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Catalysts
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Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions
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Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 11517

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Huimin Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Liaoning University of Technology, Jinzhou 121001, China
Interests: photocatalysis; CO2 conversion; energy transformation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the applications of photocatalysis in a series of energy transformation reactions, including the decontamination of wastewater, hydrogen production via water splitting, photo reduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon, fine chemical synthesis and other energy transformation reactions. It discusses the fundamental aspects of all applications as well as their proper mechanisms, thus providing essential information for deep research in the area of clean environment and green energy production.

Prof. Dr. Huimin Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photocatalysis
  • CO2 conversion
  • CO2 utilization
  • water splitting
  • dye degradation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2222 KiB  
Communication
Enhanced CO2 Photoreduction over Bi2Te3/TiO2 Nanocomposite via a Seebeck Effect
by Yiming Lei, Zewei Jia, Huilin Hu, Lequan Liu, Jinhua Ye and Defa Wang
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111323 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1544
Abstract
The activation of carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules and separation/transfer of photoinduced charge carriers are two crucial factors influencing the efficiency of CO2 photoreduction. Herein, we report a p-type Bi2Te3/commercial TiO2 (pBT/P25) nanocomposite for enhanced CO [...] Read more.
The activation of carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules and separation/transfer of photoinduced charge carriers are two crucial factors influencing the efficiency of CO2 photoreduction. Herein, we report a p-type Bi2Te3/commercial TiO2 (pBT/P25) nanocomposite for enhanced CO2 photoreduction. Upon light irradiation, a temperature gradient formed in pBT induces the Seebeck effect to build a thermoelectric field, which promotes the charge carriers’ separation/transfer. Additionally, pBT with a strong light absorption capacity generates the photothermal effect favoring the activation of CO2 molecules. In addition, the excellent electric conductivity and large work function render pBT an efficient cocatalyst for further improving the charge carriers’ separation/transfer. Owing to the synergistic enhancement effect of pBT on the activation of CO2 molecules and promotion of charge separation/transfer, we achieved the highest CO evolution rate over pBT(2)/P25 of 19.2 μmol·gcat−1·h−1, which was approximately 5.5 times that of bare P25. This work suggests that a thermoelectric material/semiconductor nanocomposite could be developed as an efficient photo-thermo-electro-chemical conversion system for enhanced CO2 reduction via promoting the charge carriers’ separation/transfer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions)
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11 pages, 3284 KiB  
Article
Construction of SrTiO3–LaCrO3 Solid Solutions with Consecutive Band Structures for Photocatalytic H2 Evolution under Visible Light Irradiation
by Xiangjiu Guan, Shichao Zong, Li Tian, Yazhou Zhang and Jinwen Shi
Catalysts 2022, 12(10), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12101123 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1557
Abstract
SrTiO3–LaCrO3 continuous solid solutions with LaCrO3 content ranging from 0.00 to 1.00 were prepared via a polymerized complex method. The light absorption ability of SrTiO3 was improved by the consecutive tuning of the bandgap upon the introduction of [...] Read more.
SrTiO3–LaCrO3 continuous solid solutions with LaCrO3 content ranging from 0.00 to 1.00 were prepared via a polymerized complex method. The light absorption ability of SrTiO3 was improved by the consecutive tuning of the bandgap upon the introduction of LaCrO3 (up to 570 nm). The solid solutions exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities for H2 evolution under visible light irradiation, with an optimized H2 evolution rate of 1368 μmol h−1 g−1 obtained when LaCrO3 content was 0.10 (with 1 wt% Pt as cocatalyst), corresponding to an apparent quantum yield of 3.68% at 400 nm. Supported by comprehensive characterization, the improved photocatalytic performance was attributed to the simultaneously adjusted conduction band and valance band originating from the hybridization of Cr 3d, Ti 3d and O 2p orbitals, as well as the accelerated separation and migration of photogenerated charge carriers derived from the distortion of TiO6 octahedra. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions)
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12 pages, 2791 KiB  
Article
Furfural Influences Hydrogen Evolution and Energy Conversion in Photo-Fermentation by Rhodobacter capsulatus
by Wen Cao, Xuan Wei, Youmin Jiang, Jiali Feng, Zixuan Gao and Canfang Tang
Catalysts 2022, 12(9), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12090979 - 31 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1311
Abstract
Furfural, as a typical byproduct produced during the hydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass, is harmful to the photo fermentation hydrogen production. In this work, the effects of furfural on the photo fermentation hydrogen production by Rhodobacter capsulatus using glucose as substrate were investigated. The [...] Read more.
Furfural, as a typical byproduct produced during the hydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass, is harmful to the photo fermentation hydrogen production. In this work, the effects of furfural on the photo fermentation hydrogen production by Rhodobacter capsulatus using glucose as substrate were investigated. The characteristics of cell growth, hydrogen production, and fermentation end-products with the addition of different concentrations of furfural (0–20 mM) were studied. The results showed that furfural negatively affected the maximum hydrogen production rate and total hydrogen yield. The maximum hydrogen yield of 2.59 ± 0.13 mol-H2/mol-glucose was obtained without furfural. However, 5 mM furfural showed a 40% increase in cell concentration. Furfural in high concentrations can favor the overproduction and accumulation of inhibitive end-products. Further analysis of energy conversion efficiency showed that most of the energy in the substrate was underused and unconverted when the furfural concentration was high. The maximum glucose consumption (93%) was achieved without furfural, while it dramatically declined to 7% with 20 mM furfural addition. The index of half-maximal inhibitory concentration was calculated as 13.40 mM. Moreover, the possible metabolic pathway of furfural and glucose was discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions)
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Review

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17 pages, 3081 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of Tungsten Oxide-Based Catalysts in Photocatalytic Reactions
by Zenan Ni, Qiuwen Wang, Yuxin Guo, Huimin Liu and Qijian Zhang
Catalysts 2023, 13(3), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030579 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1753
Abstract
Photocatalysis technology is a potential solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution and energy shortage, but its wide application is limited by the low efficiency of solar energy conversion. As a non-toxic and inexpensive n-type semiconductor, WO3 can absorb approximately 12% [...] Read more.
Photocatalysis technology is a potential solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution and energy shortage, but its wide application is limited by the low efficiency of solar energy conversion. As a non-toxic and inexpensive n-type semiconductor, WO3 can absorb approximately 12% of sunlight which is considered one of the most attractive photocatalytic candidates. However, the narrow light absorption range and the high recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes restrict the further development of WO3-based catalysts. Herein, the studies on preparation and modification methods such as doping element, regulating defects and constructing heterojunctions to enlarge the range of excitation light to the visible region and slow down the recombination of carriers on WO3-based catalysts so as to improve their photocatalytic performance are reviewed. The mechanism and application of WO3-based catalysts in the dissociation of water, the degradation of organic pollutants, as well as the hydrogen reduction of N2 and CO2 are emphatically investigated and discussed. It is clear that WO3-based catalysts will play a positive role in the field of future photocatalysis. This paper could also provide guidance for the rational design of other metallic oxide (MOx) catalysts for the increasing conversion efficiency of solar energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions)
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19 pages, 3939 KiB  
Review
Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion to Ethanol: A Concise Review
by Dezheng Li, Chunnan Hao, Huimin Liu, Ruiqi Zhang, Yuqiao Li, Jiawen Guo, Clesio Calebe Vilancuo and Jiapeng Guo
Catalysts 2022, 12(12), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12121549 - 01 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2531
Abstract
Photo-catalytically converting the greenhouse gas CO2 into ethanol is an important avenue for the mitigation of climate issues and the utilization of renewable energies. Catalysts play critical roles in the reaction of photocatalytic CO2 conversion to ethanol, and a number of [...] Read more.
Photo-catalytically converting the greenhouse gas CO2 into ethanol is an important avenue for the mitigation of climate issues and the utilization of renewable energies. Catalysts play critical roles in the reaction of photocatalytic CO2 conversion to ethanol, and a number of catalysts have been investigated, including semiconductors and plasmonic metal-based catalysts, as well as several other catalysts. In this review, the progress in the development of each category of catalysts is summarized, the current status is reviewed, the remaining challenges are pointed out, and the future research directions are prospected, with the aim being to pave pathways for the rational design of better catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions)
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18 pages, 2232 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress of Ga-Based Catalysts for Catalytic Conversion of Light Alkanes
by Yuming Li, Shuting Fu, Qiyang Zhang, Hongyu Liu and Yajun Wang
Catalysts 2022, 12(11), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12111371 - 05 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2424
Abstract
The efficient and clean conversion of light alkanes is a research hotspot in the petrochemical industry, and the development of effective and eco-friendly non-noble metal-based catalysts is a key factor in this field. Among them, gallium is a metal component with good catalytic [...] Read more.
The efficient and clean conversion of light alkanes is a research hotspot in the petrochemical industry, and the development of effective and eco-friendly non-noble metal-based catalysts is a key factor in this field. Among them, gallium is a metal component with good catalytic performance, which has been extensively used for light alkanes conversion. Herein, we critically summarize recent developments in the preparation of gallium-based catalysts and their applications in the catalytic conversion of light alkanes. First, we briefly describe the different routes of light alkane conversion. Following that, the remarkable preparation methods for gallium-based catalysts are discussed, with their state-of-the-art application in light alkane conversion. It should be noticed that the directional preparation of specific Ga species, strengthening metal-support interactions to anchor Ga species, and the application of new kinds of methods for Ga-based catalysts preparation are at the leading edge. Finally, the review provides some current limitations and future perspectives for the development of gallium-based catalysts. Recently, different kinds of Ga species were reported to be active in alkane conversion, and how to separate them with advanced in situ and ex situ characterizations is still a problem that needs to be solved. We believe that this review can provide base information for the preparation and application of Ga-based catalysts in the current stage. With these summarizations, this review can inspire new research directions of gallium-based catalysts in the catalysis conversion of light alkanes with ameliorated performances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalysis for Energy Transformation Reactions)
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