Research progress over Cu2O/n-type semiconductor composites in photocatalysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonghui Zhang ◽  
Yatong Shi ◽  
Shiyu Xie ◽  
Mingming Liu ◽  
Junli Chen ◽  
...  

: Photocatalysis is a feasible technology to solve energy shortage and environmental pollution by using solar energy. Semiconductor photocatalysts with low cost, high stability and environmental friendliness are demonstrated advantages for the production of solar fuel, CO2 reduction, and degradation of pollutants. Among them, Cu2O presents numerous potential for photocatalysis because of its narrow bandgap and high activity under visible light. However, the rapid recombination of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and the instability of Cu2O under light irradiation limit its photocatalytic performance. In order to solve the above issues, researchers prefer to incorporate Cu2O with n-type semiconductors to design p-n heterojunction composites, thus regulating the band structure, promoting the separation and transfer of electrons and holes, and accelerating the redox reaction onto the surface. In this manuscript, the preparation methods of Cu2O/n-type semiconductor composites such as hydrothermal method, electrodeposition method, and in situ method are concluded, the photocatalytic applications including CO2 reduction, hydrogen production, and degradation are presented, and the catalytic mechanism like Z-scheme, p-n heterojunction, etc. are discussed, respectively. This review also proposes that there are still challenges in broadening the photocatalytic application of Cu2O/n-type semiconductor composites.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongping Xue ◽  
Huicong Xia ◽  
Wenfu Yan ◽  
Jianan Zhang ◽  
Shichun Mu

Abstract Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction (ECR) has become one of the main methods to close the broken carbon cycle and temporarily store renewable energy, but there are still some problems such as poor stability, low activity, and selectivity. While the most promising strategy to improve ECR activity is to develop electrocatalysts with low cost, high activity, and long-term stability. Recently, defective carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention due to the unbalanced electron distribution and electronic structural distortion caused by the defects on the carbon materials. Here, the present review mainly summarizes the latest research progress of the construction of the diverse types of defects (intrinsic carbon defects, heteroatom doping defects, metal atomic sites, and edges detects) for carbon materials in ECR, and unveil the structure–activity relationship and its catalytic mechanism. The current challenges and opportunities faced by high-performance carbon materials in ECR are discussed, as well as possible future solutions. It can be believed that this review can provide some inspiration for the future of development of high-performance ECR catalysts.


Inorganics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yichao Cai ◽  
Yunpeng Hou ◽  
Yong Lu ◽  
Jun Chen

Rechargeable aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries have attracted significant interest in recent years owing to their ultrahigh theoretical capacity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the further development of Li-O2 batteries is hindered by some ineluctable issues, such as severe parasitic reactions, low energy efficiency, poor rate capability, short cycling life and potential safety hazards, which mainly stem from the high charging overpotential in the positive electrode side. Thus, it is of great significance to develop high-performance catalysts for the positive electrode in order to address these issues and to boost the commercialization of Li-O2 batteries. In this review, three main categories of catalyst for the positive electrode of Li-O2 batteries, including carbon materials, noble metals and their oxides, and transition metals and their oxides, are systematically summarized and discussed. We not only focus on the electrochemical performance of batteries, but also pay more attention to understanding the catalytic mechanism of these catalysts for the positive electrode. In closing, opportunities for the design of better catalysts for the positive electrode of high-performance Li-O2 batteries are discussed.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-Lan Yan ◽  
Xin-Chang Wang ◽  
Ji-Peng Cheng

The research on supercapacitors has been attractive due to their large power density, fast charge/discharge speed and long lifespan. The electrode materials for supercapacitors are thus intensively investigated to improve the electrochemical performances. Various transition metal layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with a hydrotalcite-like structure have been developed to be promising electrode materials. Earth-abundant metal hydroxides are very suitable electrode materials due to the low cost and high specific capacity. This is a review paper on NiMn LDHs for supercapacitor application. We focus particularly on the recent published papers using NiMn LDHs as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The preparation methods for NiMn LDHs are introduced first. Then, the structural design and chemical modification of NiMn LDH materials, as well as the composites and films derived from NiMn LDHs are discussed. These approaches are proven to be effective to enhance the performance of supercapacitor. Finally, the reports related to NiMn LDH-based asymmetric supercapacitors are summarized. A brief discussion of the future development of NiMn LDHs is also provided.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weifeng Chen ◽  
Shaona Chen ◽  
Weimin Hu ◽  
Dejiang Li ◽  
Zhongxu Dai

Graphene, a two-dimensional sheet of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms packed into a honeycomb lattice, can be combined with various polymers through different methods and techniques. Polymer/graphene nanocomposites are expected to not only preserve the fa-vorable properties of graphene and polymers, but also greatly enhance the intrinsic properties due to the synergetic effect between them. In this review, the preparation approaches of graphene/polymer nanocomposites, including melt blending, solution blending, in-situ polymeri-zation and in-situ synthesis, were presented comprehensively in order to study the relationship between these approaches and the final characteristics and performances. Each approach had different influences on the final properties of the nanocomposites. The advantages and disadvantages of the preparation methods were discussed respectively. Additionally, the application researches of the polymer/graphene nanocomposites as electrochemical sensors, were introduced in detail. With regard to some important or novel sensors, the mechanisms were proposed for reference. Finally, conclusions were given and the issues waiting to be settled for further development were pointed out. The current review demonstrates that polymer/graphene nanocomposites exhibit superior electrochemical performances and will be applied practically in the field of sensor devices.


Author(s):  
TOSHIYUKI ABE ◽  
HIROSHI IMAYA ◽  
TSUKASA YOSHIDA ◽  
SUMIO TOKITA ◽  
DERCK SCHLETTWEIN ◽  
...  

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction was studied by using a graphite electrode coated with cobalt octacyanophthalocyanine ( CoPc ( CN )8) and dipped in an aqueous phase. The most active and selective CO 2 reduction was achieved at −1.20 V (vs Ag / AgCl ) with the ratio of the produced CO / H 2 around 10 at pH 9.3. The electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction by CoPc ( CN )8 could be achieved at a more positive applied potential than non-substituted CoPc ( CoPc ), which can be ascribed to the relatively positive redox potential of CoPc ( CN )8. The catalytic mechanism of the CoPc ( CN )8 in a homogeneous system was investigated by an in situ potential-step chronoamperospectroscopy under argon and under CO 2 as well. In CoPc ( CN )8 the rate-determining step was an intermediate formation step, while in CoPc it was the second reduction of the complex.


Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu ◽  
Wang ◽  
Liu ◽  
Qiao ◽  
Lv ◽  
...  

The conversion of CO2 to valuable substances (methane, methanol, formic acid, etc.) by photocatalytic reduction has important significance for both the sustainable energy supply and clean environment technologies. This review systematically summarized recent progress in this field and pointed out the current challenges of photocatalytic CO2 reduction while using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based materials. Firstly, we described the unique advantages of MOFs based materials for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 and its capacity to solve the existing problems. Subsequently, the latest research progress in photocatalytic CO2 reduction has been documented in detail. The catalytic reaction process, conversion efficiency, as well as the product selectivity of photocatalytic CO2 reduction while using MOFs based materials are thoroughly discussed. Specifically, in this review paper, we provide the catalytic mechanism of CO2 reduction with the aid of electronic structure investigations. Finally, the future development trend and prospect of photocatalytic CO2 reduction are anticipated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Yunhui Bao ◽  
Jian He ◽  
Ke Song ◽  
Jie Guo ◽  
Xianwu Zhou ◽  
...  

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used in several fields including catalysis, bioengineering, photoelectricity, antibacterial, anticancer, and medical imaging due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In the traditional synthesis method of MNPs, toxic chemicals are generally used as reducing agents and stabilizing agents, which is fussy to operate and extremely environment unfriendly. Based on this, the development of an environment-friendly synthesis method of MNPs has recently attracted great attention. The use of plant extracts as reductants and stabilizers to synthesize MNPs has the advantages of low cost, environmental friendliness, sustainability, and ease of operation. Besides, the as-synthesized MNPs are nontoxic, more stable, and more uniform in size than the counterparts prepared by the traditional method. Thus, green preparation methods have become a research hotspot in the field of MNPs synthesis. In this review, recent advances in green synthesis of MNPs using plant extracts as reductants and stabilizers have been systematically summarized. In addition, the insights into the potential applications and future development for MNPs prepared by using plant extracts have been provided.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianwen Liu ◽  
Amin Zhang ◽  
Ruhao Wang ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Daxiang Cui

AbstractSince the ferromagnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were firstly reported to exert enzyme-like activity in 2007, extensive research progress in nanozymes has been made with deep investigation of diverse nanozymes and rapid development of related nanotechnologies. As promising alternatives for natural enzymes, nanozymes have broadened the way toward clinical medicine, food safety, environmental monitoring, and chemical production. The past decade has witnessed the rapid development of metal- and metal oxide-based nanozymes owing to their remarkable physicochemical properties in parallel with low cost, high stability, and easy storage. It is widely known that the deep study of catalytic activities and mechanism sheds significant influence on the applications of nanozymes. This review digs into the characteristics and intrinsic properties of metal- and metal oxide-based nanozymes, especially emphasizing their catalytic mechanism and recent applications in biological analysis, relieving inflammation, antibacterial, and cancer therapy. We also conclude the present challenges and provide insights into the future research of nanozymes constituted of metal and metal oxide nanomaterials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-300
Author(s):  
Zhilei Wei ◽  
Kang Li ◽  
Bangzhi Ge ◽  
Chaowei Guo ◽  
Hongyan Xia ◽  
...  

AbstractSpherical AlN powders with micrometer size have attracted great attention owing to their good fluidity and dispersity. However, the industrial preparation methods usually require high temperature and long soaking time, which lead to the high cost and limit the wide application of the products. Herein, nearly spherical AlN particles with the average size of 2.5 µm were successfully synthesized via an in-situ combustion synthesis method. The effect of N2 pressure, NH4Cl content, and Al particle size on the combustion reaction procedure, phase composition, and microstructure of the products was systematically investigated. The results showed that the decreased N2 pressure, increased NH4Cl content, and Al particle size led to the decreasing of combustion temperature and speed, which further affected the morphology of the products. As a result, low N2 pressure (0.2 MPa), a small amount of NH4Cl (0.5 wt%), and fine Al particles (∼2.5 µm) contributed to a moderate combustion temperature and facilitated the formation of nearly spherical AlN particles. In addition, based on the gas-releasing assisted quenching experiments and thermo-kinetic analysis, a two-step growth mechanism for the nearly spherical AlN particles was rationally proposed. The present method shows the advantages of low cost and high efficiency for preparing nearly spherical AlN particles, which can be used as raw materials for electronic substrates and fillers for packaging materials.


2013 ◽  
Vol 443 ◽  
pp. 639-642
Author(s):  
Ya Li Zhang ◽  
Wei Xia ◽  
Ai Hua Ren

At present there are various kinds of synthetic methods of nanomaterials including physical, chemical and composite method derived from the former two kinds. However, these preparation methods require harsh conditions and produce low yield. Besides, they cause environmental pollution easily. Therefore the microorganism template synthesis is favored highly due to its rich resources, low cost and availability, environmental friendliness and unique configuration and high morphology repeatability. In this thesis E. coli strains are successfully adopted as the template to synthesize nanoselenium material. Such inspection methods as scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and ultraviolet are used for the characterization of samples. It aims to explore a new synthetic green way for nanoselenium material.


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