The recent thrust in utilizing atomically precise organic ligands protected gold clusters (Au clusters) as photosensitizer coupled with semiconductors for nano-catalysts has led to the claims of improved efficiency in photocatalysis. Nonetheless, the influence of photo-stability of organic ligands protected-Au clusters at the Au/semiconductor interface on the photocatalytic properties remains rather elusive. Taking Au clusters–TiO2 composites as a prototype, we for the first time demonstrate the photo-induced transformation of small molecular-like Au clusters to larger metallic Au nanoparticles under different illumination conditions, which leads to the diverse photocatalytic reaction mechanism. This transformation process undergoes a diffusion/aggregation mechanism accompanied with the onslaught of Au clusters by active oxygen species and holes resulting from photo-excited TiO2 and Au clusters. However, such Au clusters aggregation can be efficiently inhibited by tuning reaction conditions. This work would trigger rational structural design and fine condition control of organic ligands protected-metal clusters-semiconductor composites for diverse photocatalytic applications with long-term photo-stability.
Photocatalysis is a promising and convenient strategy to convert solar energy into chemical energy for various fields. However, photocatalysis still suffers from low solar energy conversion efficiency. Developing state of the art photocatalysts with high efficiency and low cost is a huge challenge. Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) as a class of metallic interstitial compounds have attracted significant attention in photocatalytic applications. In fact, TMNs exhibit multifunctional properties in various photocatalytic systems. This review is the first attempt that summarizes recent research on TMNs‐based materials in various photocatalytic applications. Different roles of TMNs materials in photocatalytic systems including semiconductor active components, co‐catalysts, inter‐band excitation, and surface plasmon resonance components are systematically discussed and summarized. The fundamentals, latest progress, and emerging opportunities for further improving the performances of TMNs‐based materials for photocatalysis are also discussed. Finally, some challenges facing TMNs, and perspectives on their future that are relevant for furthering research in the area of photocatalysis are also proposed.
As a consequence of rapid industrialization throughout the world, various environmental pollutants have begun to accumulate in water, air, and soil. This endangers the ecological environment of the earth, and environmental remediation has become an immediate priority. Among various environmental remediation techniques, piezocatalytic techniques, which uniquely take advantage of the piezoelectric effect, have attracted much attention. Piezoelectric effects allow pollutant degradation directly, while also enhancing photocatalysis by reducing the recombination of photogenerated carriers. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent developments in piezocatalytic techniques for environmental remediation. The origin of the piezoelectric effect as well as classification of piezoelectric materials and their application in environmental remediation are systematically summarized. We also analyze the potential underlying mechanisms. Finally, urgent problems and the future development of piezocatalytic techniques are discussed.
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