Current status of hematite (α-Fe2O3) based Z-scheme photocatalytic systems for environmental and energy applications

Efficient Photocatalytic Charge Separation at Anatase–Hematite Heterojunctions with a Tuned Three-Dimensional Cocatalytic NiO Support

“…The construction of ternary heterostructured photocatalysts has been recently explored as an effectual approach for inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Over the past decades, various semiconductor systems including TiO 2 , ZnO, BiVO 4 , Fe 2 O 3 , CdS, Cu 2 O, and so forth have been applied for the construction of heterostructures. − Among them, Fe 2 O 3 -based photocatalytic systems have gained substantial attention owing to their favorable band gap characteristics, nontoxicity, low cost, and high stability . Our research group has previously reported different modifications and hybrids of iron/titanium-based photocatalytic systems via heterojunction engineering to enhance the redox reaction capability and charge separation efficiency. − However, it is mostly difficult for such hybrid systems to confirm the stability of cocatalysts employed, so that the overall performance and photocatalytic stability unveil much certain limitations.…”

“…25−29 Among them, Fe 2 O 3 -based photocatalytic systems have gained substantial attention owing to their favorable band gap characteristics, nontoxicity, low cost, and high stability. 30 Our research group has previously reported different modifications and hybrids of iron/titanium-based photocatalytic systems via heterojunction engineering to enhance the redox reaction capability and charge separation efficiency. 31−36 However, it is mostly difficult for such hybrid systems to confirm the stability of cocatalysts employed, so that the overall performance and photocatalytic stability unveil much certain limitations.…”

Covalent Linking of the Porphyrin Light Harvester to the Multiwalled-Carbon-Nanotube-Based Polypyridineruthenium(II) Complex for Boosting the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…The photocatalyst consists of a photosensitizer, an oxygen evolution catalyst, and a sacrificial electron acceptor. At present, the reported heterogeneous photocatalysts used for photocatalytic OER include MoO 2 , TiO 2 , BiVO 4 , − WO 3 , α-Fe 2 O 3 , perovskite, ZnO, Co 3 O 4 , g-C 3 N 4 , , sulfides, bismuth-based compounds, black phosphorus, metal–organic frameworks, , etc. One clear drawback for the single-component photocatalysts is excitons having relatively short lifetimes .…”

Advances in photo-assisted seawater splitting promoted by green iron oxide-carbon nitride photoelectrocatalysts

“…1,12–19 Nonetheless, the water splitting efficiency is limited by the kinetic barrier of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), possessing a high overpotential ( η ). 9,14,17,20–23 The current benchmark OER electrocatalysts based on noble-metal ( e.g. , Ir and Ru) oxides suffer from scarcity, high cost and modest long-term stability, limiting their large-scale use and commercialization.…”

“…1,10,22,28,39,40 In this regard, it is worth highlighting that, if OER is carried out in alkaline solutions at an overpotential <0.48 V, ClO − generation from chloride oxidation can be favourably suppressed. 1,20,39,41 In the broad scenario of OER photoelectrocatalysts, hematite (a-Fe 2 O 3 ), the most stable iron(III) oxide polymorph, 4,15,16,23,42 is one of the most promising platforms due to its natural abundance, biocompatibility, low cost, good stability, and band gap (E G z 2.1 eV) enabling the absorption of a large solar spectrum portion. 2,6,12,16,23,43,44 These advantages are partially eclipsed by its small exciton diffusion length (z2-4 nm), as well as by the poor mobility and low lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers (<10 ps), restricting its practical applications.…”