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Heterogeneous Photocatalysts Based on Nanocomposites

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024 | Viewed by 3310

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jianjun Yang

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Guest Editor

National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Applied Technology of Hybrid Nanomaterials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Interests: photocatalysis; photoelectro-chemistry; nanomaterials

Dr. Bo Weng

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Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 361024 Xiamen, China
Interests: metal nanoparticles; perovskites; photocatalysis; H₂ evolution; selective organic transformations; CO₂ reduction
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Dr. Cong Wang

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Bingtuan Energy Development Institute, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Interests: CO₂ reduction; N₂ fixation; aerogel; graphdiyne; photothermal management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heterogeneous photocatalysts that are based on nanocomposites have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in various fields, such as environmental remediation, solar energy conversion, and water purification. The combination of different nanomaterials can create heterojunctions that enhance the photocatalytic properties of the composite and promote the separation of photoinduced charge carriers.

Nanocomposites-based photocatalysts can be synthesized using different methods, and their properties can be modified by adjusting the synthesis parameters, such as the nanoparticle size, shape, surface area, and composition. One of the main advantages of using photocatalysts is that they offer a green route for environmental pollution remediation. A wide range of pollutants can be effectively degraded by photocatalysts. Overall, heterogeneous photocatalysts based on nanocomposites have numerous benefits, including easy synthesis, tunable characteristics, and excellent photocatalytic performance. They have great potential to be used in various fields for solving environmental and energy-related issues.

This special issue welcomes submissions of original research-based articles and reviews that describe the manufacturing process, analytical description, and applications of photocatalysts based on nanocomposites.

Prof. Dr. Jianjun Yang
Dr. Bo Weng
Dr. Cong Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nanocomposites
photocatalysts
degradation
environmental remediation
solar energy conversion
wastewater treatment
pollution remediation

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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8 pages, 2096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Facile Strategy for the Preparation of N-Doped TiO₂ with Oxygen Vacancy via the Annealing Treatment with Urea

by Zhe Zhang, Zhenpeng Cui, Yinghao Xu, Mohamed Nawfal Ghazzal, Christophe Colbeau-Justin, Duoqiang Pan and Wangsuo Wu

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100818 - 7 May 2024

Viewed by 221

Abstract

Although titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has a wide range of potential applications, the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ is limited by both its limited photoresponse range and fast recombination of the photogenerated charge carriers. In this work, the preparation of nitrogen (N)-doped TiO₂ accompanied by the introduction of oxygen vacancy (Vo) has been achieved via a facile annealing treatment with urea as the N source. During the annealing treatment, the presence of urea not only realizes the N-doping of TiO₂ but also creates Vo in N-doped TiO₂ (N-TiO₂), which is also suitable for commercial TiO₂ (P25). Unexpectedly, the annealing treatment-induced decrease in the specific surface area of N-TiO₂ is inhibited by the N-doping and, thus, more active sites are maintained. Therefore, both the N-doping and formation of Vo as well as the increased active sites contribute to the excellent photocatalytic performance of N-TiO₂ under visible light irradiation. Our work offers a facile strategy for the preparation of N-TiO₂ with Vo via the annealing treatment with urea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heterogeneous Photocatalysts Based on Nanocomposites)

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15 pages, 1601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Aqueous Solutions of Glucose and Xylose over Layered Perovskite-like Oxides HCa₂Nb₃O₁₀, H₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ and Their Inorganic-Organic Derivatives

by Sergei A. Kurnosenko, Vladimir V. Voytovich, Oleg I. Silyukov, Ivan A. Rodionov and Irina A. Zvereva

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2717; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152717 - 7 Aug 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1792

Abstract

Nowadays, the efficient conversion of plant biomass components (alcohols, carbohydrates, etc.) into more energy-intensive fuels, such as hydrogen, is one of the urgent scientific and technological problems. The present study is the first one focused on the photoinduced hydrogen evolution from aqueous D-glucose and D-xylose using layered perovskite-like oxides HCa₂Nb₃O₁₀, H₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀, and their organically modified derivatives that have previously proven themselves as highly active photocatalysts. The photocatalytic performance was investigated for the bare compounds and products of their surface modification with a 1 mass. % Pt cocatalyst. The photocatalytic experiments followed an innovative scheme including dark stages as well as the control of the reaction suspension’s pH and composition. The study has revealed that the inorganic−organic derivatives of the layered perovskite-like oxides can provide efficient conversion of carbohydrates into hydrogen fuel, being up to 8.3 times more active than the unmodified materials and reaching apparent quantum efficiency of 8.8%. Based on new and previously obtained data, it was shown that the oxides’ interlayer space functions as an additional reaction zone in the photocatalytic hydrogen production and the contribution of this zone to the overall activity is dependent on the steric characteristics of the sacrificial agent used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heterogeneous Photocatalysts Based on Nanocomposites)

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Review

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23 pages, 2564 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advancements in Transparent Conductive Oxides for Photoelectrochemical Applications

by He Wen, Bo Weng, Bing Wang, Wenbo Xiao, Xiao Liu, Yiming Wang, Menglong Zhang and Haowei Huang

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070591 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1002

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) are an important technology for converting solar energy, which has experienced rapid development in recent decades. Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are also gaining increasing attention due to their crucial role in PEC reactions. This review comprehensively delves into the significance of TCO materials in PEC devices. Starting from an in-depth analysis of various TCO materials, this review discusses the properties, fabrication techniques, and challenges associated with these TCO materials. Next, we highlight several cost-effective, simple, and environmentally friendly methods, such as element doping, plasma treatment, hot isostatic pressing, and carbon nanotube modification, to enhance the transparency and conductivity of TCO materials. Despite significant progress in the development of TCO materials for PEC applications, we at last point out that the future research should focus on enhancing transparency and conductivity, formulating advanced theories to understand structure–property relationships, and integrating multiple modification strategies to further improve the performance of TCO materials in PEC devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heterogeneous Photocatalysts Based on Nanocomposites)

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