Recent Advances and Applications of Semiconductor Photocatalytic Technology

Abstract

Along with the development of industry and the improvement of people’s living standards, peoples’ demand on resources has greatly increased, causing energy crises and environmental pollution. In recent years, photocatalytic technology has shown great potential as a low-cost, environmentally-friendly, and sustainable technology, and it has become a hot research topic. However, current photocatalytic technology cannot meet industrial requirements. The biggest challenge in the industrialization of photocatalyst technology is the development of an ideal photocatalyst, which should possess four features, including a high photocatalytic efficiency, a large specific surface area, a full utilization of sunlight, and recyclability. In this review, starting from the photocatalytic reaction mechanism and the preparation of the photocatalyst, we review the classification of current photocatalysts and the methods for improving photocatalytic performance; we also further discuss the potential industrial usage of photocatalytic technology. This review also aims to provide basic and comprehensive information on the industrialization of photocatalysis technology.

First-Principles Calculations of the Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Yttrium-Doped ZnO Monolayer with Vacancy

“…Photo-generated electrons and holes are separated by an electric field and move to the surface of semiconductor particles. The photo-generated pores have strong oxidizing properties and can oxidize substances adsorbed on the surface or solution of the semiconductor [2]. During the photocatalytic process, the hole in the VB diffuses to the photocatalyst surface and oxidises with H 2 O/OHto form hydroxyl radicals (•OH).…”

“…As a potential renewable energy source, solar energy, especially visible light (which accounts for most of the solar energy), is believed to contribute to mitigating these problems through photocatalytic technology (also known as semiconductor-based photocatalytic technology) [1]. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has attracted considerable attention due to its direct conversion of solar energy to easily stored hydrogen, as well as free secondary pollution [2,3]. The basic principle of semiconductor-based photocatalytic technology is the energy band theory of solids.…”

Autocombustion‐Promoted Synthesis of Lanthanum Iron Oxide: Application as Heterogeneous Catalyst for Synthesis of Piperidines, Substituted Amines and Light‐Assisted Degradations

“…As photocatalysis process is based upon the absorption of the radiation by the catalyst, the radiation intensity/energy must be compatible with the band gap energy value of the photocatalyst. [119] The degradation experiment was conducted on 10 ml of 10 ppm aqueous food colorant solution maintained at pH = 2 under visible light, U.V radiation, sonication and refluxing on water bath in order to select the best condition. It was thus deduced that the catalyst is highly active under solar light irradiation achieving the maximum degradation among all ( Figure ES6).…”

Graphene Quantum Dots Doped PVDF(TBT)/PVP(TBT) Fiber Film with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

“…Increasing the specific surface area increases the interaction between the photocatalyst and the RhB solution, improving the photocatalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst. Moreover, the introduction of GQDs can effectively extend the lifetime of photogenerated carriers, thus improving the photocatalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst [12]. On one hand, the dissolution of PVP during the hydrothermal reaction, leads to an increase in the specific surface area of the PVDF(TBT)/PVP(TBT)-GQDs photocatalyst.…”

“…In 1972, Fujishima and Honda first discovered that titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) had photocatalytic properties [1]. TiO 2 photocatalysts have been extensively investigated in the fields of water splitting to produce hydrogen [2][3][4][5][6], organic dye decomposition [7][8][9], sewage purification [10], and air filtration [11] due to its non-toxicity, low cost, high activity, and high efficiency [2][3][4][5]12]. Furthermore, TiO 2 has a relatively broad bandgap, which is about 3.2 eV.…”