Falong Jia

Bio: Falong Jia is an academic researcher from Central China Normal University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nanoporous & Catalysis. The author has an hindex of 27, co-authored 61 publications receiving 4936 citations. Previous affiliations of Falong Jia include Tianjin University & University of Western Ontario.

Generalized One-Pot Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity of Hierarchical BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) Nanoplate Microspheres

Abstract: A general one-pot solvothermal process was explored to prepare BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) powders by employing ethylene glycol as the solvent. The as-prepared BiOX powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and nitrogen sorption. The resulting BiOX samples were phase-pure and of hierarchical microspheres consisting of nanoplates. The band gaps of the as-prepared powders were estimated to about 3.22, 2.64, and 1.77 eV for BiOCl, BiOBr, and BiOI, respectively. On the basis of characterization results, we proposed a possible process for the growth of hierarchical BiOX nanoplate microspheres. Moreover, we evaluated their photocatalytic activities on the degradation of methyl orange and compared them with TiO2 (Degussa, P25) under UV−vis light irradiation and C-doped TiO2 under visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation, respectively. It was found that al...

Low temperature preparation and visible light photocatalytic activity of mesoporous carbon-doped crystalline TiO2

Abstract: A visible-light-active TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared through carbon doping by using glucose as carbon source. Different from the previous carbon-doped TiO2 prepared at high temperature, our preparation was performed by a hydrothermal method at temperature as low as 160 °C. The resulting photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, XPS, TEM, nitrogen adsorption, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The characterizations found that the photocatalyst possessed a homogeneous pore diameter about 8 nm and a high surface area of 126 m2/g. Comparing to undoped TiO2, the carbon-doped TiO2 showed obvious absorption in the 400–450 nm range with a red shift in the band gap transition. It was found that the resulting carbon-doped TiO2 exhibits significantly higher photocatalytic activity than the undoped counterpart and Degussa P25 on the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in water under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). This method can be easily scaled up for industrial production of visible-light driven photocatalyst for pollutants removal because of its convenience and energy-saving.

Oxygen Vacancy-Mediated Photocatalysis of BiOCl: Reactivity, Selectivity, and Perspectives.

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysis is a trustworthy approach to harvest clean solar light for energy conversions, while state-of-the-art catalytic efficiencies are unsatisfactory because of the finite light response and/or recombination of robust charge carriers. Along with the development of modern material characterization techniques and electronic-structure computations, oxygen vacancies (OVs) on the surface of real photocatalysts, even in infinitesimal concentration, are found to play a more decisive role in determining the kinetics, energetics, and mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions. This Review endeavors to clarify the inherent functionality of OVs in photocatalysis at the surface molecular level using 2D BiOCl as the platform. Structure sensitivity of OVs on reactivity and selectivity of photocatalytic reactions is intensely discussed via confining OVs onto prototypical BiOCl surfaces of different structures. The critical understanding of OVs chemistry can help consolidate and advance the fundamental theories of photocatalysis, and also offer new perspectives and guidelines for the rational design of catalysts with satisfactory performance.

Hydroxylamine Promoted Goethite Surface Fenton Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Abstract: In this study, we construct a surface Fenton system with hydroxylamine (NH2OH), goethite (α-FeOOH), and H2O2 (α-FeOOH–HA/H2O2) to degrade various organic pollutants including dyes (methyl orange, methylene blue, and rhodamine B), pesticides (pentachlorophenol, alachlor, and atrazine), and antibiotics (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and lincomycin) at pH 5.0. In this surface Fenton system, the presence of NH2OH could greatly promote the H2O2 decomposition on the α-FeOOH surface to produce ·OH without releasing any detectable iron ions during the alachlor degradation, which was different from some previously reported heterogeneous Fenton counterparts. Moreover, the ·OH generation rate constant of this surface Fenton system was 102–104 times those of previous heterogeneous Fenton processes. The interaction between α-FeOOH and NH2OH was investigated with using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The effective degradation of organic p...

Heterogeneous photocatalyst materials for water splitting

Abstract: This critical review shows the basis of photocatalytic water splitting and experimental points, and surveys heterogeneous photocatalyst materials for water splitting into H2 and O2, and H2 or O2 evolution from an aqueous solution containing a sacrificial reagent Many oxides consisting of metal cations with d0 and d10 configurations, metal (oxy)sulfide and metal (oxy)nitride photocatalysts have been reported, especially during the latest decade The fruitful photocatalyst library gives important information on factors affecting photocatalytic performances and design of new materials Photocatalytic water splitting and H2 evolution using abundant compounds as electron donors are expected to contribute to construction of a clean and simple system for solar hydrogen production, and a solution of global energy and environmental issues in the future (361 references)

Semiconductor-based Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

Abstract: 2.3. Evaluation of Photocatalytic Water Splitting 6507 2.3.1. Photocatalytic Activity 6507 2.3.2. Photocatalytic Stability 6507 3. UV-Active Photocatalysts for Water Splitting 6507 3.1. d0 Metal Oxide Photocatalyts 6507 3.1.1. Ti-, Zr-Based Oxides 6507 3.1.2. Nb-, Ta-Based Oxides 6514 3.1.3. W-, Mo-Based Oxides 6517 3.1.4. Other d0 Metal Oxides 6518 3.2. d10 Metal Oxide Photocatalyts 6518 3.3. f0 Metal Oxide Photocatalysts 6518 3.4. Nonoxide Photocatalysts 6518 4. Approaches to Modifying the Electronic Band Structure for Visible-Light Harvesting 6519

Nano‐photocatalytic Materials: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysis has received much attention as a potential solution to the worldwide energy shortage and for counteracting environmental degradation. This article reviews state-of-the-art research activities in the field, focusing on the scientific and technological possibilities offered by photocatalytic materials. We begin with a survey of efforts to explore suitable materials and to optimize their energy band configurations for specific applications. We then examine the design and fabrication of advanced photocatalytic materials in the framework of nanotechnology. Many of the most recent advances in photocatalysis have been realized by selective control of the morphology of nanomaterials or by utilizing the collective properties of nano-assembly systems. Finally, we discuss the current theoretical understanding of key aspects of photocatalytic materials. This review also highlights crucial issues that should be addressed in future research activities.

P25-Graphene Composite as a High Performance Photocatalyst

Abstract: Herein we obtained a chemically bonded TiO2 (P25)-graphene nanocomposite photocatalyst with graphene oxide and P25, using a facile one-step hydrothermal method. During the hydrothermal reaction, both of the reduction of graphene oxide and loading of P25 were achieved. The as-prepared P25-graphene photocatalyst possessed great adsorptivity of dyes, extended light absorption range, and efficient charge separation properties simultaneously, which was rarely reported in other TiO2−carbon photocatalysts. Hence, in the photodegradation of methylene blue, a significant enhancement in the reaction rate was observed with P25-graphene, compared to the bare P25 and P25-CNTs with the same carbon content. Overall, this work could provide new insights into the fabrication of a TiO2−carbon composite as high performance photocatalysts and facilitate their application in the environmental protection issues.