Construction of α–β Phase Junction on Bi₄V₂O₁₁ via Electrospinning Retardation Effect and Its Promoted Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

The creation of a phase junction structure in photocatalysts is a wise approach to promote photocatalytic performance, as phase junctions possess the potential to inhibit the recombination of photoinduced charge carriers. Here, Bi4V2O11 nanofibers with an α-β phase junction are fabricated via electrospinning with subsequent calcination. Electrospinning offers the opportunity to keep α-Bi4V2O11 from transforming into β-Bi4V2O11 completely due to an electrospinning retardation effect, leading to the formation of an α-β Bi4V2O11 phase junction. Furthermore, the α-β Bi4V2O11 phase junction realizes a well-established type-II band alignment. Photoelectrochemical measurements and photoluminescence spectroscopic investigations demonstrate that the phase junction structure has a significant impact on the separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes. Thus, the α-β phase junction on Bi4V2O11 holds the key to achieving promoted efficiency in the photocatalysis process.

An Amorphous Noble‐Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst that Enables Nitrogen Fixation under Ambient Conditions

“…Drawing inspiration from recent reports that highlight the importance of oxygen vacancies for N 2 adsorption and activation, bismuth vanadate (Bi 4 V 2 O 11 ), which intrinsically contains oxygen vacancies, has great potential as a candidate catalyst . As oxygen vacancies can trap electrons in the metastable state, electrons may be injected into an antibonding orbital of adsorbed N 2 , which thereby weakens the N≡N triple bond for subsequent activation .…”

An Amorphous Noble‐Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst that Enables Nitrogen Fixation under Ambient Conditions

“…[18,19] Previous reports are limited to noble metals,w hile non-noble metal catalysts are much less studied for electrocatalytic NRR owing to the lack of desired composition and structure. [21,22] As oxygen vacancies can trap electrons in the metastable state,electrons may be injected into an antibonding orbital of adsorbed N 2 ,w hich thereby weakens the N N triple bond for subsequent activation. [21,22] As oxygen vacancies can trap electrons in the metastable state,electrons may be injected into an antibonding orbital of adsorbed N 2 ,w hich thereby weakens the N N triple bond for subsequent activation.…”

Review on heterophase/homophase junctions for efficient photocatalysis: The case of phase transition construction

“…Additionally, the synergistic effects of orientation led to a film arrangement with increased exposure of the rutile (101) facets, while the F impurity of the surface showed improved photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performances. Lv et al [180] fabricated an α-β phase junction in Bi4V2O11 nanofibers based on the electrospinning retardation effect (electrospinning with subsequent calcination), which could transform the α-Bi4V2O11 in β-Bi4V2O11 and construct an α-β Bi4V2O11 phase junction with a well-defined type-II band alignment, as shown in Fig. 13.…”