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Journal ArticleDOI

Surface modification of TiO2 photocatalyst for environmental applications

TL;DR: In this paper, a review of surface-modified TiO2 photocatalysis based on photo-induced interfacial charge transfer has been conducted, which is mainly focused on environmental remediation, and various surface modifiers are classified according to the kind of surface modifiers and their effects on photocatalytic reaction mechanism and kinetics are discussed in detail.
Abstract: This paper reviews recent studies on the semiconductor photocatalysis based on surface-modified TiO2 of which application is mainly focused on environmental remediation. TiO2 photocatalysis that is based on the photoinduced interfacial charge transfer has been extensively studied over the past four decades. A great number of modification methods of semiconductor photocatalysts have been developed and investigated to accelerate the photoconversion, to enable the absorption of visible light, or to alter the reaction mechanism to control the products and intermediates. In this regard, various modification methods of TiO2 are classified according to the kind of surface modifiers (metal-loading, impurity doping, inorganic adsorbates, polymer coating, dye-sensitization, charge transfer complexation) and their effects on photocatalytic reaction mechanism and kinetics are discussed in detail. Modifying TiO2 in various ways not only changes the mechanism and kinetics under UV irradiation but also introduces visible light activity that is absent with pure TiO2. Each modification method influences the photocatalytic activity and mechanism in a way different from others and the observed modification effects are often different depending on the test substrates and conditions even for the same modification method. Better understanding of the modification effects on TiO2 photocatalysis is necessary to obtain reliable results, to assess the photoconversion efficiency more quantitatively, and to further improve the modification methods.
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the fundamental mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis, advantages, challenges and the design considerations of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts are summarized, including their crystal structural, surface phisicochemical, stability, optical, adsorption, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and electronic properties.

2,132 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical review highlights some key factors influencing the efficiency of heterogeneous semiconductors for solar water splitting (i.e. improved charge separation and transfer, promoted optical absorption, optimized band gap position, lowered cost and toxicity, and enhanced stability and water splitting kinetics).
Abstract: There is a growing interest in the conversion of water and solar energy into clean and renewable H2 fuels using earth-abundant materials due to the depletion of fossil fuel and its serious environmental impact. This critical review highlights some key factors influencing the efficiency of heterogeneous semiconductors for solar water splitting (i.e. improved charge separation and transfer, promoted optical absorption, optimized band gap position, lowered cost and toxicity, and enhanced stability and water splitting kinetics). Moreover, different engineering strategies, such as band structure engineering, micro/nano engineering, bionic engineering, co-catalyst engineering, surface/interface engineering of heterogeneous semiconductors are summarized and discussed thoroughly. The synergistic effects of the different engineering strategies, especially for the combination of co-catalyst loading and other strategies seem to be more promising for the development of highly efficient photocatalysts. A thorough understanding of electron and hole transfer thermodynamics and kinetics at the fundamental level is also important for elucidating the key efficiency-limiting step and designing highly efficient solar-to-fuel conversion systems. In this review, we provide not only a summary of the recent progress in the different engineering strategies of heterogeneous semiconductors for solar water splitting, but also some potential opportunities for designing and optimizing solar cells, photocatalysts for the reduction of CO2 and pollutant degradation, and electrocatalysts for water splitting.

1,489 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Various cocatalysts, such as the biomimetic, metal-based,Metal-free, and multifunctional ones, and their selectivity for CO2 photoreduction are summarized and discussed, along with the recent advances in this area.
Abstract: Photoreduction of CO2 into sustainable and green solar fuels is generally believed to be an appealing solution to simultaneously overcome both environmental problems and energy crisis. The low selectivity of challenging multi-electron CO2 photoreduction reactions makes it one of the holy grails in heterogeneous photocatalysis. This Review highlights the important roles of cocatalysts in selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction into solar fuels using semiconductor catalysts. A special emphasis in this review is placed on the key role, design considerations and modification strategies of cocatalysts for CO2 photoreduction. Various cocatalysts, such as the biomimetic, metal-based, metal-free, and multifunctional ones, and their selectivity for CO2 photoreduction are summarized and discussed, along with the recent advances in this area. This Review provides useful information for the design of highly selective cocatalysts for photo(electro)reduction and electroreduction of CO2 and complements the existing reviews on various semiconductor photocatalysts.

1,365 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized recent research dealing with development of titanium dioxide (TiO2) used for environmental applications and suggested new research directions, including preparation aspects for the development of this promising material.
Abstract: This paper summarizes recent research dealing with development of titanium dioxide (TiO2) used for environmental applications. TiO2 plays the most important role owing to its excellent chemical and physical properties. However, the TiO2 band edge lies in the UV region that makes them inactive under visible irradiation. In this regard, considerable efforts have been made to increase the visible light activity of TiO2 via the modification of its electronic and optical properties. Doping TiO2 using either anions or cations is one of the typical approaches that has been largely applied. Coupling TiO2 with a narrow bad gap semiconductor (MxOy/TiO2 or MxSy/TiO2) represents another approach. This work aims to encompass the new progress of TiO2 for an efficient application in water and wastewater treatment under visible light, emphasizes the future trends of TiO2 in the environment, and suggests new research directions, including preparation aspects for the development of this promising material.

1,281 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The recent progress in the investigation of black TiO2 nanomaterials has been reviewed here, and special emphasis has been given on their fabrication methods along with their various chemical/physical properties and applications.
Abstract: In the past few decades, there has been a wide research interest in titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials due to their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen generation and environmental pollution removal. Improving the optical absorption properties of TiO2 nanomaterials has been successfully demonstrated to enhance their photocatalytic activities, especially in the report of black TiO2 nanoparticles. The recent progress in the investigation of black TiO2 nanomaterials has been reviewed here, and special emphasis has been given on their fabrication methods along with their various chemical/physical properties and applications.

1,103 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The slow pace of hazardous waste remediation at military installations around the world is causing a serious delay in conversion of many of these facilities to civilian uses as discussed by the authors, which is a serious problem.
Abstract: The civilian, commercial, and defense sectors of most advanced industrialized nations are faced with a tremendous set of environmental problems related to the remediation of hazardous wastes, contaminated groundwaters, and the control of toxic air contaminants. For example, the slow pace of hazardous waste remediation at military installations around the world is causing a serious delay in conversion of many of these facilities to civilian uses. Over the last 10 years problems related to hazardous waste remediation have emerged as a high national and international priority.

17,188 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Ryoji Asahi1, Takeshi Morikawa1, T. Ohwaki1, Koyu Aoki1, Y. Taga1 
13 Jul 2001-Science
TL;DR: Film and powders of TiO2-x Nx have revealed an improvement over titanium dioxide (TiO2) under visible light in optical absorption and photocatalytic activity such as photodegradations of methylene blue and gaseous acetaldehyde and hydrophilicity of the film surface.
Abstract: To use solar irradiation or interior lighting efficiently, we sought a photocatalyst with high reactivity under visible light. Films and powders of TiO 2- x N x have revealed an improvement over titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) under visible light (wavelength 2 has proven to be indispensable for band-gap narrowing and photocatalytic activity, as assessed by first-principles calculations and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy.

11,402 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the rate constants for over 3500 reaction are tabulated, including reaction with molecules, ions and other radicals derived from inorganic and organic solutes, and the corresponding radical anions, ⋅O− and eaq−, have been critically pulse radiolysis, flash photolysis and other methods.
Abstract: Kinetic data for the radicals H⋅ and ⋅OH in aqueous solution,and the corresponding radical anions, ⋅O− and eaq−, have been critically pulse radiolysis, flash photolysis and other methods. Rate constants for over 3500 reaction are tabulated, including reaction with molecules, ions and other radicals derived from inorganic and organic solutes.

9,887 citations

Journal Article
01 Jan 2001-Nature
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors look into the historical background, and present status and development prospects for photoelectrochemical cells, based on nanocrystalline materials and conducting polymer films.
Abstract: Until now, photovoltaics - the conversion of sunlight to electrical power - has been dominated by solid-state junction devices, often made of silicon. But this dominance is now being challenged by the emergence of a new generation of photovoltaic cells, based, for example, on nanocrystalline materials and conducting polymer films. These offer the prospect of cheap fabrication together with other attractive features, such as flexibility. The phenomenal recent progress in fabricating and characterizing nanocrystalline materials has opened up whole new vistas of opportunity. Contrary to expectation, some of the new devices have strikingly high conversion efficiencies, which compete with those of conventional devices. Here I look into the historical background, and present status and development prospects for this new generation of photoelectrochemical cells.

8,305 citations