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Special Issue "Advanced Research of Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Applications"

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A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials for Energy Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 4551

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. I. Neelakanta Reddy

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712749, Korea
Interests: nanostructures; thin films; semiconductors photocatalysts; photoelectrochemical water splitting, 2D MXenes; hydrogen production

Dr. Adem Sreedhar

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Guest Editor

Department of Physics, Gachon University, Seongnam 461701, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Interests: nanostructures; thin films; semiconductors photocatalysts; photoelectrochemical water splitting, 2D MXenes; hydrogen production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of environmentally friendly energy such as hydrogen via photoelectrochemicals can be generated by regulating catalytic activity in response to external stimuli (i.e., pH, temperature, light, morphology). The integration of novel materials in a new generation of catalysts could allow us to develop breakthrough systems characterized by unique functional properties, such as adaptability, stability, a high generation of photocurrents, temporal control on the occurrence of the reactions, and dynamic specificity towards particular interfaces. Photoelectrochemical techniques are unique and simple compared with other hydrogen production techniques. For those reasons, photoelectrochemical method deserves more extensive investigations. This Special Issue intends to cover the most recent progresses in the preparation of “advanced research of nanoparticles for photoelectrochemical Applications’’ with particular emphasis on new synthetic and design-driven approaches that enable the success of dynamic, stimuli-responsive systems.

Dr. I. Neelakanta Reddy
Dr. Adem Sreedhar
Guest Editors

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Keywords

catalyst
photoelectrochemical
nanostructures
semiconductors
optical bandgap

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Fast and Excellent Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Silver-Doped Zinc Oxide Submicron Structures under Blue Laser Irradiation

Mohamed Sh. Abdel-wahab

and

Crystals 2023, 13(2), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13020229 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1228

Abstract

In this study, laser-assisted chemical bath synthesis (LACBS) was used to prepare pure and Ag-doped ZnO submicron structures using a simplified hydrothermal approach that did not require a catalyst. The photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue was investigated under blue laser irradiation (λ = 444.5 nm and I = 8000 lx). The doping concentration varied (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, tando 10%) and was prepared by LACBS using a continuous blue laser (P = 7 W, λ = 444.5 nm) for the first time. XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, and UV-Vis investigated the characteristics of the samples produced by the LACBS. ZnO: Ag_(10%) submicron flowers are essential in rapid photodegradation under blue laser irradiation. The high surface area and catalytic activity of the prepared Ag-decorated ZnO are attributed to this improved photocatalytic activity. Using UV-visible spectroscopy, the photocatalytic efficiency was determined from the absorption spectra. The separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs was facilitated, and the absorption edge of the hybrid submicron structures shifted into the visible spectrum region due to a combination of the Ag plasmonic effect and surface imperfections in ZnO. Effective visible light absorption was achieved via band-edge tuning, which increased the ZnO:Ag submicron structures’ ability to degrade dyes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Effect of Plant Nanocellulose Electrolyte, Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles, and Nano-Chlorophyll Sensitiser on the Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell Performance

and

Crystals 2022, 12(12), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12121771 - 06 Dec 2022

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Abstract

Owing to ecological concerns and the rapid increase in fossil fuel consumption, sustainable and efficient generation technologies are being developed. The present work aimed at manufacturing DSSC that is based on natural elements for converting the sun energy into electrical energy. ZnO nano materials are used in solar cells as binary compound semiconductor according to their stability, better conductivity, excellent mobility, the best affinity of electrons, and lower cost compared to other semiconductors. Recently, nanocellulose has shown potential as an advanced nanomaterial used in electrochemical conversion devices since it is considered the best abundant Earth biopolymer and is inexpensive and versatile. The constructed DSSC composed of plant nanocellulose (PNC) extracted from banana peel and nano-chlorophyll dye extracted from aloe vera were evaluated as the electrolyte and sensitiser, respectively. With increasing PNC content from 0 to 32 wt.%, both PV parameters and lifetime increase, and voltage decay decreases. The nano particles size modification for three materials carried by ultrasonic waves. Increasing the ultrasonic wave exposure time reduced the size of the Chl particles. The addition of PNC from banana peel to DSSC electrolyte is shown effective. The effect of varying the PNC/nano-chlorophyll content (0–32 wt.%) on the photovoltaic parameters of the DSSC was investigated. The addition of PNC significantly increased the fill factor and sunlight conversion efficiency. The DSSCs showed acceptable performance under relatively low irradiation conditions and different light intensities, indicating that they are suitable for outdoor applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Effect of Electrolytes on the BiOI/SnO₂ Heterostructure to Achieve Stable Photo-Induced Carrier Generation

and

Crystals 2022, 12(12), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12121727 - 28 Nov 2022

Viewed by 902

Abstract

Heterostructures have recently been used to generate stable photo-induced currents via photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity. However, the effect of electrolytes on charge-transfer kinetics and the generation of photo-induced currents on heterostructures are major challenges in PEC. The effect of the electrolyte on the synthesized photoelectrodes is demonstrated in this study under various conditions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and Tafel analyses. The lowest transfer kinetics resistance and highest photocurrent densities are achieved in 0.1 M KOH when compared to those in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ aqueous electrolytes. Furthermore, various applied voltage effects on the generation of currents have been studied for the synthesized electrodes at a voltage of +0.5 V in both electrolytes. The maximum induced-current achieved was 1.39 mA cm⁻² for BW-SO, under illumination in the 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. The BW-SO heterostructure presented enhanced performance due to improved light absorption capability, the lowest resistance values, and the synergistic effect of the heterostructures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Applied Potential Effect on ZnFe₂O₄-Fe₂O₃ Heterostructure for Generation of Photocurrents under Irradiation

I. Neelakanta Reddy

Veeranjaneya Reddy Lebaka

Suresh V. Chinni

Ramachawolran Gobinath

Jaesool Shim

and

Cheolho Bai

Crystals 2022, 12(12), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12121726 - 28 Nov 2022

Viewed by 728

Abstract

In this study, the performance of ZnFe₂O₄-Fe₂O₃ heterostructure was tested for photocurrent generation via photoelectrochemical activity under irradiation. Additionally, the effect of heterostructure photoanode on the structural, optical properties, and charge kinetic behavior of the photoelectrode was investigated. A combination of ZnFe₂O₄-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures exhibited an enhanced ability of light absorption compared to that of pristine Fe₂O₃ and ZnFe₂O₄ samples. For ZnFe₂O₄-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures, an electron–hole transfer resistance of 9.41 kΩ was achieved in a 0.1 M KOH electrolyte under irradiation, which is much lower than that of achieved values of pure Fe₂O₃ and ZnFe₂O₄ nanostructures. The generation of photocurrent density of ZnFe₂O₄-Fe₂O₃ photoanode considerably increased in 0.1 M KOH electrolytes under irradiation compared to those of the other samples due to the greater active sites, electronic band structure, absorption capability of photoanode, and considerable improvements in the charge transfer resistance, limiting current density, exchange current density, and Tafel slope. Further, the applied potential showed a strong significant influence on the generation of photocurrent for the synthesized photoelectrodes. At 0.5 V applied potential, the heterostructure showed a maximum and enhanced current density compared to pristine samples. Thus, ZnFe₂O₄-Fe₂O₃ photoanodes were established to be beneficial and stable nanostructures for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Applications)

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