Functionalized nanostructures for enhanced photocatalytic performance under solar light

Abstract

SummaryPhotocatalytic hydrogen production from water has been considered to be one of the most promising solar-to-hydrogen conversion technologies. In the last decade, various functionalized nanostructures were designed to address the primary requirements for an efficient photocatalytic generation of hydrogen by using solar energy: visible-light activity, chemical stability, appropriate band-edge characteristics, and potential for low-cost fabrication. Our aim is to present a short review of our recent attempts that center on the above requirements. We begin with a brief introduction of photocatalysts coupling two or more semiconductors, followed by a further discussion of the heterostructures with improved matching of both band structures and crystal lattices. We then elaborate on the heterostructure design of the targeted materials from macroscopic regulation of compositions and phases, to the more precise control at the nanoscale, i.e., materials with the same compositions but different phases with certain band alignment. We conclude this review with perspectives on nanostructure design that might direct future research of this technology.

Palladium nanoparticles anchored to anatase TiO2 for enhanced surface plasmon resonance-stimulated, visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

“…Numerous modifications have been reported by researchers to overcome the drawbacks of TiO 2 . This includes doping with either metallic/non-metallic species [ 13 – 16 ], forming heterostructures [ 17 – 18 ], and fine-tuning the morphology [ 19 – 22 ]. Alternatively, the coupling of semiconductor photocatalysts with noble metals (Au, Ag, Pd, Pt) turns out to be the most promising strategy to defeat the limitations of TiO 2 .…”

Reduced graphene oxide and Ag wrapped TiO2 photocatalyst for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

“…10,11 Many researchers had attempted to overcome these limitations through doping with metals and non-metals, hetero-structures, noble metal, etc. [12][13][14][15][16] Considering noble metal as a potential impurity turned out to be an alternative approach for reconstructing the weaknesses of TiO 2 . 17,18 Further to improve the optical absorption and enhancing the charge carrier transport, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was used in the hybrids thus narrows the bandgap and minimize the electron-hole recombination rate.…”

A Novel Thermochemical Method for Fabrication and Theoretical Explanation of High Luminescent Mn-Doped CdS Nanoparticles

“…The structure of the TGA molecule is shown in Figure 11. The energy band diagram for CdS nanoparticles was utilized in order to understand the effect of TGA on the nanoparticles' growing process [33]. As shown in Figure 12, the cadmium surface ions produce some states in the bandgap just below the conduction band also called electron traps, and the sulfur surface ions produce some states in the bandgap just above the valance band called hole traps.…”