Mengye Wang

p-n Heterojunction photoelectrodes composed of Cu2O-loaded TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photoelectrocatalytic activities

Cu2O/TiO2 p–n heterojunction photoelectrodes were prepared by depositing different amounts of p-type Cu2O nanoparticles on n-type TiO2 nanotube arrays (i.e., forming Cu2O/TiO2 composite nanotubes) via an ultrasonication-assisted sequential chemical bath deposition. The success of deposition of Cu2O nanoparticles was corroborated by structural and composition characterizations. The enhanced absorption in the visible light region was observed in Cu2O/TiO2 composite nanotubes. The largely improved separation of photogenerated electrons and holes was revealed by photocurrent measurements. Consequently, Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction photoelectrodes exhibited a more effective photoconversion capability than TiO2 nanotubes alone in photoelectrochemical measurements. Furthermore, Cu2O/TiO2 composite photoelectrodes also possessed superior photoelectrocatalytic activity and stability in the degradation of Rhodamine B. Intriguingly, by selecting an appropriate bias potential, a synergistic effect between electricity and visible light irradiation can be achieved.

Inorganic-modified semiconductor TiO2 nanotube arrays for photocatalysis

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a promising physicochemical process for the photodegradation of organic contaminants and bacterial detoxification. Among various oxide semiconductor photocatalysts, TiO2 has garnered considerable attention because of its outstanding properties including strong oxidizing activity, chemical and mechanical stability, corrosion resistance, and nontoxicity. This Review briefly introduces the key mechanisms of photocatalysis, highlights the recent developments pertaining to pure TiO2 nanotube arrays and TiO2 nanotube arrays modified by non-metals, metals and semiconductors, and their applications in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. The improved photocatalytic efficiencies of modified TiO2 nanotube arrays are compared with unmodified counterparts. Current challenges and prospective areas of interest in this rich field are also presented.

High efficiency perovskite solar cells: from complex nanostructure to planar heterojunction

Perovskite solar cells have garnered great attention in recent years as promising high performance next-generation solar cells with long-term stability at low cost. Since the seminal work of Miyasaka and others in 2009, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has rapidly increased from 3.8% to 15% over the past four years, exceeding the highest efficiency of conventional organic dye-sensitized DSSCs. Recently, the perovskite has been demonstrated to act successfully as an active layer in simple planar-heterojunction solar cells with no need of complex nanostructured DSSC architectures, leading to an attractively high PCE of 15.4% at a competitive low manufacturing cost. In this Feature Article, we aim to review the recent impressive development in perovskite solar cells, and discuss the prognosis for future progress in exploiting perovskite materials for high efficiency solar cells.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis and visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of Fe-incorporated TiO2 nanotube array photocatalysts

Fe incorporated TiO(2) nanotube arrays (Fe-TiO(2)NTs) were prepared by an ultrasound-assisted impregnating-calcination method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) indicated that α-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles were deposited into the TiO(2) nanotubes, and in the mean time, some Fe(3+) ions were doped into TiO(2) lattice. The absorption of Fe-TiO(2)NTs in the visible light region increased with the increase of Fe content. The photocatalytic activity of Fe-TiO(2)NTs was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results demonstrated that the Fe-TiO(2)NTs exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO(2)NTs. Photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses further confirmed that the increased photocatalytic activity of the Fe-TiO(2)NTs was attributed to an enhanced separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.

Strictly Biphasic Soft and Hard Janus Structures: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Janus structures, named after the ancient two-faced Roman god Janus, comprise two hemistructures (e.g. hemispheres) with different compositions and functionalities. Much research has been carried out over the past few years on Janus structures because of the intriguing properties and promising potential applications of these unusually shaped materials. This Review discusses recent progress made in the synthesis, properties, and applications of strictly biphasic Janus structures possessing symmetrical structures but made of disparate materials. Depending on the chemical compositions, such biphasic structures can be categorized into soft, hard, and hybrid soft/hard Janus structures of different architectures, including spheres, rodlike, disclike, or any other shape. The main synthetic routes to soft, hard, and hybrid soft/hard Janus structures are summarized and their unique properties and applications are introduced. The perspectives for future research and development are also described.

A facile hydrothermal deposition of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotube arrays for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

ZnFe2O4 coupled TiO2 nanotube arrays (ZnFe2O4–TiO2 NTAs) were synthesized by modifying TiO2 nanotube arrays with ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Self-organized TiO2 NTAs with a tube diameter of 100 nm and length of 400 nm were prepared by an electrochemical anodization method. ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes through a facile hydrothermal route. The modification of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles extended the photoresponse of TiO2 nanotube arrays into the visible light region. Under visible light irradiation, a 12-fold enhancement in photocatalytic activity was achieved using ZnFe2O4–TiO2 NTAs compared with TiO2 NTAs. The enhanced photogenerated electron–hole separation and improved transfer of photogenerated charge carriers were responsible for the increased photocatalytic activity of ZnFe2O4–TiO2 NTAs. This approach provides a simple method for synthesizing a variety of nanoparticle-modified one-dimensional nanomaterials.

Plasmon‐Mediated Solar Energy Conversion via Photocatalysis in Noble Metal/Semiconductor Composites

Plasmonics has remained a prominent and growing field over the past several decades. The coupling of various chemical and photo phenomenon has sparked considerable interest in plasmon‐mediated photocatalysis. Given plasmonic photocatalysis has only been developed for a relatively short period, considerable progress has been made in improving the absorption across the full solar spectrum and the efficiency of photo‐generated charge carrier separation. With recent advances in fundamental (i.e., mechanisms) and experimental studies (i.e., the influence of size, geometry, surrounding dielectric field, etc.) on plasmon‐mediated photocatalysis, the rational design and synthesis of metal/semiconductor hybrid nanostructure photocatalysts has been realized. This review seeks to highlight the recent impressive developments in plasmon‐mediated photocatalytic mechanisms (i.e., Schottky junction, direct electron transfer, enhanced local electric field, plasmon resonant energy transfer, and scattering and heating effects), summarize a set of factors (i.e., size, geometry, dielectric environment, loading amount and composition of plasmonic metal, and nanostructure and properties of semiconductors) that largely affect plasmonic photocatalysis, and finally conclude with a perspective on future directions within this rich field of research.

One‐Dimensional Densely Aligned Perovskite‐Decorated Semiconductor Heterojunctions with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

By using one-dimensional rutile TiO(2) nanorod arrays as the structure-directing scaffold as well as the TiO(2) source to two consecutive hydrothermal reactions, densely aligned SrTiO(3) -modified rutile TiO(2) heterojunction photocatalysts are crafted for the first time. The first hydrothermal processing yielded nanostructured rutile TiO(2) with the hollow openings on the top of nanorods (i.e., partially etched rutile TiO(2) nanorod arrays; denoted PE-TNRAs). The subsequent second hydrothermal treatment in the presence of Sr(2+) transforms the surface of partially etched rutile TiO(2) nanorods into SrTiO(3) nanoparticles via the concurrent dissolution of TiO(2) and precipitation of SrTiO(3) while retaining the cylindrical shape (i.e., forming SrTiO(3) -decorated rutile TiO(2) composite nanorods; denoted STO-TNRAs). The structural and composition characterizations substantiate the success in achieving STO-TNRA nanostructures. In comparison to PE-TNRAs, STO-TNRA photocatalysts exhibit higher photocurrents and larger photocatalytic degradation rates of methylene blue (3.21 times over PE-TNRAs) under UV light illumination as a direct consequence of improved charge carrier mobility and enhanced electron/hole separation. Such 1D perovskite-decorated semiconductor nanoarrays are very attractive for optoelectronic applications in photovoltaics, photocatalytic hydrogen production, among other areas.

Hollow titanium dioxide spheres as anode material for lithium ion battery with largely improved rate stability and cycle performance by suppressing the formation of solid electrolyte interface layer

By subjecting amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2) colloidal spheres as a scaffold to a two-step external template-free hydrothermal treatment, anatase TiO2 hollow spheres with an average diameter of 410 nm and shell thickness of 65 nm were successfully yielded. Such hollow TiO2 nanostructures possessed a large surface area, abundant active sites and reduced Li ion diffusion path and thus were highly favorable for use in TiO2-based lithium ion batteries (LIB). Electrochemical measurements revealed that as-prepared TiO2 hollow spheres exhibited specific discharge capacities of 296, 185, 118, 66 and 37 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C, 1 C, 2 C, 5 C and 10 C, respectively. This is in sharp contrast to the considerably lower values obtained in TiO2 solid nanoparticles (i.e., 182, 119, 81, 43 18 mA h g−1 at discharge rates of 0.1 C, 1 C, 2 C, 5 C and 1 0 C, respectively). Interestingly, TiO2 hollow spheres showed a large irreversible capacity loss and relatively low cycling performance due to the residual chemisorbed water in TiO2 and hydroxyl groups present on the TiO2 surface. A solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer composed primarily of Li2CO3, lithium alkyl carbonates and organic phosphates was thus formed on the surface of hollow TiO2 spheres, thereby leading to an increased internal cell impedance and the decreased rate and cycling performance. The subsequent high-temperature annealing effectively removed chemisorbed water and hydroxyls on the TiO2 surface. As a consequence, annealed TiO2 hollow spheres rendered markedly improved rate stability and cycle performance in the resulting TiO2-based LIBs. The specific discharge capacities at rates of 5 C and 10 C were 77 mA h g−1 and 50 mA h g−1, which are considerably larger than those obtained from as-prepared TiO2 hollow spheres. Moreover, compared to only 42.1% for as-prepared hollow TiO2 spheres, a capacity retention as high as 93.5% over 200 cycles at 1 C was achieved for annealed hollow TiO2 spheres.

An ultrasound-assisted deposition of NiO nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotube arrays for enhanced photocatalytic activity

An ultrasound-assisted deposition technique was adopted to construct NiO nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotube arrays (NiO–TiO2 NTAs) which were prepared by three-step electrochemical anodization in an ethylene glycol system. The NiO nanoparticles were found to deposit on the surface of the highly oriented TiO2 nanotubes. NiO–TiO2 NTAs exhibited improved photochemical capability under UV irradiation. Compared with TiO2 NTAs, a more than 2.56-fold enhancement in photocurrent response was achieved using the NiO–TiO2 NTAs. The maximum incident photon to charge carrier generation efficiency (IPCE) values of NiO–TiO2 NTAs and TiO2 NTAs were 83.5% and 22.2%, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of NiO–TiO2 NTAs were evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution. The kinetic constant of photocatalytic degradation of MB using NiO–TiO2 NTAs prepared by ultrasonic deposition for 1.0 h was 1.9 times higher than that using TiO2 NTAs. The enhanced photocurrent response and photocatalytic activity with NiO–TiO2 NTAs were attributed to the formation of the NiO–TiO2 p–n junctions.