Efficient charge separation of Ag2CO3/ZnO composites prepared by a facile precipitation approach and its dependence on loading content of Ag2CO3

Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of Dumbbell Ag2CO3–ZnO Heterojunctions

“…Under an excitation energy larger than the band gap of ZnO, the electrons on the valence band (VB) of ZnO are transferred to the conduction band (CB) to produce the electron–hole pairs; the photogenerated electrons of ZnO CB can react with O 2 to form a superoxide radical (O 2 – ). Since the CB of Ag 2 CO 3 is lower than the standard oxidation–reduction potential of O 2 /·O 2 – , photogenerated electrons on the conduction band of Ag 2 CO 3 cannot reduce O 2 to ·O 2 – ; thus, the photogenerated electrons on the CB of Ag 2 CO 3 will be transferred to the VB of ZnO to recombine with the holes of ZnO. , In addition, since the VB of Ag 2 CO 3 is more negative than the VB of ZnO, the photogenerated holes on the VB of zinc oxide are transferred to the VB of Ag 2 CO 3 ; the photogenerated holes in the Ag 2 CO 3 VB could oxidize H 2 O to produce hydroxyl radicals (·OH). As is known to all, ·O 2 – , ·OH, and photogenerated cavities (h + ) are the main active substances in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. − …”

“…The ; thus, the photogenerated electrons on the CB of Ag 2 CO 3 will be transferred to the VB of ZnO to recombine with the holes of ZnO. 39,40 In addition, since the VB of Ag 2 CO 3 is more negative than the VB of ZnO, the photogenerated holes on the VB of zinc oxide are transferred to the VB of Ag 2 CO 3 ; the photogenerated holes in the Ag 2 CO 3 VB could oxidize H 2 O to produce hydroxyl radicals (•OH). As is known to all, •O 2 − , •OH, and photogenerated cavities (h + ) are the main active substances in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.…”

Surface Modification of Rutile TiO2 with Alkaline-Earth Oxide Nanoclusters for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution

“…Such an effect has been observed in other studies of surface-modification schemes, where increased loadings of the modifier have a detrimental effect on the activity. 48,52,53 This suggests a bifunctionality, where sites of both the surface and modifier play a role in the catalytic activity and a key role for nanostructured MgO supported on TiO 2 .…”

Facile preparation of BiOI/T-ZnOw p–n heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced removal efficiency for rhodamine B and oxytetracycline

“…11 The tetrapod-like ZnO whiskers (T-ZnOw) are the only whiskers in the whisker family with a three-dimensional structure, which have high temperature resistance, semiconducting properties, and excellent mechanical properties, making them special for applications in functional materials. 12 To improve the photocatalytic activity of ZnO under visible light conditions, several modification techniques have been developed to expand the absorption wavelength from the ultraviolet region to the visible region, including dye-sensitization, construction of heterojunctions with other semiconductors, 13–20 and doping. 21–23 Among them, heterostructure engineering is considered as an effective strategy to construct high performance visible-light-responsive photocatalysts.…”