Transition Metal Chalcogenides Quantum Dots: Emerging Building Blocks toward Solar-to-Hydrogen Conversion

Abstract

Transition metal chalcogenides quantum dots (TMCs QDs) nanocrystals are featured by large absorption coefficient, abundant active sites, and quantum confinement effect, rendering them emerging light-harvesting antennas for solar energy conversion. Although diverse TMCs QDs-based photosystems have been explored for multifarious photoredox catalysis, an elaborate and comprehensive summary on TMCs QDs-based solar-to-hydrogen conversion has been rarely reviewed. In this Review, we elucidate the fundamental physicochemical properties of TMCs QDs (e.g., CdS QDs, CdSe QDs, CdTe QDs, etc.) currently being extensively investigated along with synthesis methodologies. Modification strategies for boosting photocatalytic water splitting performances of TMCs QDs, such as cocatalyst loading, heterojunction engineering, element doping, and plasmonic metal photosensitization, are then specifically introduced. Besides, we present detailed information on the latest advances on the photocatalytic hydrogen generation involving sacrificial reagents, Z-scheme photosystems, one-step excitation photosystems for overall water splitting, and photosensitizers endowed by molecular catalysts, metal–organic frameworks, or conjugated polymers. Finally, future outlook and challenge on the development of TMCs QDs-dominated photocatalysis are highlighted. It is anticipated that our Review would inspire ongoing interest in unleashing the great potential of TMCs QDs nanocrystals for solar energy conversion.

Sunlight light-driven degradation of anthracene and naphthalene on robust Cu2+doped ZnO nanoparticles from simulated rainwater: optimization factors, kinetics, and reusability

“…Transition metal ion-doped semiconductor nanoparticles have proven to be good photocatalysts and have enhanced quantum efficiency compared to bulk forms. 20 Various nanomaterials such as Fe 2 O 3 @ MIL-101, ZnO, CoFe 2 O 4 − x , Ag and Cu, CeVO 4 , CdSe@TiO 2 , and many more which are listed in Table 2 are employed for the removal of NAP and ANT. 21–26 Extensive studies have been reported, in particular, on the catalytic properties of transition metal ion-doped semiconductor nanoparticles.…”

Inorganic–Organic Dual-Ligand-Regulated Photocatalysis of CdS@ZnxCd1–xS@ZnS Quantum Dots for Lignin Valorization

“…Quantum dots (QDs) possess multiple outstanding characteristics, including high photostability, large extinction coefficient, tunable band gap, and controllable surface chemistry. − These properties make QDs excellent photocatalysts for photocatalytic lignin valorization. In addition to the traditional single binary structure, researchers have explored various types of QDs, such as doped, alloyed, and core/shell structures .…”

Synthesis and Modulation of Low-Dimensional Transition Metal Chalcogenide Materials via Atomic Substitution

“…The diversity in types, structures, and properties of transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) has led to their wide application prospects in devices, energy, and catalysis [1][2][3]. Especially those with reduced dimensions, including zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) structures, have attracted significant attention due to their unique properties differing from their bulk counterparts [4][5][6][7][8][9]. To realize the applications of low-dimensional TMC materials in various scientific and technological fields, it is essential for these materials to exhibit well-defined optical, electronic, magnetic, and catalytic properties.…”