular assemblies that serve as S-CN precursors, allows enhanced light absorption, optimized band positions, high specific surface area, and tailored structural properties of the ensuing catalysts. The optimized photocatalyst achieves high product selectivity, yielding ∼72% benzaldehyde and ∼26% benzoic acid after 24 h. Mechanistic studies confirm the concurrent oxidation and reduction reactions occurring and the roles of O2 · - and 1O2. Extended reaction time (48 h) enables selective benzoic acid production (73.4%) with minimal benzaldehyde formation (<1%), demonstrating excellent product control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayan Abed
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Venugopala Rao Battula
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Devesh Garg
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Tirza Shmila
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Gabriel Mark
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Ayelet Tashakory
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Alexander I. Shames
- Department of PhysicsBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and TechnologyBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer‐Sheva8410501Israel
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Bi L, Zhan J, Zhang W, Wu Z, Xu W, Liang X, Zhang L, Yan B, Xu C. An efficient strategy to boost photoelectrochemical water oxidation of g-C 3N 4 films modified with NiO as cocatalyst. Sci Rep 2025; 15:4632. [PMID: 39920221 PMCID: PMC11806081 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89031-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2025] [Indexed: 02/09/2025] Open
Abstract
The successful synthesis of carbon nitride films plays a crucial role in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation reactions. However, a significant technical challenge is that the contact between the g-C3N4 layer and the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate is suboptimal, as well as the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes is grievous, directly affecting the effective charge transport and the overall photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, we fabricated a g-C3N4 thin photoanode through simple chemical vapor deposition, NiO cocatalyst was modified on the surface of g-C3N4 thin photoanode via electro-deposition and followed by calcination, aiming at improving the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers. As expected, the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes is effectively suppressed the g-C3N4 thin photoanode after introducing NiO cocatalyst. Moreover, the superior electrical conductivity of NiO reduces charge transport resistance and allows photogenerated holes to be rapid injected into the electrolyte to participate in the water oxidation reaction. As such, the NiO-60s (the deposition time of NiO is 60 s) photoanode exhibits a higher photocurrent density and much negative onset potential than g-C3N4. which is of great benefit to designing effective g-C3N4 based photoanode for PEC water oxidation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Bi
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Jiahao Zhan
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Zhenzhou Wu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Weichuan Xu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Xiaobo Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Faculty of Mechanical and Material Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China.
| | - Lijing Zhang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China.
| | - Bin Yan
- Jiangsu Suyan Jingshen Co., Ltd Huaian, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - Chunyi Xu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Palygorskite Science and Applied Technology of Jiangsu Province Institution, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Mineral Salt Deep Utilization, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
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Mondal S, Salati M, Nicaso M, Albero J, Segado-Centellas M, Volokh M, Bo C, García H, Gil-Sepulcre M, Llobet A, Shalom M. Supramolecular interaction of a molecular catalyst with a polymeric carbon nitride photoanode enhances photoelectrochemical activity and stability at neutral pH. Chem Sci 2024:d4sc04678a. [PMID: 39323522 PMCID: PMC11418009 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc04678a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) emerged as an alternative, metal-free photoanode material for water-splitting photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). However, the performance of CN photoanodes is limited due to the slow charge separation and water oxidation kinetics due to poor interaction with water oxidation catalysts (WOCs). Moreover, operation under benign, neutral pH conditions is rarely reported. Here, we design a porous CN photoanode connected to a highly active molecular Ru-based WOC, which also acts as an additional photo-absorber. We show that the strong interaction between the π-system of the heptazine units within the CN with the CH groups of the WOC's equatorial ligand enables a strong connection between them and an efficient electronic communication path. The optimized photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 180 ± 10 μA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with 89% faradaic efficiency for oxygen evolution with turnover numbers (TONs) in the range of 3300 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.4 s-1, low onset potential, extended incident photon to current conversion, and good stability up to 5 h. This study may lead to the integration of molecular catalysts and polymeric organic absorbers using supramolecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjit Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Martina Salati
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Av. Països Catalans 16 Tarragona 43007 Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili Av. Països Catalans 35 Tarragona 43007 Spain
| | - Marco Nicaso
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Av. Països Catalans 16 Tarragona 43007 Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili Av. Països Catalans 35 Tarragona 43007 Spain
| | - Josep Albero
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química CSIC-UPV, Universitat Politècnica de València València 46022 Spain
| | - Mireia Segado-Centellas
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Av. Països Catalans 16 Tarragona 43007 Spain
| | - Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Carles Bo
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Av. Països Catalans 16 Tarragona 43007 Spain
| | - Hermenegildo García
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química CSIC-UPV, Universitat Politècnica de València València 46022 Spain
| | - Marcos Gil-Sepulcre
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Av. Països Catalans 16 Tarragona 43007 Spain
| | - Antoni Llobet
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Av. Països Catalans 16 Tarragona 43007 Spain
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Cerdanyola del Valles Barcelona 08193 Spain
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
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Zhi F, Wu S, Lai C, He M, Deng W, Zhang D, Peng X, Wu Q, Xia J, Lu ZH, Wang M, Zhang WG, Xu J, Liu C, Peng G. Unravelling the Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting of Nanometer-Thick Carbon Nitride Layer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2401123. [PMID: 38659372 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Matching the thickness of the graphitic carbon nitride (CN) nanolayer with the charge diffusion length is expected to compensate for the poor intrinsic conductivity and charge recombination in CN for photoelectrochemical cells (PEC). Herein, the compact CN nanolayer with tunable thickness is in situ coated on carbon fibers. The compact packing along with good contact with the substrate improves the electron transport and alleviates the charge recombination. The PEC investigation shows CN nanolayer of 93 nm-thick yields an optimum photocurrent of 116 µA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus RHE, comparable to most micrometer-thick CN layers, with a low onset potential of 0.2 V in 1 m KOH under 1 sun illumination. This optimum performance suggests the electron diffusion length matches with the thickness of the CN nanolayer. Further deposition of NiFe-layered double hydroxide enhanced the surface water oxidation kinetics, delivering an improved photocurrent of 210 µA cm-2 with IPCE of 12.8% at 400 nm. The CN nanolayer also shows extended potential in PEC organic synthesis. This work experimentally reveals the PEC behavior of the nanometer-thick CN layer, providing new insights into CN in the application of energy and environment-related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengmei Zhi
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Suqin Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
- GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chen Lai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Mao He
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Wenjie Deng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Dexu Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Xiaoying Peng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Qizheng Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Jiawei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Zhang-Hui Lu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Mingzhan Wang
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Wei-Guang Zhang
- GDMPA Key Laboratory for Process Control and Quality Evaluation of Chiral Pharmaceuticals, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jingsan Xu
- School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Chong Liu
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Guiming Peng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Carbonhydrate Synthesis, Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
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5
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Mondal S, Naor T, Volokh M, Stone D, Albero J, Levi A, Vakahi A, García H, Banin U, Shalom M. NC Meets CN: Porous Photoanodes with Polymeric Carbon Nitride/ZnSe Nanocrystal Heterojunctions for Photoelectrochemical Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:38153-38162. [PMID: 39010305 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The utilization of photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) for converting solar energy into fuels (e.g., hydrogen) is a promising method for sustainable energy generation. We demonstrate a strategy to enhance the performance of PEC devices by integrating surface-functionalized zinc selenide (ZnSe) semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) into porous polymeric carbon nitride (CN) matrices to form a uniformly distributed blend of NCs within the CN layer via electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The achieved type II heterojunction at the CN/NC interface exhibits intimate contact between the NCs and the CN backbone since it does not contain insulating binders. This configuration promotes efficient charge separation and suppresses carrier recombination. The reported CN/NC composite structure serves as a photoanode, demonstrating a photocurrent density of 160 ± 8 μA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), 75% higher compared with a CN-based photoelectrode, for approximately 12 h. Spectral and photoelectrochemical analyses reveal extended photoresponse, reduced charge recombination, and successful charge transfer at the formed heterojunction; these properties result in enhanced PEC oxygen production activity with a Faradaic efficiency of 87%. The methodology allows the integration of high-quality colloidal NCs within porous CN-based photoelectrodes and provides numerous knobs for tuning the functionality of the composite systems, thus showing promise for achieving enhanced solar fuel production using PEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjit Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Tom Naor
- The Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - David Stone
- The Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Josep Albero
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química CSIC-UPV, Universitat Politècnica de València, València 46022, Spain
| | - Adar Levi
- The Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Atzmon Vakahi
- The Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Hermenegildo García
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química CSIC-UPV, Universitat Politècnica de València, València 46022, Spain
| | - Uri Banin
- The Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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Wei S, Xia X, Bi S, Hu S, Wu X, Hsu HY, Zou X, Huang K, Zhang DW, Sun Q, Bard AJ, Yu ET, Ji L. Metal-insulator-semiconductor photoelectrodes for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:6860-6916. [PMID: 38833171 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00820g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting provides a scalable and integrated platform to harness renewable solar energy for green hydrogen production. The practical implementation of PEC systems hinges on addressing three critical challenges: enhancing energy conversion efficiency, ensuring long-term stability, and achieving economic viability. Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) heterojunction photoelectrodes have gained significant attention over the last decade for their ability to efficiently segregate photogenerated carriers and mitigate corrosion-induced semiconductor degradation. This review discusses the structural composition and interfacial intricacies of MIS photoelectrodes tailored for PEC water splitting. The application of MIS heterostructures across various semiconductor light-absorbing layers, including traditional photovoltaic-grade semiconductors, metal oxides, and emerging materials, is presented first. Subsequently, this review elucidates the reaction mechanisms and respective merits of vacuum and non-vacuum deposition techniques in the fabrication of the insulator layers. In the context of the metal layers, this review extends beyond the conventional scope, not only by introducing metal-based cocatalysts, but also by exploring the latest advancements in molecular and single-atom catalysts integrated within MIS photoelectrodes. Furthermore, a systematic summary of carrier transfer mechanisms and interface design principles of MIS photoelectrodes is presented, which are pivotal for optimizing energy band alignment and enhancing solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency within the PEC system. Finally, this review explores innovative derivative configurations of MIS photoelectrodes, including back-illuminated MIS photoelectrodes, inverted MIS photoelectrodes, tandem MIS photoelectrodes, and monolithically integrated wireless MIS photoelectrodes. These novel architectures address the limitations of traditional MIS structures by effectively coupling different functional modules, minimizing optical and ohmic losses, and mitigating recombination losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shice Wei
- School of Microelectronics & Jiashan Fudan Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Xuewen Xia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Shuai Bi
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Shen Hu
- School of Microelectronics & Jiashan Fudan Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Xuefeng Wu
- School of Microelectronics & Jiashan Fudan Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Hsien-Yi Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xingli Zou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - David W Zhang
- School of Microelectronics & Jiashan Fudan Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Qinqqing Sun
- School of Microelectronics & Jiashan Fudan Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Allen J Bard
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78713, USA
| | - Edward T Yu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78758, USA.
| | - Li Ji
- School of Microelectronics & Jiashan Fudan Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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Sendeku MG, Shifa TA, Dajan FT, Ibrahim KB, Wu B, Yang Y, Moretti E, Vomiero A, Wang F. Frontiers in Photoelectrochemical Catalysis: A Focus on Valuable Product Synthesis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308101. [PMID: 38341618 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysis provides the most promising avenue for producing value-added chemicals and consumables from renewable precursors. Over the last decades, PEC catalysis, including reduction of renewable feedstock, oxidation of organics, and activation and functionalization of C─C and C─H bonds, are extensively investigated, opening new opportunities for employing the technology in upgrading readily available resources. However, several challenges still remain unsolved, hindering the commercialization of the process. This review offers an overview of PEC catalysis targeted at the synthesis of high-value chemicals from sustainable precursors. First, the fundamentals of evaluating PEC reactions in the context of value-added product synthesis at both anode and cathode are recalled. Then, the common photoelectrode fabrication methods that have been employed to produce thin-film photoelectrodes are highlighted. Next, the advancements are systematically reviewed and discussed in the PEC conversion of various feedstocks to produce highly valued chemicals. Finally, the challenges and prospects in the field are presented. This review aims at facilitating further development of PEC technology for upgrading several renewable precursors to value-added products and other pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marshet Getaye Sendeku
- Ocean Hydrogen Energy R&D Center, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Tofik Ahmed Shifa
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Fekadu Tsegaye Dajan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Kassa Belay Ibrahim
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Binglan Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, P. R. China
| | - Ying Yang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, P. R. China
| | - Elisa Moretti
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Alberto Vomiero
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Materials Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 97187, Sweden
| | - Fengmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
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Zhou J, Cheng H, Cheng J, Wang L, Xu H. The Emergence of High-Performance Conjugated Polymer/Inorganic Semiconductor Hybrid Photoelectrodes for Solar-Driven Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2300418. [PMID: 37421184 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) energy conversion holds great potential in converting solar energy into storable and transportable chemicals or fuels, providing a viable route toward a carbon-neutral society. Conjugated polymers are rapidly emerging as a new class of materials for PEC water splitting. They exhibit many intriguing properties including tunable electronic structures through molecular engineering, excellent light harvesting capability with high absorption coefficients, and facile fabrication of large-area thin films via solution processing. Recent advances have indicated that integrating rationally designed conjugated polymers with inorganic semiconductors is a promising strategy for fabricating efficient and stable hybrid photoelectrodes for high-efficiency PEC water splitting. This review introduces the history of developing conjugated polymers for PEC water splitting. Notable examples of utilizing conjugated polymers to broaden the light absorption range, improve stability, and enhance the charge separation efficiency of hybrid photoelectrodes are highlighted. Furthermore, key challenges and future research opportunities for further improvements are also presented. This review provides an up-to-date overview of fabricating stable and high-efficiency PEC devices by integrating conjugated polymers with state-of-the-art semiconductors and would have significant implications for the broad solar-to-chemical energy conversion research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Hangxun Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
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Zhang J, Zhu Y, Njel C, Liu Y, Dallabernardina P, Stevens MM, Seeberger PH, Savateev O, Loeffler FF. Metal-free photoanodes for C-H functionalization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7104. [PMID: 37925550 PMCID: PMC10625597 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42851-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Organic semiconductors, such as carbon nitride, when employed as powders, show attractive photocatalytic properties, but their photoelectrochemical performance suffers from low charge transport capability, charge carrier recombination, and self-oxidation. High film-substrate affinity and well-designed heterojunction structures may address these issues, achieved through advanced film generation techniques. Here, we introduce a spin coating pretreatment of a conductive substrate with a multipurpose polymer and a supramolecular precursor, followed by chemical vapor deposition for the synthesis of dual-layer carbon nitride photoelectrodes. These photoelectrodes are composed of a porous microtubular top layer and an interlayer between the porous film and the conductive substrate. The polymer improves the polymerization degree of carbon nitride and introduces C-C bonds to increase its electrical conductivity. These carbon nitride photoelectrodes exhibit state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical performance and achieve high yield in C-H functionalization. This carbon nitride photoelectrode synthesis strategy may be readily adapted to other reported processes to optimize their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Zhang
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yuntao Zhu
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christian Njel
- Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) and Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMFi), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pietro Dallabernardina
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Molly M Stevens
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 22, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oleksandr Savateev
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Felix F Loeffler
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
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10
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Li YL, Tian J, Shi DJ, Dong JX, Yue Z, Li G, Huang WP, Zhang SM, Zhu BL. CdSe/TiO 2NTs Heterojunction-Based Nonenzymatic Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Glucose Detection. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:14935-14944. [PMID: 37842927 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Compared with a single semiconductor, the heterojunction formed by two different semiconductors usually has higher light utilization and better photoelectric performance. By using stable TiO2 nanotubes as the main subject, CdSe/TiO2NTs heterojunctions were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. XRD, TEM, SEM, PL, UV-vis, and EIS were used to characterize the fabricated CdSe/TiO2NTs. Under visible light irradiation, CdSe/TiO2NTs heterojunctions exhibited a higher absorption intensity and lower degree of photogenerated carrier recombination than TiO2. The electrons and holes were proven to be effectively separated in this heterojunction via theoretical calculation. Under CdSe/TiO2NTs' optimal conditions, the glucose concentrations (10-90 μM) had a linear relationship with the photocurrent value, and the detection limit was 3.1 μM. Moreover, the CdSe/TiO2NTs sensor exhibited good selectivity and stability. Based on the experimental data and theoretical calculations, its PEC sensing mechanism was also illuminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Liu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coking Coal Exploitation and Comprehensive Utilization, Pingdingshan 467000, China
- College of Chemistry, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metal and Molecule-Based Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing Tian
- College of Chemistry, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metal and Molecule-Based Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Dong-Jie Shi
- National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Jian-Xun Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Coking Coal Exploitation and Comprehensive Utilization, Pingdingshan 467000, China
- Henan Nylon New Material Industry Research Institute, Pingdingshan 467000, China
| | - Zhao Yue
- Department of Microelectronics, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Geng Li
- National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Wei-Ping Huang
- College of Chemistry, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metal and Molecule-Based Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shou-Min Zhang
- College of Chemistry, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metal and Molecule-Based Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Bao-Lin Zhu
- College of Chemistry, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metal and Molecule-Based Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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11
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Azoulay A, Aloni SS, Xing L, Tashakory A, Mastai Y, Shalom M. Polymeric Carbon Nitride with Chirality Inherited from Supramolecular Assemblies. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311389. [PMID: 37581951 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The facile synthesis of chiral materials is of paramount importance for various applications. Supramolecular preorganization of monomers for thermal polymerization has been proven as an effective tool to synthesize carbon and carbon nitride-based (CN) materials with ordered morphology and controlled properties. However, the transfer of an intrinsic chemical property, such as chirality from supramolecular assemblies to the final material after thermal condensation, was not shown. Here, we report the large-scale synthesis of chiral CN materials capable of enantioselective recognition. To achieve this, we designed supramolecular assemblies with a chiral center that remains intact at elevated temperatures. The optimized chiral CN demonstrates an enantiomeric preference of ca. 14 %; CN electrodes were also prepared and show stereoselective interactions with enantiomeric probes in electrochemical measurements. By adding chirality to the properties transferrable from monomers to the final product of a thermal polymerization, this study confirms the potential of using supramolecular precursors to produce carbon and CN materials and electrodes with designed chemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Azoulay
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Sapir Shekef Aloni
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Lidan Xing
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ayelet Tashakory
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Yitzhak Mastai
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
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12
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Shmila T, Mondal S, Barzilai S, Karjule N, Volokh M, Shalom M. Boron and Sodium Doping of Polymeric Carbon Nitride Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303602. [PMID: 37344993 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric carbon nitride is a promising photoanode material for water-splitting and organic transformation-based photochemical cells. Despite achieving significant progress in performance, these materials still exhibit low photoactivity compared to inorganic photoanodic materials because of a moderate visible light response, poor charge separation, and slow oxidation kinetics. Here, the synthesis of a sodium- and boron-doped carbon nitride layer with excellent activity as a photoanode in a water-splitting photoelectrochemical cell is reported. The new synthesis consists of the direct growth of carbon nitride (CN) monomers from a hot precursor solution, enabling control over the monomer-to-dopant ratio, thus determining the final CN properties. The introduction of Na and B as dopants results in a dense CN layer with a packed morphology, better charge separation thanks to the in situ formation of an electron density gradient, and an extended visible light response up to 550 nm. The optimized photoanode exhibits state-of-the-art performance: photocurrent densities with and without a hole scavenger of about 1.5 and 0.9 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and maximal external quantum efficiencies of 56% and 24%, respectively, alongside an onset potential of 0.3 V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirza Shmila
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Sanjit Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Shmuel Barzilai
- Department of Chemistry, Nuclear Research Centre-Negev, P.O. Box 9001, Beer-Sheva, 84910, Israel
| | - Neeta Karjule
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
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13
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Zhang J, Zhang G, Lan H, Sun M, Liu H, Qu J. Synergetic Oxidation of the Hydroxyl Radical and Superoxide Anion Lowers the Benzoquinone Intermediate Conversion Barrier and Potentiates Effective Aromatic Pollutant Mineralization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:12117-12126. [PMID: 37525979 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of the free radical types is crucial but challenging in the ubiquitous heterogeneous catalytic oxidation for chemosynthesis, biotherapy, and environmental remediation. Here, using aromatic pollutant (AP) removal as a prototype, we identify the massive accumulation of the benzoquinone (BQ) intermediate in the hydroxyl radical (•OH)-mediated AP degradation process. Theoretical prediction and experiments demonstrate that BQ is both a Lewis acid and base because of its unique molecular and electronic structure caused by the existence of symmetrical carbonyl groups; therefore, it is hard to be electrophilically added by oxidizing •OH as a result of the high reaction energy barrier (ΔG = 1.74 eV). Fortunately, the introduction of the superoxide anion (•O2-) significantly lowers the conversion barrier (ΔG = 0.91 eV) of BQ because •O2- can act as the electron donor and acceptor simultaneously, electrophilically and nucleophilically add to BQ synchronously, and break it down. Subsequently, the breakdown products can then be further oxidized by •OH until completely mineralized. Such synergistic oxidation based on •OH and •O2- timely eliminates BQ, potentiates AP mineralization, and inhibits electrode fouling caused by high-resistance polymeric BQ; more importantly, it effectively reduces toxicity, saves energy and costs, and decreases the environmental footprint, evidenced by the life cycle assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Gong Zhang
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Huachun Lan
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Sun
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Huijuan Liu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
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14
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Meng M, Yang L, Yang J, Zhu Y, Li C, Xia H, Yuan H, Zhang M, Zhao Y, Tian F, Li J, Liu K, Wang L, Gan Z. Two-dimensional lateral anatase-rutile TiO 2 phase junctions with oxygen vacancies for robust photoelectrochemical water splitting. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 648:56-65. [PMID: 37295370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting the photoelectrode materials with broad solar light response, high-efficient separation of photogenerated charges and abundant active sites is extremely vital yet enormously challenging. Herein, an innovative two-dimensional (2D) lateral anatase-rutile TiO2 phase junctions with controllable oxygen vacancies perpendicularly aligned on Ti mesh is presented. Our experimental observations and theoretical calculations corroborate explicitly that the 2D lateral phase junctions together with three-dimensional arrays not only exhibit the high-efficient photogenerated charges separation guaranteed by the build-in electric field at the side-to-side interface, but also furnish enriching active sites. Moreover, the interfacial oxygen vacancies generate new defect energy levels and serve as electron donors, hence extending visible light response and further accelerating the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges. Profiting from these merits, the optimized photoelectrode yield a pronounced photocurrent density of 1.2 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE with Faradic efficiency of 100%, which is approximately 2.4 times larger than that of pristine 2D TiO2 nanosheets. Furthermore, the incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the optimized photoelectrode is also boosted within both ultraviolet and visible light regions. This research is envisioned deliver the new insight in developing the novel 2D lateral phase junctions for PEC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Meng
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China.
| | - Lun Yang
- Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China
| | - Jing Yang
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Yu Zhu
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Chunyang Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Hongjun Xia
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Honglei Yuan
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China
| | - You Zhao
- Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China
| | - Fengshou Tian
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Jitao Li
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Kuili Liu
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Zhixing Gan
- Center for Future Optoelectronic Functional Materials, School of Computer and Electronic Information/School of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
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15
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Mondal S, Mark G, Abisdris L, Li J, Shmila T, Tzadikov J, Volokh M, Xing L, Shalom M. Developing extended visible light responsive polymeric carbon nitrides for photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic applications. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:1363-1372. [PMID: 36723245 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00016h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) has emerged as an attractive material for photocatalysis and photoelectronic devices. However, the synthesis of porous CNs with controlled structural and optical properties remains a challenge, and processable CN precursors are still highly sought after for fabricating homogenous CN layers strongly bound to a given substrate. Here, we report a general method to synthesize highly dispersed porous CN materials that show excellent photocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction and good performance as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells (PEC): first, supramolecular assemblies of melem and melamine in ethylene glycol and water are prepared using a hydrothermal process. These precursors are then calcined to yield a water-dispersible CN photocatalyst that exhibits beneficial charge separation under illumination, extended visible-light response attributed to carbon doping, and a large number of free amine groups that act as preferential sites for a Pt cocatalyst. The optimized CN exhibits state-of-the-art HER rates up to 23.1 mmol h-1 g-1, with an AQE of 19.2% at 395 nm. This unique synthetic route enables the formation of a homogeneous precursor paste for substrate casting; consequently, the CN photoanode exhibits a low onset potential, a high photocurrent density and good stability after calcination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjit Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Gabriel Mark
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Liel Abisdris
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Junyi Li
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Tirza Shmila
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Jonathan Tzadikov
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Lidan Xing
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
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16
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Volokh M, Shalom M. Polymeric carbon nitride as a platform for photoelectrochemical water-splitting cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1521:5-13. [PMID: 36719040 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) materials are promising low-cost photocatalysts that exhibit a combination of chemical and physical properties suitable for converting light into redox activity on their surface. In this perspective, we describe our experience with this family of materials as light absorbers that serve as an anode in photoelectrochemical cells toward water-splitting. We describe some of the CN deposition techniques and procedures established in our lab. The knowledge gained from powder-based photocatalysis is implemented in photoelectrochemical scenarios and is used to determine the merits and shortcomings of resulting layers. We show how the preparation methods are oriented based on these factors and how high photoelectrochemical water-splitting activity develops in photoanodes we developed where CN(s) act as photoabsorbers. Lastly, we present our view on the future prospects of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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17
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Lei Y, Si W, Wang Y, Tan H, Di L, Wang L, Liang J, Hou F. Robust Carbon Nitride Homojunction Photoelectrode for Solar-Driven Water Splitting. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:6726-6734. [PMID: 36692988 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Achieving intimate particle-to-particle and particle-to-substrate contacts is the first priority for fabricating high-quality photoelectrodes to ensure sufficient visible light absorption and efficient charge separation/transport. To achieve this goal, a seeding strategy is designed to construct a robust carbon nitride (CN) homojunction photoelectrode, in which vaporized precursors are condensed into a compact seeding layer at low temperatures, inducing the further deposition of the top layer. This optimized photoelectrode displays an excellent photocurrent density of 320 μA cm-2 in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte at 1.23 VRHE (V vs reversible hydrogen electrode) under AM 1.5G illumination, with H2 and O2 evolution rates of 2.98 and 1.47 μmol h-1 cm-2, respectively. Characterizations show that both the robust contact and the homojunction of the double-layered CN film contribute to enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. This work may provide a new strategy for the design of high-performing CN photoelectrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Lei
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Wenping Si
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Haotian Tan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Lu Di
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Liqun Wang
- Applied Physics Department, College of Physics and Materials Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin300387, China
| | - Ji Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Feng Hou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
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18
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Doping Engineering in Polymeric Carbon Nitride for Low‐Onset‐Potential Photoelectrochemical Applications. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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19
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Pulignani C, Mesa CA, Hillman SAJ, Uekert T, Giménez S, Durrant JR, Reisner E. Rational Design of Carbon Nitride Photoelectrodes with High Activity Toward Organic Oxidations. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202211587. [PMID: 36224107 PMCID: PMC10099510 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202211587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Carbon nitride (CNx ) is a light-absorber with excellent performance in photocatalytic suspension systems, but the activity of CNx photoelectrodes has remained low. Here, cyanamide-functionalized CNx (NCN CNx ) was co-deposited with ITO nanoparticles on a 1.8 Å thick alumina-coated FTO electrode. Transient absorption spectroscopy and impedance measurements support that ITO acts as a conductive binder and improves electron extraction from the NCN CNx , whilst the alumina underlayer reduces recombination losses between the ITO and the FTO glass. The Al2 O3 |ITO : NCN CNx film displays a benchmark performance for CNx -based photoanodes with an onset of -0.4 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and 1.4±0.2 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs RHE during AM1.5G irradiation for the selective oxidation of 4-methylbenzyl alcohol. This assembly strategy will improve the exploration of CNx in fundamental and applied photoelectrochemical (PEC) studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pulignani
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Camilo A. Mesa
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM) Universitat Jaume I (UJI) 12006 Castelló de la Plana, Castellón Spain
| | - Sam A. J. Hillman
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Taylor Uekert
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
| | - Sixto Giménez
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM) Universitat Jaume I (UJI) 12006 Castelló de la Plana, Castellón Spain
| | - James R. Durrant
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics Imperial College London London W12 0BZ UK
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1EW UK
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20
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Versatile heterojunction of gold nanoparticles modified phosphorus doped carbon nitride for enhanced photo-electrocatalytic sensing and degradation of 4-chlorophenol. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 632:117-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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Karjule N, Phatake RS, Barzilai S, Mondal B, Azoulay A, Shames AI, Volokh M, Albero J, García H, Shalom M. Photoelectrochemical alcohols oxidation over polymeric carbon nitride photoanodes with simultaneous H 2 production. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY. A 2022; 10:16585-16594. [PMID: 36091884 PMCID: PMC9365238 DOI: 10.1039/d2ta03660f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The photoelectrochemical oxidation of organic molecules into valuable chemicals is a promising technology, but its development is hampered by the poor stability of photoanodic materials in aqueous solutions, low faradaic efficiency, low product selectivity, and a narrow working pH range. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of value-added aldehydes and carboxylic acids with clean hydrogen (H2) production in water using a photoelectrochemical cell based solely on polymeric carbon nitride (CN) as the photoanode. Isotope labeling measurements and DFT calculations reveal a preferential adsorption of benzyl alcohol and molecular oxygen to the CN layer, enabling fast proton abstraction and oxygen reduction, which leads to the synthesis of an aldehyde at the first step. Further oxidation affords the corresponding acid. The CN photoanode exhibits excellent stability (>40 h) and activity for the oxidation of a wide range of substituted benzyl alcohols with high yield, selectivity (up to 99%), and faradaic efficiency (>90%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeta Karjule
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Ravindra S Phatake
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Shmuel Barzilai
- Department of Chemistry, Nuclear Research Centre-Negev P.O. Box 9001 Beer-Sheva 84910 Israel
| | - Biswajit Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Adi Azoulay
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Alexander I Shames
- Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Michael Volokh
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
| | - Josep Albero
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (ITQ), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones, Científicas (CSIC), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) Avda. de Los Narajos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain
| | - Hermenegildo García
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (ITQ), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones, Científicas (CSIC), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) Avda. de Los Narajos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva 8410501 Israel
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22
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Fan X, Wang Z, Lin T, Du D, Xiao M, Chen P, Monny SA, Huang H, Lyu M, Lu M, Wang L. Coordination Chemistry Engineered Polymeric Carbon Nitride Photoanode with Ultralow Onset Potential for Water Splitting. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202204407. [PMID: 35650689 PMCID: PMC9401030 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202204407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Construction of an intimate film/substrate interface is of great importance for a photoelectrode to achieve efficient photoelectrochemical performance. Inspired by coordination chemistry, a polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) film is intimately grown on a Ti-coated substrate by an in situ thermal condensation process. The as-prepared PCN photoanode exhibits a record low onset potential (Eonset ) of -0.38 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a decent photocurrent density of 242 μA cm-2 at 1.23 VRHE for water splitting. Detailed characterization confirms that the origin of the ultralow onset potential is mainly attributed to the substantially reduced interfacial resistance between the Ti-coated substrate and the PCN film benefitting from the constructed interfacial sp2 N→Ti coordination bonds. For the first time, the ultralow onset potential enables the PCN photoanode to drive water splitting without external bias with a stable photocurrent density of ≈9 μA cm-2 up to 1 hour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqian Fan
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Zhiliang Wang
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Tongen Lin
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Du Du
- School of Mechanical and Mining EngineeringThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Mu Xiao
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Peng Chen
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Sabiha Akter Monny
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Hengming Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical EngineeringCollege of Materials Science and EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjing211816P.R. China
| | - Miaoqiang Lyu
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Mingyuan Lu
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
| | - Lianzhou Wang
- Nanomaterials CentreSchool of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD 4072Australia
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23
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Akaike K, Hosokai A, Nagashima H, Wei Q, Hosokai T. Chemical reactions of graphitic carbon nitride films with glass surfaces and their impact on photocatalytic activity. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:17504-17515. [PMID: 35838187 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01677j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Thin films of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN), a visible-light-driven photocatalyst, have recently attracted interest for application in photoelectrochemical cells for water splitting and high-throughput photocatalysis. In typical syntheses, g-CN films are formed by heating the nitrogen-rich precursor and substrate to 500-600 °C. The heated substrate should affect the polycondensation of the precursor and thereby alter the properties of the g-CN film. In this paper, we demonstrate that soda-lime glass, such as commercial glass slides, modifies the chemical structure of g-CN. The terminal amino groups of g-CN are partially substituted with cyanamide and hydroxyl groups. The electron-withdrawing groups provide the energy offsets of the frontier orbitals between the modified and unmodified molecules, facilitating exciton dissociation. After alkali metals are removed, the modified g-CN film exhibits a faster photodegradation of methyl orange compared with a melon film. The simple protocol to activate a g-CN film without co-catalysts paves a new way to enhance photocatalytic activity via selections of substrates, including waste glass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Akaike
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.
| | - Ayako Hosokai
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Nagashima
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Catalytic Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Qingshuo Wei
- Nanomaterials Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.
| | - Takuya Hosokai
- National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
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24
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Thangamuthu M, Ruan Q, Ohemeng PO, Luo B, Jing D, Godin R, Tang J. Polymer Photoelectrodes for Solar Fuel Production: Progress and Challenges. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11778-11829. [PMID: 35699661 PMCID: PMC9284560 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Converting solar energy to fuels has attracted substantial interest over the past decades because it has the potential to sustainably meet the increasing global energy demand. However, achieving this potential requires significant technological advances. Polymer photoelectrodes are composed of earth-abundant elements, e.g. carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, which promise to be more economically sustainable than their inorganic counterparts. Furthermore, the electronic structure of polymer photoelectrodes can be more easily tuned to fit the solar spectrum than inorganic counterparts, promising a feasible practical application. As a fast-moving area, in particular, over the past ten years, we have witnessed an explosion of reports on polymer materials, including photoelectrodes, cocatalysts, device architectures, and fundamental understanding experimentally and theoretically, all of which have been detailed in this review. Furthermore, the prospects of this field are discussed to highlight the future development of polymer photoelectrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madasamy Thangamuthu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Qiushi Ruan
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast
University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Peter Osei Ohemeng
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British
Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Bing Luo
- School
of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
- International
Research Center for Renewable Energy & State Key Laboratory of
Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Dengwei Jing
- International
Research Center for Renewable Energy & State Key Laboratory of
Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Robert Godin
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British
Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Junwang Tang
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
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25
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Li Y, Tian X, Chen L, Li J, Zhao F. Enhanced interfacial electron transfer between semiconductor and non-photosynthetic microorganism under visible light. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 147:108195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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26
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Coordination Chemistry Engineered Polymeric Carbon Nitride Photoanode with Ultralow Onset Potential for Water Splitting. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202204407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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27
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Bagheri AR, Aramesh N, Chen J, Liu W, Shen W, Tang S, Lee HK. Polyoxometalate-based materials in extraction, and electrochemical and optical detection methods: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1209:339509. [PMID: 35569843 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyoxometalates (POMs) as metal-oxide anions have exceptional properties like high negative charges, remarkable redox abilities, unique ligand properties and availability of organic grafting. Moreover, the amenability of POMs to modification with different materials makes them suitable as precursors to further obtain new composites. Due to their unique attributes, POMs and their composites have been utilized as adsorbents, electrodes and catalysts in extraction, and electrochemical and optical detection methods, respectively. A survey of the recent progress and developments of POM-based materials in these methods is therefore desirable, and should be of great interest. In this review article, POM-based materials, their properties as well as their identification methods, and analytical applications as adsorbents, electrodes and catalysts, and corresponding mechanisms of action, where relevant, are reviewed. Some current issues of the utilization of these materials and their future prospects in analytical chemistry are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahal Aramesh
- Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Iran
| | - Jisen Chen
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenning Liu
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Wei Shen
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Sheng Tang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Hian Kee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, 117543, Singapore.
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28
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Li X, Wang J, Xia J, Fang Y, Hou Y, Fu X, Shalom M, Wang X. One-Pot Synthesis of CoS 2 Merged in Polymeric Carbon Nitride Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. CHEMSUSCHEM 2022; 15:e202200330. [PMID: 35212173 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) has attracted intensive interest as sustainable, metal-free semiconductor for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Charge transfer along the films acts as the main concern to restrict the performance due to the amorphous nature of polymer. Herein, gradient concentration of cobalt disulfide (CoS2 ) merged in PCN films was realized as CSCN photoanode by a one-pot synthesis. Owing to the unique properties of CoS2 , namely high conductivity, the charge transfer of the CSCN photoanode was promoted, and thus the performance for PEC water oxidation was improved. The optimal photoanode exhibited a photoanodic current of 200 μA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode under air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5G) illumination, which was approximately 4 times that of the pristine PCN photoanode. This work provides a new design of metal-free photoanodes to improve the performance of water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, P. R. China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Yuanxing Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, P. R. China
| | - Yidong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, P. R. China
| | - Xianzhi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, P. R. China
| | - Menny Shalom
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Xinchen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, P. R. China
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29
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Bagheri AR, Aramesh N, Gong Z, Cerda V, Lee HK. Two-dimensional materials as a platform in extraction methods: A review. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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30
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Fang Y, Hou Y, Fu X, Wang X. Semiconducting Polymers for Oxygen Evolution Reaction under Light Illumination. Chem Rev 2022; 122:4204-4256. [PMID: 35025505 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sunlight-driven water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel has stimulated intensive scientific interest, as this technology has the potential to revolutionize fossil fuel-based energy systems in modern society. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) determines the performance of overall water splitting owing to its sluggish kinetics with multielectron transfer processing. Polymeric photocatalysts have recently been developed for the OER, and substantial progress has been realized in this emerging research field. In this Review, the focus is on the photocatalytic technologies and materials of polymeric photocatalysts for the OER. Two practical systems, namely, particle suspension systems and film-based photoelectrochemical systems, form two main sections. The concept is reviewed in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics, and polymeric photocatalysts are discussed based on three key characteristics, namely, light absorption, charge separation and transfer, and surface oxidation reactions. A satisfactory OER performance by polymeric photocatalysts will eventually offer a platform to achieve overall water splitting and other advanced applications in a cost-effective, sustainable, and renewable manner using solar energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxing Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Yidong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Xianzhi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Xinchen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
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31
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Wang Z, Zhu H, Tu W, Zhu X, Yao Y, Zhou Y, Zou Z. Host/Guest Nanostructured Photoanodes Integrated with Targeted Enhancement Strategies for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103744. [PMID: 34738739 PMCID: PMC8805576 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production from water splitting is a green technology that can solve the environmental and energy problems through converting solar energy into renewable hydrogen fuel. The construction of host/guest architecture in semiconductor photoanodes has proven to be an effective strategy to improve solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency dramatically. In host/guest photoanodes, the absorber layer is deposited onto a high-surface-area electron collector, resulting in a significant enhancements in light-harvesting as well as charge collection and separation efficiency. The present review aims to summarize and highlight recent state-of-the-art progresses in the architecture designing of host/guest photoanodes with integrated enhancement strategies, including i) light trapping effect; ii) optimization of conductive host scaffolds; iii) hierarchical structure engineering. The challenges and prospects for the future development of host/guest nanostructured photoanodes are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Wang
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the MicroscaleSchool of Chemistry and Materials ScienceUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230026P. R. China
| | - Heng Zhu
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
| | - Wenguang Tu
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
| | - Xi Zhu
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
| | - Yingfang Yao
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
- College of Engineering and Applied SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsu210093P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhou
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano TechnologyNational Laboratory of Solid State MicrostructuresCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced MicrostructuresSchool of PhysicsNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsu210093P. R. China
| | - Zhigang Zou
- School of Science and EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhenGuangdong518172P. R. China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano TechnologyNational Laboratory of Solid State MicrostructuresCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced MicrostructuresSchool of PhysicsNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsu210093P. R. China
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32
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Li P, Wang M, Huang S, Su Y. Phosphorus- and fluorine-co-doped carbon nitride: modulated visible light absorption, charge carrier kinetics and boosted photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:14110-14114. [PMID: 34604888 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt02368c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A phosphorus and fluorine co-doped carbon nitride (PF-CN) photocatalyst was synthesized to modulate the band gap structure, visible light response ability and photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. Experimental results demonstrated that the electronic structure of g-C3N4 was regulated by phosphorus replacing the C site and fluorine substituting the N site in the g-C3N4 framework to form P-N species and C-F bonds, respectively. P- and F-co-doped carbon nitride gave rise to a more negative conduction band potential, larger surface area, efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers and a faster charge transfer rate, contributing to an enhancement of photocatalytic H2 production activity. PF-CN achieved an optimal H2 evolution activity of 1690.56 μmol g-1 which was 17.83 times higher with respect to that of pristine g-C3N4 (94.81 μmol g-1). Meanwhile, PF-CN achieved the highest apparent quantum efficiency of 3.76% at 435 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinnan Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China.
| | - Mingya Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China.
| | - Shushu Huang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China. .,College of Light Industry and Textile, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot, 010080, China.
| | - Yiguo Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Rare Earth Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China.
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33
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Zhang L, Wei C, Tang H, Wang H, Bian Z. Construction of heterojunction photoanode via facile synthesis of CoOx/CN nanocomposites for enhanced visible-light-driven photoelectrochemical degradation of clofibric acid. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 281:130825. [PMID: 34000657 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Visible-light-driven photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) oxidation has been explored extensively to develop highly active materials. Herein, a visible-light-active p-Co3O4 and n-g-C3N4 heterojunction (CoOx/CN) photoanode, constructed by simple one-pot calcination, was shown to remove clofibric acid (CA) from water through a PEC process. Compared with pristine g-C3N4, the optimal photoanode (15%-CoOx/CN) exhibited stable and effective PEC performance and CA degradation performance, a 100-fold enhancement in photocurrent density, and around 1.5-fold decreased efficiency over 6 h. The p-n heterojunctions were shown to increased the charge density and conductivity of g-C3N4 for rapid charge transfer. Furthermore, interface contact broadened the visible light absorption and accelerated charge carrier transfer. Notably, the catalysts established p-n heterojunctions, which hindered the bulk recombination of photoinduced carriers and improved the charge separation efficiency. The CoOx/CN photoanodes showed a pair of redox peaks at a potential of 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl, indicating good Co3O4 redox behavior under alkaline conditions. The 15%-CoOx/CN photoanode displayed excellent PEC performance of up to 0.16 mA cm-2 in 0.1 M KOH solution at 1.23 V vs. RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode) and long-term stability for up to 12 h. The CoOx/CN photoanodes maintained excellent PEC activities for CA removal, even under acidic and alkaline conditions conditions (pH 3-10). Probable degradation pathway of CA was proposed according to the main degradation intermediates. This study shows that the synergistic effect of p-n heterojunctions in photoelectrodes provides a new approach to the rational application of new photoanode candidates and PEC performance optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Ci Wei
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Hanyu Tang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, PR China.
| | - Zhaoyong Bian
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, PR China.
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34
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Scalable, highly stable Si-based metal-insulator-semiconductor photoanodes for water oxidation fabricated using thin-film reactions and electrodeposition. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3982. [PMID: 34172754 PMCID: PMC8233328 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures are widely used in Si-based solar water-splitting photoelectrodes to protect the Si layer from corrosion. Typically, there is a tradeoff between efficiency and stability when optimizing insulator thickness. Moreover, lithographic patterning is often required for fabricating MIS photoelectrodes. In this study, we demonstrate improved Si-based MIS photoanodes with thick insulating layers fabricated using thin-film reactions to create localized conduction paths through the insulator and electrodeposition to form metal catalyst islands. These fabrication approaches are low-cost and highly scalable, and yield MIS photoanodes with low onset potential, high saturation current density, and excellent stability. By combining this approach with a p+n-Si buried junction, further improved oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance is achieved with an onset potential of 0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and saturation current density of 32 mA/cm2 under simulated AM1.5G illumination. Moreover, in stability testing in 1 M KOH aqueous solution, a constant photocurrent density of ~22 mA/cm2 is maintained at 1.3 V versus RHE for 7 days. Authors demonstrate Si-based MIS photoanodes using Al thin-film reactions to create localized conduction paths through the insulator and Ni electrodeposition to form metal catalyst islands. These approaches yielded low onset potential, high saturation current density, and excellent stability.
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Zhang J, Zou Y, Eickelmann S, Njel C, Heil T, Ronneberger S, Strauss V, Seeberger PH, Savateev A, Loeffler FF. Laser-driven growth of structurally defined transition metal oxide nanocrystals on carbon nitride photoelectrodes in milliseconds. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3224. [PMID: 34050154 PMCID: PMC8163840 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23367-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabrication of hybrid photoelectrodes on a subsecond timescale with low energy consumption and possessing high photocurrent densities remains a centerpiece for successful implementation of photoelectrocatalytic synthesis of fuels and value-added chemicals. Here, we introduce a laser-driven technology to print sensitizers with desired morphologies and layer thickness onto different substrates, such as glass, carbon, or carbon nitride (CN). The specially designed process uses a thin polymer reactor impregnated with transition metal salts, confining the growth of transition metal oxide (TMO) nanostructures on the interface in milliseconds, while their morphology can be tuned by the laser. Multiple nano-p-n junctions at the interface increase the electron/hole lifetime by efficient charge trapping. A hybrid copper oxide/CN photoanode with optimal architecture reaches 10 times higher photocurrents than the pristine CN photoanode. This technology provides a modular approach to build a library of TMO-based composite films, enabling the creation of materials for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Zhang
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yajun Zou
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Christian Njel
- Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) and Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMF), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Tobias Heil
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Volker Strauss
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Felix F Loeffler
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.
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Adler C, Krivtsov I, Mitoraj D, dos Santos‐Gómez L, García‐Granda S, Neumann C, Kund J, Kranz C, Mizaikoff B, Turchanin A, Beranek R. Sol-Gel Processing of Water-Soluble Carbon Nitride Enables High-Performance Photoanodes*. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:2170-2179. [PMID: 33576576 PMCID: PMC8248241 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202100313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In spite of the enormous promise that polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) materials hold for various applications, the fabrication of high-quality, binder-free PCN films and electrodes has been a largely elusive goal to date. Here, we tackle this challenge by devising, for the first time, a water-based sol-gel approach that enables facile preparation of thin films based on poly(heptazine imide) (PHI), a polymer belonging to the PCN family. The sol-gel process capitalizes on the use of a water-soluble PHI precursor that allows formation of a non-covalent hydrogel. The hydrogel can be deposited on conductive substrates, resulting in formation of mechanically stable polymeric thin layers. The resulting photoanodes exhibit unprecedented photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance in alcohol reforming and highly selective (∼100 %) conversions with very high photocurrents (>0.25 mA cm-2 under 2 sun) down to <0 V vs. RHE. This enables even effective PEC operation under zero-bias conditions and represents the very first example of a 'soft matter'-based PEC system capable of bias-free photoreforming. The robust binder-free films derived from sol-gel processing of water-soluble PCN thus constitute a new paradigm for high-performance 'soft matter' photoelectrocatalytic systems and pave the way for further applications in which high-quality PCN films are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Adler
- Institute of ElectrochemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 4789081UlmGermany
| | - Igor Krivtsov
- Institute of ElectrochemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 4789081UlmGermany
| | - Dariusz Mitoraj
- Institute of ElectrochemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 4789081UlmGermany
| | - Lucía dos Santos‐Gómez
- Department of Physical and Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Oviedo-CINN33006OviedoSpain
| | - Santiago García‐Granda
- Department of Physical and Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Oviedo-CINN33006OviedoSpain
| | - Christof Neumann
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of PhotonicsFriedrich Schiller University JenaLessingstr. 1007743JenaGermany
- Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry JenaCEEC Jena)Philosophenweg 7a07743JenaGermany
| | - Julian Kund
- Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical ChemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 1189081UlmGermany
| | - Christine Kranz
- Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical ChemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 1189081UlmGermany
| | - Boris Mizaikoff
- Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical ChemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 1189081UlmGermany
| | - Andrey Turchanin
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of PhotonicsFriedrich Schiller University JenaLessingstr. 1007743JenaGermany
- Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry JenaCEEC Jena)Philosophenweg 7a07743JenaGermany
| | - Radim Beranek
- Institute of ElectrochemistryUlm UniversityAlbert-Einstein-Allee 4789081UlmGermany
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Ma L, Wang L, Guo Y, Wang Z, Yin H, Jiang R. Enhancing the photocatalytic water splitting of graphitic carbon nitride by hollow anatase titania dielectric resonators. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 598:14-23. [PMID: 33887607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitride (CN) generally needs to be exfoliated into ultrathin nanosheets to reduce photocarrier recombination. However, the exfoliation of CN into nanosheets also reduces the light absorption. How to simultaneously realize low photocarrier recombination and high light absorption remains a challenge in the practical application of CN in photocatalysis. Herein, the light absorption of CN nanosheets was enhanced by introducing hollow TiO2 (h-TiO2) dielectric resonators. The h-TiO2/CN heterostructures were prepared by thermally polymerizing dicyandiamide in the presence of h-TiO2. The electromagnetic resonances of the h-TiO2 resonator creates strong electric field enhancement within, inside, and near external surface of the introduced h-TiO2 nanoshells. The enhanced electric field greatly improves the light absorption of CN located in these regions. The largest hydrogen evolution rate for h-TiO2/CN can reach 6.3 mmol g-1h-1, which is over 3-fold that of pure CN (2.0 mmol g-1h-1). It is also found that the small amount of CN within and inside h-TiO2 majorly contributes to the photocatalytic performance. These findings open a new avenue by which to enhance the performance of photocatalysts and will be helpful in the design of highly efficient photocatalysts for various reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Ma
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Le Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yingjie Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Zhongke Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Hang Yin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Ruibin Jiang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
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Vinoth S, Ong WJ, Pandikumar A. Sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride incorporated bismuth oxychloride/Cobalt based type-II heterojunction as a highly stable material for photoelectrochemical water splitting. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 591:85-95. [PMID: 33592528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.01.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cobalt incorporated sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride with bismuth oxychloride (Co/S-gC3N4/BiOCl) heterojunction is prepared by an ultrasonically assisted hydrothermal treatment. The heterojunction materials have employed in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The PEC activity and stability of the materials are promoted by constructing an interface between the visible light active semiconductor photocatalyst and cocatalysts. The photocurrent density of Co-9% S-gC3N4/BiOCl has attained 393.0 μA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which is 7-fold larger than BiOCl and ~3-fold higher than 9% S-gC3N4/BiOCl. The enhanced PEC activity can be attributed to the improved electron-hole charge separation and the boosted charge transfer is confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The fabricated Co/S-gC3N4/BiOCl nanohybrid material has exhibited high stability of up to 10,800 s (3 h) at 1.23 V vs. RHE during PEC water splitting reaction and the obtained photo-conversion efficiency is 3.7-fold greater than S-gC3N4/BiOCl and 17-fold higher than BiOCl. The FESEM and HRTEM images have revealed the formation of heterojunction interface between S-gC3N4 and BiOCl and the elemental mapping has confirmed the presence of cobalt over S-gC3N4/BiOCl. The heterojunction interface has facilitated the photo-excited charge separation and transport across the electrode/electrolyte interface and also the flat-band potential, which is confirmed by Mott-Schottky analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vinoth
- Electro Organic and Materials Electrochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sansuria, 43900 Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - A Pandikumar
- Electro Organic and Materials Electrochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Vu MH, Nguyen CC, Do T. Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C
3
N
4
) Nanosheets as a Multipurpose Material for Detection of Amines and Solar‐Driven Hydrogen Production. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.202000265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manh Hiep Vu
- Department of Chemical Engineering Laval University Québec Québec G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Chinh Chien Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering Laval University Québec Québec G1V 0A6 Canada
- Laboratory of Energy and Environmental Science Institute of Research and Development Duy Tan University Da Nang 550000 Vietnam
| | - Trong‐On Do
- Department of Chemical Engineering Laval University Québec Québec G1V 0A6 Canada
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Cheng L, Zhang H, Li X, Fan J, Xiang Q. Carbon-Graphitic Carbon Nitride Hybrids for Heterogeneous Photocatalysis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2005231. [PMID: 33289337 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202005231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) and various carbon materials have experienced a renaissance as viable alternates in photocatalysis due to their captivating metal-free features, favorable photoelectric properties, and economic adaptabilities. Although numerous efforts have focused on the integration of both materials with optimized photocatalytic performance in recent years, the direct parameters for this emerging enhancement are not fully summarized yet. Fully understanding the synergistic effects between g-C3 N4 and carbon materials on photocatalytic action is vital to further development of metal-free semiconductors in future studies. Here, recent advances of carbon/g-C3 N4 hybrids on various photocatalytic applications are reviewed. The dominant governing factors by inducing carbon into g-C3 N4 photocatalysts with involving photocatalytic mechanism are highlighted. Five typical carbon-induced enhancement effects are mainly discussed here, i.e., local electric modification, band structure tailoring, multiple charge carrier activation, chemical group functionalization, and abundant surface-modified engineering. Photocatalytic performance of carbon-induced g-C3 N4 photocatalysts for addressing directly both the renewable energy storage and environmental remediation is also summarized. Finally, perspectives and ongoing challenges encountered in the development of metal-free carbon-induced g-C3 N4 photocatalysts are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Film and Integrated Devices, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Huaiwu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Film and Integrated Devices, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Key Laboratory of Energy Plants Resource and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Biomass Energy of Guangdong Regular Higher Education Institutions, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Jiajie Fan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450002, P. R. China
| | - Quanjun Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Film and Integrated Devices, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, P. R. China
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Pramanik K, Sengupta P, Majumder B, Datta P, Sarkar P. Artificial Bifunctional Photozyme of Glucose Oxidase-Peroxidase for Solar-Powered Glucose-Peroxide Detection in a Biofluid with Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Polymers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:36948-36956. [PMID: 32600024 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c10973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Photozymes or artificial photosynthesis based on alternative natural enzymes is vital for the sustainable development of next-generation healthcare, energy, and materials science. Herein, we report resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resins as a solar-driven metal-free bifunctional glucose oxidase-peroxidase stand-alone photozyme for the colorimetric dual detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. The π-bond conjugated benzenoid-ortho/para quinoid RF polymers are efficient for glucose oxidation and hydrogen peroxide reduction with concurrent 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine oxidation under natural sunlight. The photoinduced colorimetric process could detect H2O2 up to 3.5 μM at 652 nm with the linear range of 0.1-2 mM. A limit of detection of 9.2 μM was exhibited by the system while measuring glucose with a linearity from 0.2 to 8.5 mM. The formation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) from glucose oxidation reactions was evidenced by spin trapping electron paramagnetic resonance studies conducted herein. The results indicated that RF resins possessed strong intrinsic glucose oxidase and peroxidase (POx)-like activity under natural sunlight with promising storage and operation. This simple photozyme will definitely have potential uses in biomimetic solar-driven catalysis, bioenergy, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnendu Pramanik
- Biolectrochemical Laboratory, Calcutta Institute of Technology, Banitabla, Howrah, 711316 West Bengal, India
| | - Pavel Sengupta
- Biolectrochemical Laboratory, Calcutta Institute of Technology, Banitabla, Howrah, 711316 West Bengal, India
| | - Bidisha Majumder
- Biolectrochemical Laboratory, Calcutta Institute of Technology, Banitabla, Howrah, 711316 West Bengal, India
| | - Pallab Datta
- Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Howrah, 711103 West Bengal, India
| | - Priyabrata Sarkar
- Biolectrochemical Laboratory, Calcutta Institute of Technology, Banitabla, Howrah, 711316 West Bengal, India
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