Surface Chemistry and Nano-/Microstructure Engineering on Photocatalytic In₂S₃ Nanocrystals

Abstract

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) compete with molecular catalysts in the field of homogenous catalysis, offering easier recyclability and a number of potentially advantageous functionalities, such as tunable band gaps, plasmonic properties, or a magnetic moment. Using high-throughput printing technologies, colloidal NCs can also be supported onto substrates to produce cost-effective electronic, optoelectronic, electrocatalytic, and sensing devices. For both catalytic and technological application, NC surface chemistry and supracrystal organization are key parameters determining final performance. Here, we study the influence of the surface ligands and the NC organization on the catalytic properties of InS, both as a colloid and as a supported layer. As a colloid, NCs stabilized by inorganic ligands show the highest photocatalytic activities, which we associate with their large and more accessible surfaces. On the other hand, when NCs are supported on a substrate, their organization becomes an essential parameter determining performance. For instance, NC-based films produced through a gelation process provided five-fold higher photocurrent densities than those obtained from dense films produced by the direct printing of NCs.

The Importance of the Macroscopic Geometry in Gas‐Phase Photocatalysis

“…[11][12][13] At the same time, the examples in which such aerogel monoliths are used directly in photocatalysis without further processing are very rare. Typically, the monoliths are immersed in the reaction solution in which photocatalysis takes place and where they then break down into smaller fragments, or [45] Y 2 O 3 (Copyright 2016, American Chemical Society), [46] BaTiO 3 (Copyright 2014, Wiley-VCH), [47] TiO 2 (Copyright 2020, Elsevier), [31] Cu 3 N (Copyright 2016, Royal Society of Chemistry), [48] CdS (Copyright 2005, American Association for the Advancement of Science), [39] Ni 2 P (Copyright 2014, American Chemical Society), [49] In 2 S 3 (Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society), [50] Pd, Pt, Ag, Au (Copyright 2019, American Association for the Advancement of Science), [51] SrTiO 3 (Copyright 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry), [52] TiO 2 -Fe 3 O 4 (Copyright 2014, Royal Society of Chemistry), [53] TiO 2 -Au (Copyright 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry), [54] TiO 2 -Au-WO 3 (Copyright 2014, American Chemical Society), [55] W 18 O 49 (Copyright 2016, Royal Society of Chemistry). [56] they are processed into a slurry and deposited as thin films on a (conductive) substrate.…”

“…b) Examples of single‐ and multi‐component nanoparticle‐based aerogels obtained by gelation of metal, metal oxide, metal nitride, metal phosphide, and metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. Reproduced with permission: SnO 2 :Sb (Copyright 2014, Royal Society of Chemistry), [ 45 ] Y 2 O 3 (Copyright 2016, American Chemical Society), [ 46 ] BaTiO 3 (Copyright 2014, Wiley‐VCH), [ 47 ] TiO 2 (Copyright 2020, Elsevier), [ 31 ] Cu 3 N (Copyright 2016, Royal Society of Chemistry), [ 48 ] CdS (Copyright 2005, American Association for the Advancement of Science), [ 39 ] Ni 2 P (Copyright 2014, American Chemical Society), [ 49 ] In 2 S 3 (Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society), [ 50 ] Pd, Pt, Ag, Au (Copyright 2019, American Association for the Advancement of Science), [ 51 ] SrTiO 3 (Copyright 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry), [ 52 ] TiO 2 ‐Fe 3 O 4 (Copyright 2014, Royal Society of Chemistry), [ 53 ] TiO 2 ‐Au (Copyright 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry), [ 54 ] TiO 2 ‐Au‐WO 3 (Copyright 2014, American Chemical Society), [ 55 ] W 18 O 49 (Copyright 2016, Royal Society of Chemistry). [ 56 ]…”

Influence of Electrolyte on the Electrode/Electrolyte Interface Formation on InSb Electrode in Mg-Ion Batteries

“…To support this hypothesis, deeper study about interfacial chemistry of the InSb is required. After prolonged cycling (C30 sample), InCl 3 is observed as a new specie in the surface layer [ 61 , 62 ]. Its formation may be the consequence of EtMgCl decomposition, that may further react with InSb or In metal via Cl − transfer, as suggested in earlier reports on alloys [ 63 , 64 ].…”

Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots Integrated with Cadmium Sulfide Nanorods for Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction

“…Interestingly, the S 2p spectrum exhibited two doublets signals (Figure d). The first doublet, S 2p 3/2 (162.7 eV) and S 2p 1/2 (163.9 eV), was assigned to sulfur (S 2− ) on the surface exposed to the more electronegative environment near InP, whereas the second component with S 2p spin‐orbit splitting of ∼1.2 eV (S 2p 3/2 binding energy=161.3 eV) corresponded to S 2− in the CdS lattice . The In 3d 5/2 and In 3d 3/2 peaks appeared at 444.7 eV and 452.3 eV, respectively (Figure e).…”