Abstract:Bismuth oxyhalides (BiaObXc X
= Cl, Br, I) are promising layered photocatalysts that can produce
H2 using solar light. The layered crystal structures minimize
electron–hole recombinations in these materials and provide
compositional flexibilities that allow for band gap tuning. Current
literature highlights developments in synthetic routes and improved
performance metrics; however, an analysis of the sustainability of
these compounds is missing. In this Perspective, we use the life cycle
assessment framework a… Show more
“…Motivated by the pressing challenges posed by global energy and environmental crises, there has been a great deal of attention given to the pursuit of durable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective renewable energy . Among the potential candidates for carbon-free energy, hydrogen (H 2 ) is considered as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, which also meets the requirement of sustainable development, owing to its inherent benefits of high energy density, low cost, and ubiquity . Currently, various renewable energy resources, such as solar, electrical, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical energy, are being used to advance H 2 production strategies. − While these innovative achievements have contributed significantly to promoting H 2 evolution efficiency, there remain several challenges for improving catalytic efficiency and cost-effectiveness in this research area.…”
Hydrogen (H2) production through water splitting
using
sustainable energy sources is gaining increasing attention. However,
limited catalytic performance based on a single driving force presents
both opportunities and challenges for achieving a high-efficiency
H2 output. Exploring multiple driving sources to enhance
the comprehensive catalytic performance shows great promise. BiFeO3 (BFO), with features of narrow band gap and ultrahigh ferroelectric
polarizations, is considered as a promising alternative candidate
for green H2 production from water splitting. However,
the inherent overpositive conduction band edge restricts its applications.
Therefore, a strategy involving band engineering through heteroatom
Co-doping (Co
x
-BFO) has been proposed
to boost piezo-photocatalytic H2 evolution performance.
Based on the synergetic effects of the polarization field induced
by piezoelectric Co1.8-BFO, suppressed recombination of
charge carriers, prolonged charge carrier lifetime, modulated band
alignment, and lowered energy barrier for surface H2O adsorption/activation/reduction,
the Co1.8-BFO nanosheets exhibit significant piezo-photocatalytic
activities with an enhanced H2 generation rate (321.9 μmol·g–1·h–1). That rate is much higher
than those of piezocatalytic (127 μmol·g–1·h–1) and photocatalytic (163 μmol·g–1·h–1) performances alone. This
work provides an effective approach to advancing the BFO water splitting
performance through band engineering.
“…Motivated by the pressing challenges posed by global energy and environmental crises, there has been a great deal of attention given to the pursuit of durable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective renewable energy . Among the potential candidates for carbon-free energy, hydrogen (H 2 ) is considered as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, which also meets the requirement of sustainable development, owing to its inherent benefits of high energy density, low cost, and ubiquity . Currently, various renewable energy resources, such as solar, electrical, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical energy, are being used to advance H 2 production strategies. − While these innovative achievements have contributed significantly to promoting H 2 evolution efficiency, there remain several challenges for improving catalytic efficiency and cost-effectiveness in this research area.…”
Hydrogen (H2) production through water splitting
using
sustainable energy sources is gaining increasing attention. However,
limited catalytic performance based on a single driving force presents
both opportunities and challenges for achieving a high-efficiency
H2 output. Exploring multiple driving sources to enhance
the comprehensive catalytic performance shows great promise. BiFeO3 (BFO), with features of narrow band gap and ultrahigh ferroelectric
polarizations, is considered as a promising alternative candidate
for green H2 production from water splitting. However,
the inherent overpositive conduction band edge restricts its applications.
Therefore, a strategy involving band engineering through heteroatom
Co-doping (Co
x
-BFO) has been proposed
to boost piezo-photocatalytic H2 evolution performance.
Based on the synergetic effects of the polarization field induced
by piezoelectric Co1.8-BFO, suppressed recombination of
charge carriers, prolonged charge carrier lifetime, modulated band
alignment, and lowered energy barrier for surface H2O adsorption/activation/reduction,
the Co1.8-BFO nanosheets exhibit significant piezo-photocatalytic
activities with an enhanced H2 generation rate (321.9 μmol·g–1·h–1). That rate is much higher
than those of piezocatalytic (127 μmol·g–1·h–1) and photocatalytic (163 μmol·g–1·h–1) performances alone. This
work provides an effective approach to advancing the BFO water splitting
performance through band engineering.
“…However, metal oxides have wide band gaps, resulting in poor absorption of visible light . In contrast, mixed anion materials such as metal oxynitrides, oxysulfides, and oxyhalides , that contain d 0 or d 10 metal cations often have suitable band alignments for photocatalysis and appreciable visible-light absorption . Despite these advantages, these mixed anion materials often lack photostability .…”
Mixed metal oxyhalides are an exciting class of photocatalysts, capable of the sustainable generation of fuels and remediation of pollutants with solar energy. Bismuth oxyhalides of the types Bi 4 MO 8 X (M = Nb and Ta; X = Cl and Br) and Bi 2 AO 4 X (A = most lanthanides; X = Cl, Br, and I) have an electronic structure that imparts photostability, as their valence band maxima (VBM) are composed of O 2p orbitals rather than X np orbitals that typify many other bismuth oxyhalides. Here, flux-based synthesis of intergrowth Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl−Bi 2 GdO 4 Cl is reported, testing the hypothesis that both intergrowth stoichiometry and M identity serve as levers toward tunable optoelectronic properties. X-ray scattering and atomically resolved electron microscopy verify intergrowth formation. Facile manipulation of the Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl-to-Bi 2 GdO 4 Cl ratio is achieved with the specific ratio influencing both the crystal and electronic structures of the intergrowths. This compositional flexibility and crystal structure engineering can be leveraged for photocatalytic applications, with comparisons to the previously reported Bi 4 TaO 8 Cl−Bi 2 GdO 4 Cl intergrowth revealing how subtle structural and compositional features can impact photocatalytic materials.
“…Among the current strategies, semiconductor photocatalysis is considered a promising and sustainable solution because it uses limitless solar light as the input energy source and does not require harsh temperature and pressure conditions. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In addition, in photocatalytic NO removal, simultaneous toxic NO 2 conversion and green product (NO 3 − ) selectivity are also worth considering along with the NO removal efficiency. 11,12 Hence, it is vital to nd a promising catalyst system that can meet these requirements.…”
The treatment or conversion of air pollutants with the low generation of secondary toxic substances becomes the hot spot in indoor air pollution abatement. Herein, we utilized triangle-shaped Ag coupled...
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