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Micromachines
Special Issues
Nanostructures for Photocatalysis
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Nanostructures for Photocatalysis

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "A：Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2019) | Viewed by 28190

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Paolo Ciambelli

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Narrando Srl, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; nano materials; nanotechnology: photocatalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue,  “Nanostructures for Photocatalysis”, aims at contributing to assess the state-of-the-art of breakthroughs in novel photocatalytic materials, brought about from the continuing progress of advanced nanoscience and nanotechnology in recent years. Specifically, nanostructured-controlled photocatalysts are the subject of this issue. Therefore, with respect to usual semiconductor materials, mostly titania-based, new materials, such as metal oxides, metal organic framework, metal complexes, and porous materials add to the list of candidates for photocatalytic applications, profiting from potential high performance related to their specific nanostructures.

All aspects involved in the development of novel photocatalysts, from synthesis to characterization, to reactions applications, will be considered, but specific attention will be given to new opportunities given by the extraordinary progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology, applied to catalyst formulation, the role of advanced spectroscopic diagnostic applied to catalyst nano structure characterization, and the available kinetic approaches to give evidence to the role of nanostructure in affecting the reaction mechanisms.

Moreover, major attention will be devoted to the performance of nanostructured photocatalysts under visible light irradiation.

Finally,with respect to application of nano structured photocatalysts, this Special Issue will give space, not only to the more usual field of air and water depolluting, but also to appealing area, such as selective organic synthesis and water and carbon dioxide conversion for energy purposes.

Professor Paolo Ciambelli
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. Micromachines 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 2600 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
  • Nanostructured catalysts
  • Semiconductor and beyond semiconductor photocatalysts
  • Advanced synthesis of nano catalysts
  • Advanced characterization techniques for nano catalysts
  • Nanostructured photocatalysts for energy and environment application
  • Nanostructure driven photocatalytic reactions

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 10037 KiB  
Article
Construction of a CQDs/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 Heterostructure Photocatalyst with Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B under Simulated Solar Irradiation
by Huajing Gao, Chengxiang Zheng, Hua Yang, Xiaowei Niu and Shifa Wang
Micromachines 2019, 10(9), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10090557 - 23 Aug 2019
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 4892
Abstract
A carbon quantum dot (CQDs)/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 heterostructure photocatalyst was constructed by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The as-prepared CQDs/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 photocatalyst has been characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron [...] Read more.
A carbon quantum dot (CQDs)/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 heterostructure photocatalyst was constructed by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The as-prepared CQDs/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 photocatalyst has been characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical measurements. It is demonstrated that the CQDs/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 composite is constructed by assembling Ag3PO4 fine particles and CQDs on the surface of rice-like BiPO4 granules. The CQDs/Ag3PO4/BiPO4 heterostructure photocatalyst exhibits a higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of the rhodamine B dye than that of Ag3PO4, BiPO4, and Ag3PO4/BiPO4. The synergistic effects of light absorption capacity, band edge position, separation, and utilization efficiency of photogenerated carriers play the key role for the enhanced photodegradation of the rhodamine B dye. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructures for Photocatalysis)
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16 pages, 22489 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance and Mechanism of Au@CaTiO3 Composites with Au Nanoparticles Assembled on CaTiO3 Nanocuboids
by Yuxiang Yan, Hua Yang, Zao Yi, Ruishan Li and Xiangxian Wang
Micromachines 2019, 10(4), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10040254 - 17 Apr 2019
Cited by 68 | Viewed by 5567
Abstract
Using P25 as the titanium source and based on a hydrothermal route, we have synthesized CaTiO3 nanocuboids (NCs) with the width of 0.3–0.5 μm and length of 0.8–1.1 μm, and systematically investigated their growth process. Au nanoparticles (NPs) of 3–7 nm in [...] Read more.
Using P25 as the titanium source and based on a hydrothermal route, we have synthesized CaTiO3 nanocuboids (NCs) with the width of 0.3–0.5 μm and length of 0.8–1.1 μm, and systematically investigated their growth process. Au nanoparticles (NPs) of 3–7 nm in size were assembled on the surface of CaTiO3 NCs via a photocatalytic reduction method to achieve excellent Au@CaTiO3 composite photocatalysts. Various techniques were used to characterize the as-prepared samples, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution was chosen as the model pollutant to assess the photocatalytic performance of the samples separately under simulated-sunlight, ultraviolet (UV) and visible-light irradiation. Under irradiation of all kinds of light sources, the Au@CaTiO3 composites, particularly the 4.3%Au@CaTiO3 composite, exhibit greatly enhanced photocatalytic performance when compared with bare CaTiO3 NCs. The main roles of Au NPs in the enhanced photocatalytic mechanism of the Au@CaTiO3 composites manifest in the following aspects: (1) Au NPs act as excellent electron sinks to capture the photoexcited electrons in CaTiO3, thus leading to an efficient separation of photoexcited electron/hole pairs in CaTiO3; (2) the electromagnetic field caused by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Au NPs could facilitate the generation and separation of electron/hole pairs in CaTiO3; and (3) the LSPR-induced electrons in Au NPs could take part in the photocatalytic reactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructures for Photocatalysis)
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18 pages, 7708 KiB  
Article
Growth Process and CQDs-modified Bi4Ti3O12 Square Plates with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
by Xinxin Zhao, Hua Yang, Ziming Cui, Xiangxian Wang and Zao Yi
Micromachines 2019, 10(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10010066 - 18 Jan 2019
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 4565
Abstract
Bi4Ti3O12 square plates were synthesized via a hydrothermal route, and their growth process was systematically investigated. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared using glucose as the carbon source, which were then assembled on the surface of Bi4 [...] Read more.
Bi4Ti3O12 square plates were synthesized via a hydrothermal route, and their growth process was systematically investigated. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared using glucose as the carbon source, which were then assembled on the surface of Bi4Ti3O12 square plates via a hydrothermal route with the aim of enhancing the photocatalytic performance. XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), UV-vis DRS (diffuse reflectance spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), PL (photoluminescence) spectroscopy, EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and photocurrent spectroscopy were used to systematically characterize the as-prepared samples. It is demonstrated that the decoration of CQDs on Bi4Ti3O12 plates leads to an increased visible light absorption, slightly increased bandgap, increased photocurrent density, decreased charge-transfer resistance, and decreased PL intensity. Simulated sunlight and visible light were separately used as a light source to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the samples toward the degradation of RhB in aqueous solution. Under both simulated sunlight and visible light irradiation, CQDs@Bi4Ti3O12 composites with an appropriate amount of CQDs exhibit obviously enhanced photocatalytic performance. However, the decoration of excessive CQDs gives rise to a decrease in the photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of CQDs-modified Bi4Ti3O12 can be attributed to the following reasons: (1) The electron transfer between Bi4Ti3O12 and CQDs promotes an efficient separation of photogenerated electron/hole pairs in Bi4Ti3O12; (2) the up-conversion photoluminescence emitted from CQDs could induce the generation of additional electron/hole pairs in Bi4Ti3O12; and (3) the photoexcited electrons in CQDs could participate in the photocatalytic reactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructures for Photocatalysis)
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18 pages, 9455 KiB  
Article
Construction of Z-Scheme g-C3N4/CNT/Bi2Fe4O9 Composites with Improved Simulated-Sunlight Photocatalytic Activity for the Dye Degradation
by Lijing Di, Hua Yang, Tao Xian and Xiujuan Chen
Micromachines 2018, 9(12), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9120613 - 22 Nov 2018
Cited by 73 | Viewed by 6698
Abstract
In this work, ternary all-solid-state Z-scheme g-C3N4/carbon nanotubes/Bi2Fe4O9 (g-C3N4/CNT/BFO) composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The morphology observation shows that ternary heterojunctions are formed in [...] Read more.
In this work, ternary all-solid-state Z-scheme g-C3N4/carbon nanotubes/Bi2Fe4O9 (g-C3N4/CNT/BFO) composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The morphology observation shows that ternary heterojunctions are formed in the g-C3N4/CNT/BFO composites. The photocatalytic activity of the samples for the degradation of acid orange 7 was investigated under simulated sunlight irradiation. It was found that the ternary composites exhibit remarkable enhanced photocatalytic activity when compared with bare BFO and g-C3N4/BFO composites. The effect of the CNT content on the photocatalytic performance of the ternary composites was investigated. The photocatalytic mechanism of g-C3N4/CNT/BFO was proposed according to the photoelectrochemical measurement, photoluminescence, active species trapping experiment and energy-band potential analysis. The results reveal that the introduction of CNT as an excellent solid electron mediator into the ternary composites can effectively accelerate the electron migration between BFO and g-C3N4. This charge transfer process results in highly-efficient separation of photogenerated charges, thus leading to greatly enhanced photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/CNT/BFO composites. Furthermore, the g-C3N4/CNT/BFO composites also exhibit highly-efficient photo-Fenton-like catalysis property. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructures for Photocatalysis)
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Review

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25 pages, 4775 KiB  
Review
TiO2 Based Nanostructures for Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion to Valuable Chemicals
by Abdul Razzaq and Su-Il In
Micromachines 2019, 10(5), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10050326 - 15 May 2019
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 5842
Abstract
Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to useful products is an alluring approach for acquiring the two-fold benefits of normalizing excess atmospheric CO2 levels and the production of solar chemicals/fuels. Therefore, photocatalytic materials are continuously being developed with enhanced performance in accordance with [...] Read more.
Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to useful products is an alluring approach for acquiring the two-fold benefits of normalizing excess atmospheric CO2 levels and the production of solar chemicals/fuels. Therefore, photocatalytic materials are continuously being developed with enhanced performance in accordance with their respective domains. In recent years, nanostructured photocatalysts such as one dimensional (1-D), two dimensional (2-D) and three dimensional (3-D)/hierarchical have been a subject of great importance because of their explicit advantages over 0-D photocatalysts, including high surface areas, effective charge separation, directional charge transport, and light trapping/scattering effects. Furthermore, the strategy of doping (metals and non-metals), as well as coupling with a secondary material (noble metals, another semiconductor material, graphene, etc.), of nanostructured photocatalysts has resulted in an amplified photocatalytic performance. In the present review article, various titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based nanostructured photocatalysts are briefly overviewed with respect to their application in photocatalytic CO2 conversion to value-added chemicals. This review primarily focuses on the latest developments in TiO2-based nanostructures, specifically 1-D (TiO2 nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanobelts etc.) and 2-D (TiO2 nanosheets, nanolayers), and the reaction conditions and analysis of key parameters and their role in the up-grading and augmentation of photocatalytic performance. Moreover, TiO2-based 3-D and/or hierarchical nanostructures for CO2 conversions are also briefly scrutinized, as they exhibit excellent performance based on the special nanostructure framework, and can be an exemplary photocatalyst architecture demonstrating an admirable performance in the near future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructures for Photocatalysis)
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