Fang Jiang

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid over ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst

ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method and applied to visible-light photocatalytic decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous phase. The flower-like ZnIn2S4 particles were dispersed on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets in the ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite. The composite showed higher separation rate of electron-hole pairs as compared to ZnIn2S4 and g-C3N4. Consequently, the ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite exhibited enhanced visible light photocatalytic decomposition efficiency of 2,4-D, within 20% ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite owning the highest photocatalytic efficiency and initial rate. The initial rates of 2,4-D degradation on g-C3N4, ZnIn2S4, and 20% ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 were 1.23, 0.57 and 3.69mmol/(gcath), respectively. The h(+) and O2(-) were found to be the dominant active species for 2,4-D decomposition. The photocatalytic degradation pathways of 2,4-D by ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation were explored. The ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 composite displayed high photostability in recycling tests, reflecting its promising potential as an effective visible light photocatalyst for 2,4-D treatment.

Titanium dioxide and cadmium sulfide co-sensitized graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets composite photocatalysts with superior performance in phenol degradation under visible-light irradiation

In this work, TiO2-CdS-gCNNSs heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully synthesized. CdS was deposited on the surface of gCNNSs via electrostatic attraction; TiOC, TiOCO and TiON bonds were produced in TiO2-CdS-gCNNSs, strengthening the interaction between TiO2 and gCNNSs. The TiO2-CdS-gCNNSs photocatalyst showed excellent photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under visible-light irradiation, which was higher than that of CdS-gCNNSs, CdS-TiO2 and TiO2-gCNNSs. The improved photocatalytic performance of TiO2-CdS-gCNNSs was ascribed to more adsorption sites, enhanced light harvesting ability and effective separation rate of electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, the results of photocatalytic mechanism indicated that h+ and O2- played a more significant role on the phenol degradation.

Enhancement of photocatalytic decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid on CeO2/In2O3

CeO2-doped indium oxide photocatalysts (xCeO2/In2O3) with various CeO2 doping amounts were synthesized and systematically characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectra, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and photocurrent measurements. The as-obtained xCeO2/In2O3 photocatalysts were used in photocatalytic degradation of PFOA for the first time and much higher photocatalytic activity of xCeO2/In2O3 than CeO2 and In2O3 was obtained under UV light irradiation. The excellent photocatalytic activity of 0.86% CeO2/In2O3 could be mainly derived from effective inhibition of recombination of photo-induced electron-holes caused by the charge transfer between CeO2 and In2O3. Moreover, the 0.86% CeO2/In2O3 catalyst showed excellent photocatalytic stability in cycling runs for the photocatalytic degradation of PFOA, providing a great potential of CeO2/In2O3 catalysts for PFOA treatment.

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic nitrogen fixation over semicrystalline graphitic carbon nitride: Oxygen and sulfur co-doping for crystal and electronic structure modulation

Oxygen and sulfur co-doped semicrystalline graphitic carbon nitride (HGCNOS) was synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method and applied in visible-light photocatalytic nitrogen fixation. Remarkably, HGCNOS exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity than pristine graphitic carbon nitride (GCN). Oxygen doping caused semicrystalline structure, making exciton dissociated at the order-disorder interfaces of HGCNOS and releasing more electrons and holes. Furthermore, the conduction band position of HGCNOS was elevated by sulfur doping, promoting the reduction ability of HGCNOS. Thus, the special electronic and physicochemical structure of HGCNOS contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic activity, facilitating its application on nitrogen photofixation.

Macroscopic urea-functionalized cadmium sulfide material with high visible-light photocatalytic activity for rewritable paper application

A macroscopic urea-functionalized CdS (CdS-U) is synthesized for the first time. The CdS-U material is formed through the interaction between NH2/NH groups on urea and COO- groups on sodium oleate-capped CdS nanoparticles (CdS-So NPs). The CdS-U material exhibites excellent visible light photocatalytic activity and plasticity and has the potential to be produced as rewritable papers. It is convenience to produce a large-scale film by CdS-U. Letters can be written on the CdS-U film and disappear through a dissolution-irradiation process, and then the CdS-U film can be recycled by drying. This novel CdS-U material might be of interest and provide a new chance to advance the application of visible light photocatalyst on rewritable papers.