Photocatalysis driven by solar energy is a feasible strategy to alleviate energy crises and environmental problems. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing advanced ...photocatalysts for efficient solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion. Single‐atom catalysts have the advantages of highly dispersed active sites, maximum atomic utilization, unique coordination environment, and electronic structure, which have become a research hotspot in heterogeneous photocatalysis. This paper introduces the potential supports, preparation, and characterization methods of single‐atom photocatalysts in detail. Subsequently, the fascinating effects of single‐atom photocatalysts on three critical steps of photocatalysis (the absorption of incident light to produce electron‐hole pairs, carrier separation and migration, and interface reactions) are analyzed. At the same time, the applications of single‐atom photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental protection (CO2 reduction, water splitting, N2 fixation, organic macromolecule reforming, air pollutant removal, and water pollutant degradation) are systematically summarized. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of single‐atom catalysts in heterogeneous photocatalysis are discussed. It is hoped that this work can provide insights into the design, synthesis, and application of single‐atom photocatalysts and promote the development of high‐performance photocatalytic systems.
Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have the maximum atomic utilization, unique coordination environment, and electronic structure, which make them exhibit fascinating performance in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis. This review summarizes the potential support, preparation, and characterization techniques of SACs. Notably, the unique properties of SACs in photocatalytic reaction and its latest research progress in energy conversion and environmental protection are discussed.
Converting CO2 into value‐added products by photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis is a promising method to alleviate the global environmental problems and energy crisis. Among ...the semiconductor materials applied in CO2 catalytic reduction, Cu2O has the advantages of abundant reserves, low price and environmental friendliness. Moreover, Cu2O has unique adsorption and activation properties for CO2, which is conducive to the generation of C2+ products through CC coupling. This review introduces the basic principles of CO2 reduction and summarizes the pathways for the generation of C1, C2, and C2+ products. The factors affecting CO2 reduction performance are further discussed from the perspective of the reaction environment, medium, and novel reactor design. Then, the properties of Cu2O‐based catalysts in CO2 reduction are summarized and several optimization strategies to enhance their stability and redox capacity are discussed. Subsequently, the application of Cu2O‐based catalysts in photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction is described. Finally, the opportunities, challenges and several research directions of Cu2O‐based catalysts in the field of CO2 catalytic reduction are presented, which is guidance for its wide application in the energy and environmental fields is provided.
This review focus on the research progress of Cu2O‐based catalysts applied in photo‐, electro‐, and photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2. The properties of Cu2O‐based catalysts in CO2 reduction and several optimization strategies to enhance its performance are also discussed.
Photocatalytic CO2 conversion into solar fuels is a promising technology to alleviate CO2 emissions and energy crises. The development of core‐shell structured photocatalysts brings many benefits to ...the photocatalytic CO2 reduction process, such as high conversion efficiency, sufficient product selectivity, and endurable catalyst stability. Core‐shell nanostructured materials with excellent physicochemical features take an irreplaceable position in the field of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. In this review, the recent development of core‐shell materials applied for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is introduced. First, the basic principle of photocatalytic CO2 reduction is introduced. In detail, the classification and synthesis techniques of core‐shell catalysts are discussed. Furthermore, it is also emphasized that the excellent properties of the core‐shell structure can greatly improve the activity, selectivity, and stability in the process of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Hopefully, this paper can provide a favorable reference for the preparation of efficient photocatalysts for CO2 reduction.
This review summarizes the recent development of core‐shell materials applied for photocatalytic reduction of CO2, including its catalytic function, adsorption performance, and light responsiveness. The advantages of these materials for photocatalytic CO2 reduction are highlighted.
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are one type of porous organic materials linked by covalent bonds. COFs materials exhibit many outstanding characteristics such as high porosity, high chemical and ...thermal stability, large specific surface area, efficient electron transfer efficiency, and the ability for predesigned structures. These exceptional advantages enable COFs materials to exhibit remarkable performance in photocatalysis. Additionally, the activity of COFs materials as photocatalysts can be significantly upgraded by ion doping and the formation of heterojunctions. This paper summarizes the latest research progress on COF‐based materials applied in photocatalytic systems. Initially, typical structures and preparation methods of COFs are analyzed and compared. Moreover, the essential principles of photocatalytic reactions over COFs‐based materials and the latest research developments in photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, pollutants elimination, organic transformation, and overall water splitting are indicated. At last, the outlook and challenges of COF‐based materials in photocatalysis are discussed. This review is intended to permit instructive guidance for the efficient use of photocatalysis based on COFs in the future.
In this review, typical structures and preparation methods of covalent organic framework (COFs) are introduced. Subsequently, the essential principles of photocatalytic reactions over COFs‐based materials and the latest research developments in photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and pollutant elimination are discussed. Finally, challenges and prospects for COFs‐based materials applied in photocatalysis are proposed.
Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution can effectively alleviate the troublesome global energy crisis by converting solar energy into the chemical energy of hydrogen. In order to realize efficient ...hydrogen generation, a variety of semiconductor materials have been extensively investigated, including TiO2, CdS, g‐C3N4, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), and others. In recent years, to achieve higher photocatalytic performance and reach the level of large‐scale industrial applications, photocatalysts decorated with transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have shone brightly because of their low cost, stable physical and chemical properties, and substitution for precious metals of TMPs. This Review highlights the preparation methods and properties associated with photocatalysis of TMPs. Moreover, the H2 generation efficiency of photocatalysts loaded with TMPs and the roles of TMPs in catalytic systems are also studied systematically. Apart from being co‐catalysts, several TMPs can also serve as host catalysts to boost the activity of photocatalytic composites. Finally, the development prospects and challenges of TMPs are put forward, which is valuable for future researchers to expand the application of TMPs in photocatalytic directions and to develop more active photocatalytic systems.
H2 evolution: This Review highlights the preparation methods and properties of transition metal phosphides (TMPs). Moreover, the hydrogen evolution efficiency of photocatalysts loaded with TMPs and the roles of TMPs in catalytic systems are also studied systematically. In addition, several TMPs can also serve as host catalysts to boost the activity of photocatalytic composites. This work demonstrates the importance of TMPs in the photocatalytic conversion of solar energy into chemical energy.
In recent years, three‐dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials have attracted tremendous interest in the field of photocatalysis due to the periodic spatial structure and unique ...physicochemical properties of 3DOM catalysts. In this review, the fundamentals and principles of 3DOM photocatalysts are briefly introduced, including the overview of 3DOM materials, the photocatalytic principles based on 3DOM materials, and the advantages of 3DOM materials in photocatalysis. The preparation methods of 3DOM materials are also presented. The structure and properties of 3DOM materials and their effects on photocatalytic performance are briefly summarized. More importantly, 3DOM materials, as a supported catalyst, are extensively employed to combine with various common materials, including metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, metal sulfides, and carbon materials, to enhance photocatalytic performance. Finally, the prospects and challenges for the development of 3DOM materials in the field of photocatalysis are presented.
In this review, the structure, properties, and preparation of 3DOM materials are reported. Subsequently, the superiorities of 3DOM materials in photocatalytic application are summarized.
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•The MoP/CN samples exhibit superior activity in CO2 reduction and H2 evolution.•The CO2 adsorption and conversion progress is well revealed in the photoreaction.•The efficient ...co-catalyst MoP facilitates the separation and transfer of charges.
Photoreduction CO2 to hydrocarbons and photosplitting water for H2 production are the most promising, sustainable approaches for environmental pollution alleviation and solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, developing low-cost, high efficient and stable photocatalysts remains a great challenge. Herein, we reported a novel visible-light activated MoP co-catalyst loaded g-C3N4 photocatalyst for CO2 reduction and water splitting under simulated irradiation firstly. Experimental results demonstrated that the composites were highly active and exhibited superior stability. The maximum CO and H2 evolution rates of 0.92 μmol h−1 and 40.38 μmol h−1 were achieved on MoP/CN-15% catalyst, which were 4.5-fold and 74.5-fold higher than the pure g-C3N4, and the corresponding apparent quantum efficiencies (AQE) were 3.5% and 18.3% at 420 nm, respectively. In situ FTIR analysis disclosed the CO2 adsorption and conversion progress, in which the COO− acted as a major intermediate. Furthermore, comprehensive characterization analysis revealed the introduction of MoP facilitated the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, and the theoretical calculation by density functional theory (DFT) also confirmed that MoP could effectively separate the photoexcited charges from g-C3N4. Combining with experimental and DFT calculations results, a new way to design cost-effective photocatalysts has been enlightened.
Photocatalytic degradation technology is regarded as a promising technology for dye-contained wastewater treatment due to its superior efficiency and recycling. The key to the implementation of ...photocatalytic degradation technology is the selection of sunlight-active photocatalyst. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalyst has been put into a lot of research in the field of organic pollutant degradation because of its low cost, suitable electronic structure and high chemical stability. In this perspective review, we comprehensively discuss the recent advance of photocatalytic dyes degradation over g–C3N4–based materials. The properties, structure and preparation methods of g-C3N4 are briefly introduced. Furthermore, the progress in improving the degradation efficiency of g–C3N4–based photocatalyst is highlighted in the article. The possible pathways and different active species for dyes decomposition are also summarized. We expect this review can provide instructive application of g–C3N4–based catalysts for environmental remediation.
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•The development of dyes degradation based on currently developed g–C3N4–based materials is summarized.•The properties, structure and preparation methods of g-C3N4 are briefly introduced.•Different active species and the possible degradation pathways for dyes degradation are discussed.
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•Eu doping could enhance the SO2 resistance of Mn/TiO2 catalyst for SCR reaction.•The addition of Eu on Mn/TiO2 catalyst inhibited the formation of surface sulfate.•The SCR reaction ...(with SO2) over MnEu/TiO2 catalyst took place through L-H pathway.
Mn/TiO2 catalyst is a promising candidate for future utilization in low-temperature NH3-SCR reaction, but its bad resistance to SO2 is still a great challenge for practical application. In this study, Eu was successfully used as the additive to improve its resistance to SO2 under SCR conditions, while the pretreatment of Mn/TiO2 and MnEu/TiO2 catalyst by SO2 + O2 had a strong deactivation effect on them. In situ DRIFT study clarified that the deactivation of Mn/TiO2-S (SCR + SO2), Mn/TiO2-S (SO2 + O2) and MnEu/TiO2-S (SO2+O2) were mainly originated from the inhibited adsorption of NH3 and NOx species, as well as the formation of a large amount surface sulfate species on them, which had a strong blacking effect on the SCR reactions over the three catalysts via both E-R and L-H routes. After the addition of Eu, SCR reaction over MnEu/TiO2 catalyst with the existence of SO2 took place through L-H pathway, accompanied by the generation of less surface sulfate species, which brought about the excellent SO2 tolerance of MnEu/TiO2 catalyst under SCR conditions.
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•The development of dyes degradation using currently developed MoS2-based materials is summarized.•The properties, structure and preparation methods of MoS2 are briefly ...discussed.•Different active species and the possible degradation pathways for dyes degradation are also discussed.
Photocatalysis technology has been considered as the greenest route for degrading and mineralizing organic pollutants due to its high efficiency, economy and environment-friendliness. Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides represented by molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have attracted broad attention because of their large specific surface area and adjustable interlayer spacing. In recent years, it has shown great application potential in the photocatalytic degradation field. In this review, we mainly introduce the development of dyes degradation using currently developed MoS2-based materials. The properties, structure and preparation methods of MoS2 are briefly discussed in this article. What’s more, the progress in improving the degradation efficiency of MoS2-based photocatalysts is also discussed. Moreover, different active species and the possible degradation pathways for dyes degradation are also discussed in this context. The results show that MoS2-based materials have a broad application prospect in photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants.
