Ag–CuO–ZnO metal–semiconductor multiconcentric nanotubes for achieving superior and perdurable photodegradation

Abstract

Solar energy represents a robust and natural form of resource for environment remediation via photocatalytic pollutant degradation with minimum associated costs. However, due to the complexity of the photodegradation process, it has been a long-standing challenge to develop reliable photocatalytic systems with low recombination rates, excellent recyclability, and high utilization rates of solar energy, especially in the visible light range. In this work, a ternary hetero-nanostructured Ag-CuO-ZnO nanotube (NT) composite is fabricated via facile and low-temperature chemical and photochemical deposition methods. Under visible light irradiation, the as-synthesized ZnO NT based ternary composite exhibits a greater enhancement (∼300%) of photocatalytic activity than its counterpart, Ag-CuO-ZnO nanorods (NRs), in pollutant degradation. The enhanced photocatalytic capability is primarily attributed to the intensified visible light harvesting, efficient charge carrier separation and much larger surface area. Furthermore, our as-synthesised hybrid ternary Ag-CuO-ZnO NT composite demonstrates much higher photostability and retains ∼98% of degradation efficiency even after 20 usage cycles, which can be mainly ascribed to the more stable polar planes of ZnO NTs than those of ZnO NRs. These results afford a new route to construct ternary heterostructured composites with perdurable performance in sewage treatment and photocorrosion suppression.

In-situ synthesis of amorphous silver silicate/carbonate composites for selective visible-light photocatalytic decomposition

“…These results of the photocurrent tests are in agreement with the results of the photodegradation of MB. The obvious photocurrent demonstrates that the interfacial charge separation between AgSiO and Ag 2 CO 3 NPs exists in this composite 46 .

Figure 11( A ) The photocatalytic stability of AgSiO/Ag 2 CO 3 -5:1 composite in recycling reactions; Photocurrent response curves of pure Ag 2 CO 3 , AgSiO and AgSiO/Ag 2 CO 3 composites under visible light irradiation ( B ).

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Noble Metal‐Free Nanocatalysts with Vacancies for Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…The ever-increasing demand of energy as well as the deterioration of global climate and environment has spurred continuous research efforts to explore novel eco-friendly technologies, such as photocatalysis, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] electrocatalysis, [2,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] supercapacitors, [14,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29] and batteries, [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] for the utilization of green and renewable energy resources. Electrochemical water splitting, these noble-metal-based catalysts are economically not viable for wide-scale application.…”

Crystal Structure, Spectroscopy and Photocatalytic Properties of a Co(II) Complex Based on 5-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxylic Acid

“…TiO 2 − and ZnO−based semiconductor materials are the most widely used photocatalysts in recent decades [11,12]. However, the main drawback for these materials is the fast recombination of electrons and hole pairs generated by irradiation [13]. In recent years, a new emerging application of metal-organic complexes as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes has been established [14,15].…”