Synergistic behavior between the plasmonic Ag metal and the mesoporous β-Bi2O3/SiO2 heterostructure for the photocatalytic destruction of bacterial cells under simulated sunlight illumination: Schottky junction electron-transfer pathway

Optimizing the electronic configuration of h-BN for boosting the photocatalytic transformation of acid gases under visible light

“…Photocatalysis is an emerging technology that has been extensively researched because of its use of cheap and non-polluting solar energy as a driving force. [8][9][10][11][12][13] In particular, photocatalysis has shown great potential in treating low concentrations of gaseous pollutants in the environment, which generally accomplishes the purication of gaseous pollutants by photolysis or mineralization. [14][15][16] The top priority in developing efficient photocatalytic schemes is the development of low-cost, highly stable and active catalysts.…”

Ag/AgX (X = Cl, Br, or I) Nanocomposite Loaded on Ag3PO4 Tetrapods as a Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Contaminants

“…7 In addition, the diversity of Fermi energy level will generate an internal electric field (IEF) at the touch interface, inducing the band edge of the semiconductor to bend upward, resulting in the Schottky barrier. 8 Therefore, the electron enriched on the surface of Ag nanoparticles can work with O 2 and create • O 2 − . Bu et al 9 prepared the Z-scheme Ag 3 PO 4 /Ag/ WO 3−x photocatalyst through an in situ deposition method.…”

“…When Ag nanoparticles are combined with narrow band gap semiconductor photocatalysts (such as Bi 2 O 3 , Ag 3 PO 4 , and Fe 2 O 3 ), Ag nanoparticles can act as electron receptors to acquire substantial electrons, and photogenerated electrons will reach the Ag nanoparticles from the CB of the photocatalysts following the Schottky junction mechanism . In addition, the diversity of Fermi energy level will generate an internal electric field (IEF) at the touch interface, inducing the band edge of the semiconductor to bend upward, resulting in the Schottky barrier . Therefore, the electron enriched on the surface of Ag nanoparticles can work with O 2 and create • O 2 – .…”

Non-noble-metal TiC-nanoparticle-promoted charge separation and photocatalytic degradation performance on Bi2O3 microrods: degradation pathway and mechanism investigation

“…27 After the combination of the two materials, a Schottky barrier eventually forms between the cocatalyst and semiconductor and a built-in electric field is generated at the heterojunction, 28 which accelerates the separation of photoexcited charges and thus improves the photocatalytic performance. 29 However, the widespread use of some modification strategies (such as noble metals or graphene decoration) is limited because of their high cost. 30 As a result, the development of efficient cocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements is necessary.…”