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Hu Q, Huang Y, Yu X, Gong S, Wen Y, Liu Y, Li G, Zhang Q, Ye R, Chen X. Ultrafast Hole Transfer in Graphitic Carbon Nitride Imide Enabling Efficient H 2O 2 Photoproduction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:42611-42621. [PMID: 37643590 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven photocatalysis is a promising approach for renewable energy application. H2O2 photocatalysis by metal-free graphitic carbon nitride has been gaining attention. Compared with traditional thermal catalysis, metal-free graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysis could lower material cost and achieve greener production of H2O2. Also, to better guide photocatalyst design, a fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism is needed. Here, we develop a series of model cost-effective metal-free H2O2 photocatalysts made from graphitic carbon nitride (melem) and common imide groups. With 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA)-modified g-C3N4, a H2O2 yield rate of 10781 μmol/h·g·L could be achieved. Transient absorption and ex situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements revealed an ultrafast charge transfer from the melem core to water with ∼3 ps to form unique N-OH intermediates. The electron withdrawing ability of the anhydride group plays a role in governing the rate of electron transfer, ensuring efficient charge separation. Our strategy represents a new way to achieve a low material cost, simple synthesizing strategy, good environment impact, and high H2O2 production for renewable energy application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Hu
- SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuling Huang
- SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuemeng Yu
- SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaokuan Gong
- SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Wen
- SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Geng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruquan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xihan Chen
- SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
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Guo Y, Tong X, Yang N. Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide: Principles, Catalyst Design and Performance. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:77. [PMID: 36976372 PMCID: PMC10050521 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a high-demand organic chemical reagent and has been widely used in various modern industrial applications. Currently, the prominent method for the preparation of H2O2 is the anthraquinone oxidation. Unfortunately, it is not conducive to economic and sustainable development since it is a complex process and involves unfriendly environment and potential hazards. In this context, numerous approaches have been developed to synthesize H2O2. Among them, photo/electro-catalytic ones are considered as two of the most promising manners for on-site synthesis of H2O2. These alternatives are sustainable in that only water or O2 is required. Namely, water oxidation (WOR) or oxygen reduction (ORR) reactions can be further coupled with clean and sustainable energy. For photo/electro-catalytic reactions for H2O2 generation, the design of the catalysts is extremely important and has been extensively conducted with an aim to obtain ultimate catalytic performance. This article overviews the basic principles of WOR and ORR, followed by the summary of recent progresses and achievements on the design and performance of various photo/electro-catalysts for H2O2 generation. The related mechanisms for these approaches are highlighted from theoretical and experimental aspects. Scientific challenges and opportunities of engineering photo/electro-catalysts for H2O2 generation are also outlined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Xili Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Nianjun Yang
- Institute of Materials Engineering, University of Siegen, 57076, Siegen, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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3
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Xu Z, Hou B, Zhao F, Suo S, Liu Y, Shi H, Cai Z, Hill CL, Musaev DG, Mecklenburg M, Cronin SB, Lian T. Direct In Situ Measurement of Quantum Efficiencies of Charge Separation and Proton Reduction at TiO 2-Protected GaP Photocathodes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:2860-2869. [PMID: 36715560 PMCID: PMC9912250 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical solar fuel generation at the semiconductor/liquid interface consists of multiple elementary steps, including charge separation, recombination, and catalytic reactions. While the overall incident light-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) can be readily measured, identifying the microscopic efficiency loss processes remains difficult. Here, we report simultaneous in situ transient photocurrent and transient reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) measurements of titanium dioxide-protected gallium phosphide photocathodes for water reduction in photoelectrochemical cells. Transient reflectance spectroscopy enables the direct probe of the separated charge carriers responsible for water reduction to follow their kinetics. Comparison with transient photocurrent measurement allows the direct probe of the initial charge separation quantum efficiency (ϕCS) and provides support for a transient photocurrent model that divides IPCE into the product of quantum efficiencies of light absorption (ϕabs), charge separation (ϕCS), and photoreduction (ϕred), i.e., IPCE = ϕabsϕCSϕred. Our study shows that there are two general key loss pathways: recombination within the bulk GaP that reduces ϕCS and interfacial recombination at the junction that decreases ϕred. Although both loss pathways can be reduced at a more negative applied bias, for GaP/TiO2, the initial charge separation loss is the key efficiency limiting factor. Our combined transient reflectance and photocurrent study provides a time-resolved view of microscopic steps involved in the overall light-to-current conversion process and provides detailed insights into the main loss pathways of the photoelectrochemical system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Xu
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States,ZJU-Hangzhou
Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310014, China
| | - Bingya Hou
- Department
of Electrical Engineering, University of
South California, 3710 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, California90089, United States
| | - Fengyi Zhao
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States
| | - Sa Suo
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States
| | - Yawei Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States
| | - Haotian Shi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South California, 3710 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, California90089, United States
| | - Zhi Cai
- Department
of Electrical Engineering, University of
South California, 3710 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, California90089, United States
| | - Craig L. Hill
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States
| | - Djamaladdin G. Musaev
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States,Cherry
L. Emerson Centre for Scientific Computation, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United
States
| | - Matthew Mecklenburg
- Core Center
of Excellence in Nano Imaging (CNI), University
of South California, 814 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, California90089, United States
| | - Stephen B. Cronin
- Department
of Electrical Engineering, University of
South California, 3710 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, California90089, United States,Department
of Chemistry, University of South California, 3710 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, California90089, United States,
| | - Tianquan Lian
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, Georgia30322, United States,
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Hu Q, Yu X, Gong S, Chen X. Nanomaterial catalysts for organic photoredox catalysis-mechanistic perspective. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:18044-18053. [PMID: 34718365 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05474k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Solar energy conversions play a vital role in the renewable energy industry. In recent years, photoredox organic transformations have been explored as an alternative way to use solar energy. Catalysts for such photocatalytic systems have evolved from homogeneous metal complexes to heterogeneous nanomaterials over the past few decades. Herein, three important carrier transfer mechanisms are presented, including charge transfer, energy transfer and hot carrier transfer. Several models established by researchers to understand the catalytic reaction mechanisms are also illustrated, which promote the reaction system design based on theoretical studies. New strategies are introduced in order to enhance catalytic efficiency for future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Hu
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
| | - Xuemeng Yu
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
| | - Shaokuan Gong
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
| | - Xihan Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
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Xu Z, Hou B, Zhao F, Cai Z, Shi H, Liu Y, Hill CL, Musaev DG, Mecklenburg M, Cronin SB, Lian T. Nanoscale TiO 2 Protection Layer Enhances the Built-In Field and Charge Separation Performance of GaP Photoelectrodes. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:8017-8024. [PMID: 34569798 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale oxide layer protected semiconductor photoelectrodes show enhanced stability and performance for solar fuels generation, although the mechanism for the performance enhancement remains unclear due to a lack of understanding of the microscopic interfacial field and its effects. Here, we directly probe the interfacial fields at p-GaP electrodes protected by n-TiO2 and its effect on charge carriers by transient reflectance spectroscopy. Increasing the TiO2 layer thickness from 0 to 35 nm increases the field in the GaP depletion region, enhancing the rate and efficiency of interfacial electron transfer from the GaP to TiO2 on the ps time scale as well as retarding interfacial recombination on the microsecond time scale. This study demonstrates a general method for providing a microscopic view of the photogenerated charge carrier's pathway and loss mechanisms from the bulk of the electrode to the long-lived separated charge at the interface that ultimately drives the photoelectrochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Bingya Hou
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemistry, University of South California, 3710 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Fengyi Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Zhi Cai
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemistry, University of South California, 3710 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Haotian Shi
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemistry, University of South California, 3710 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Yawei Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Craig L Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Djamaladdin G Musaev
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Cherry L. Emerson Centre for Scientific Computation, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Matthew Mecklenburg
- Core Center of Excellence in Nano Imaging (CNI), University of South California, 814 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Stephen B Cronin
- Departments of Electrical Engineering and Chemistry, University of South California, 3710 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Tianquan Lian
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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