Co3O4 nanoparticles-loaded BiOCl nanoplates with the dominant {001} facets: efficient photodegradation of organic dyes under visible light

N-doped Na2Ti6O13@TiO2 core–shell nanobelts with exposed {1 0 1} anatase facets and enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

“…Photocatalysis, using semiconductors, has become an area of great research interest due to its potential applications in solving energy supply and environmental pollution problems [1][2][3][4][5]. TiO 2 is the most widely investigated photocatalyst due to its high photoactivity, exceptional optical and electronic properties, low cost and toxicity, and good chemical and thermal stability [6,7].…”

Photocatalytic performance enhancement of CuO/Cu2O heterostructures for photodegradation of organic dyes: Effects of CuO morphology

“…But they have to meet high requirements, i.e. visible light absorption, good charge separation, available reaction sites accessibility and earth-abundance as well as environment benignity [1][2][3][4]. Since synthesis of Cu 2 O with well-defined morphologies has become controllable, cuprous oxide has attracted great attentions for photocatalysis due to its non-toxicity and earthabundance [5].…”

Novel one-pot synthesis and sensitisation of new BiOCl–Bi2S3 nanostructures from DES medium displaying high photocatalytic activity

“…10,21 Furthermore, the strong adsorption of RhB onto this material, prior to photodegradation, may function as an organic dye presensitization step and therefore contribute to the high photocatalytic performance. 10,11,18,21 Although it has not been the main subject of this study, an absorption band at about 262 nm remained after 20 min of irradiation when using sample F as photocatalyst (inset in Figure 5c). In fact, contrarily to the observed with sample B, this absorption band could be already clearly noticed after the equilibration time in the dark period (t = 0 in Figure 5b), remaining throughout the degradation process.…”

“…The VB and CB values obtained are close to those reported in the literature for BiOCl (3.5-3.6 and 0.14-0.22 eV) and Bi2S3 (1.44-1.47 and 0.09-0.11 eV). 18,25,27,49 Additionally, it has been reported that for RhB the electronic transition occurs between the HOMO and HOMO-1 levels with an energy difference of about 1.42 eV. 49 It is well known that the low recombination rate is a key factor in the photocatalyst efficiency and therefore the introduction of additional transition states by sensitization is advantageous.…”

“…Typical hydro/solvothermal based approaches require moderate to high temperatures (80-200 o C), often extended reaction times (12-24 h) and the use of specific reaction vessels. [4][5][6]9,11,14 The precipitation at room temperature, the synthesis assisted by ultrasound and the combustion methods requires subsequent calcination at 300-400 o C. 15,18,19 In order to increase the photocatalytic performance and extend the absorption to the visible range, several strategies have been used in order to improve the efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts, for example by controlling crystal facets, doping, organic and inorganic sensitization, and preparation of hybrid structures. It has been shown that the photocatalytic activity of BiOCl depends not only on its particle dimensions but also on the crystallographic orientation of its surface.…”