Dual Functions of CO₂ Molecular Activation and 4f Levels as Electron Transport Bridge in Dysprosium Single Atom Composite Photocatalysts with Enhanced Visible‐Light Photoactivities

Abstract

Environmental and energy issues are the two main challenges that hinder the sustainable development of human society. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Solar energy has attracted urgent attention due to

Single-atom catalysts for photocatalytic energy conversion

“…44,[71][72][73] CO 2 reduction,45,62,[74][75][76] N 2 reduction,63,77,78 C-O coupling,65 pollutant degradation, 79,80 CH 4 conversion,68 H 2 O 2 production,69 as well as photocatalytic sensing 70,81,82. …”

Gadolinium Changes the Local Electron Densities of Nickel 3d Orbitals for Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

“…The large atomic radius of Gd results in quite a small number of Gd atoms being loaded into CB. [18] On the contrary, the graphite stripes disappear and the new Ni (111) crystal planes emerge in CBNNiGd-700 and CBNNi-700, implying that Ni with the relatively small atomic radius is readily incorporated into the graphite lattices of CB, which can generate defect sites. [23] As revealed by the elemental mapping images, Ni atoms agglomerate into nanoparticles encapsulated in the carbon matrixes of CBNNiGd-700 and CBNNi-700, [11] while the relatively uniform dispersion of Gd atoms is accomplished within CBNNiGd-700 and CBNGd-700.…”

“…[17] Recent reports have demonstrated that LMs can be loaded onto various supports and employed in a variety of catalytic reactions. [18,19] LMs with the comparatively large ion radii are able to induce lattice distortion and deformation stress of supports, conducive to the formation of defect sites. [19] In the meantime, the strong lanthanide contraction effect of LM atoms can change the local electron densities of the surrounding atoms and optimize the electronic states of the supports, in favor of the elevation of adsorption capabilities of catalyst surfaces and thereby the strengthening of catalytic performance.…”

Europium single atom based heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light catalytic activity

“…As another excellent catalyst material, CdS has been widely used in hydrogen production from water splitting and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. [29][30][31][32][33] CdS has high visible light response and carrier transport ability. More importantly, the suitable band gap (2.4 eV) of CdS can be well matched with that of InVO 4 ; so it is possible to form a Type-II heterostructure.…”