2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Photocatalysis

Abstract

Two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a rising star in the post‐graphene era, are fundamentally and technologically intriguing for photocatalysis. Their extraordinary electronic, optical, and chemical properties endow them as promising materials for effectively harvesting light and catalyzing the redox reaction in photocatalysis. Here, we present a tutorial‐style review of the field of 2D TMDs for photocatalysis to educate researchers (especially the new‐comers), which begins with a brief introduction of the fundamentals of 2D TMDs and photocatalysis along with the synthesis of this type of material, then look deeply into the merits of 2D TMDs as co‐catalysts and active photocatalysts, followed by an overview of the challenges and corresponding strategies of 2D TMDs for photocatalysis, and finally look ahead this topic.

Advances in special wettable materials for adsorption separation of high-viscosity crude oil/water mixtures

“…Thus, the development of adsorption and separation materials with solar heating properties will certainly contribute to green and sustainable energy systems via effectively alleviating the energy and environmental crisis caused by the conventional overuse of fossil fuel heating. 115 At present, a variety of solar-heated materials have been developed, such as graphene, 116,117 carbon nanotubes, 118,119 polypyrrole, 120,121 polydopamine (PDA), 84,122 metal dichalcogenides, 123,124 metallic nanostructures, 125,126 metal oxides, 127,128 MXene, 129,130 etc. Generally, whether a photothermal adsorption separation material possesses excellent photothermal conversion ability first requires to have a broad-spectrum solar adsorption capability to adsorb as much solar energy as possible and convert it into thermal energy, thus reducing the viscosity of crude oil.…”

Crystal-Phase Engineering of Two-Dimensional Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering: A Perspective

“…In general, TMDs have a common chemical formula of MX 2 (where M represents the transition-metal atoms from Group IVB to Group VIII, and X represents the chalcogen atoms of S, Se, and Te in Group VIA), where each M atomic plane is sandwiched between two X atomic planes to form a single layer in the “X–M–X” structure. , Depending on the arrangement of the X–M–X structure and the layer stacking order, TMDs crystallize in different crystal phases, such as 2H, 1T, 1T′, 3R, etc. (Figure a–f). , The 2H phase is the most common phase found in TMDs, displaying hexagonal symmetry with trigonal prismatic coordination.…”

“…The motivation of this Perspective is to draw attention to the influence of the crystal phase of TMDs on the SERS performance and to promote the development of crystal-phase engineering of TMDs in the SERS field. Since there have been some reviews on the synthesis, characterization, and various applications of TMDs, − this article only selectively deals with the relevant contents of TMDs used in the field of SERS with emphasis on the role of the crystal phases of TMDs. First, we briefly introduce the basic properties, crystal-phase configurations, and phase transition strategies of TMDs.…”

Photocatalytic Applications of ReS2-Based Heterostructures

“…Despite its advantages, TiO 2 suffers from a narrow spectral response range, a high carrier recombination rate, and a lack of catalytic active sites, thus limiting its photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) activity [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) photocatalysts, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), has reinvigorated the progress in photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic research [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Due to their easy exfoliation into monolayers, TMDs provide numerous benefits such as a high surface area and decreased migration distance for photogenerated electron–hole pairs.…”