Perfectlight Technology Research Paper Awards: May Top Literature Summary

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Every month, Perfectlight Technology will announce the list of papers that received rewards in the previous month in early month, making it easy for everyone to quickly understand the recent outstanding articles published in the field of photocatalysis.

Let's take a look at the achievements for May.

First Author

Xue Ma

Corresponding Author

Chenghe Fa, Peking University

Highlights of the Article

The study found that due to the unique triexciton behavior of ReS₂ co-catalysts, a double-electron catalytic reaction occurred in this photocatalytic system, greatly increasing the hydrogen production rate. The closely bound excitons in ReS₂ co-catalysts can easily capture photogenerated electrons in the photocatalytic system, forming triexcitons. The inner shell of g-C₃N₄ and the middle shell of CdS provide enough electrons to form triexcitons. The active edge sites of ReS₂ are also conducive to hydrogen generation and desorption, creating favorable conditions for double-electron catalytic reactions. In addition, oxidation and reduction reactions occur inside and outside the hollow spherical nanoshell, effectively inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Compared to the widely used platinum (Pt) co-catalysts, the unique triexciton behavior of ReS₂ changes the interface catalytic reaction mode for photocatalytic hydrogen production, providing a new approach to enhance the activity of the g-C₃N₄ photocatalytic system.

First Author

Chunxue Li

Corresponding Authors

Guangfu Liao, Zhuwu Jiang, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

Highlights of the Article

1. Successfully constructed an S-type heterojunction that is favorable for photocatalytic hydrogen production from both a kinetic and thermodynamic perspective.

2. The photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of 15% LDH/1% Ni-ZCS reached as high as 6584.0 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹.

3. In-situ XPS and theoretical calculations revealed the migration pathways of photogenerated charge carriers and the mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity.

First Authors

Yanbiao Shi, Hongwei Shou

Corresponding Authors

Lizhi Zhang, Hao Li, Hongwei Sun, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Highlights of the Article

The authors developed a thermally driven ammonium oxalate decomposition strategy to prepare surface-deficient, homogeneous N-doped BiOCl atomic layers (BiOCl-N-OV). These layers can decompose real seawater to produce stoichiometric CO (92.8 µmol·h⁻¹) and HClO (83.2 µmol·h⁻¹) under sunlight, with a product selectivity of over 90%. Continuous testing in real seawater showed that the BiOCl-N-OV atomic layers could still maintain excellent catalytic activity, stability, and selectivity after 40 hours of reaction. This is mainly because real seawater can maintain a solution pH of 4.2, avoiding catalyst deactivation caused by alkali metal cation deposition. As an example, this system synthesized HClO disinfectant on-site for ballast water disinfection on ocean-going vessels, effectively inactivating typical bacteria in ballast water.

First Author

Jiachao Shen

Corresponding Authors

Chengbin Liu, Haifang Tang, Hao Zhang, Hunan University

Highlights of the Article

This article constructs a single-atomic Cu-bridged C₃N₄ sheet (SA-Cu-CN-620) photocatalyst with abundant N vacancies through the self-assembly of Cu precursors and melamine-uric acid monomers. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that Cu atoms are embedded between C₃N₄ sheets, forming a Cu-N₃C₁ structure, which is different from the in-plane structure of single-atomic metals in C₃N₄. In addition, N vacancies in C₃N₄ can be controlled by a gradient temperature. This study also investigated the effects of defect structures in C₃N₄ on interlayer charge transport for the first time.

First Author

Li Wenlu

Corresponding Authors

Zhu Yongfa and Wei Zhen, Tsinghua University

Highlights

This study selected polyimide (PDI) polymers with broad spectral response and deep energy band positions. The interface electric field constructed by the dual cocatalysts Co₃O₄ and Pt provided directional driving forces for the migration of photogenerated holes and electrons to Co₃O₄ and Pt, enhancing the spatial charge separation efficiency for water oxidation. Additionally, Co₃O₄, as an active site for water oxidation, also improved the utilization of surface photogenerated holes. As a result, the photocatalytic water oxidation ability under visible light irradiation was significantly enhanced, with an O₂ yield of 24.4 mmol·g^-1·h^-1, a quantum yield of oxygen production reaching 6.9% at 420 nm, and remaining at 1.2% at 590 nm. This research provides valuable insights into the cocatalyst's role and mechanism.

First Authors

Jiang Zhihui, Wang Pei, Liang Guijie, Wen Xinling

Corresponding Author

Wang Shengyao, Huazhong Agricultural University

Highlights

1. This study proposes an interface control strategy to form semiconductor materials with different crystal structures and specific exposed surfaces through self-assembly, resulting in heterogeneous BPEPy crystals. The {010} surface has a smooth surface with an orientation of ≈180°, while the {100} surface is composed of a series of ≈90° intermolecular dihedral angle sites formed by adjacent molecules.

2. Non-homogeneous BPEPy and homogeneous catalytic centers (Co complexes) form hybrids, binding in a non-covalent manner, achieving improved catalyst stability while maintaining its photocatalytic CO₂ reduction efficiency. It exhibits a CO turnover number > 2980, selectivity > 90%, apparent quantum yield > 2.3%, and excellent stability.

First Author

Xie Zifei

Corresponding Authors

Huang Yongchao and Ji Hongbing, Guangzhou University

Highlights

By constructing a heterojunction, the charge separation kinetics of BiVO₄ are enhanced. A method with adjustable (110) and (011) crystal facets is used to deposit BiVO₄ nanoparticles (BVO) on a worm-like BiVO₄ crystal grain matrix to enhance the charge separation efficiency for BiVO₄ water oxidation and explain the mechanism of (011)/(110) facets promoting water oxidation. At the same time, the synthesis of BVO nanoparticles effectively improves the transfer efficiency of photogenerated electrons, reduces the diffusion distance and high surface energy blockages, and improves the poor stability issue. Theoretical calculations show that the heterojunction formed by (011)/(110) crystal facets not only enhances the interface carrier dynamics but also reduces the Gibbs free energy barrier for water oxidation, improving charge transfer and separation efficiency. Ultimately, the optimized NiFeO_x/BVO/BiVO₄ photocathode exhibits excellent photocurrent density (6.40 mA·cm^-2), charge separation efficiency (95.4%), and surface charge transfer efficiency (89.3%) at 1.23 V vs. RHE under visible light.

First Author

Wang Xin

Corresponding Authors

Wang Xin and Zhang Fuxiang, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Highlights

1. Size-controllable and thickness-adjustable purple phosphorus quantum dots were prepared using a two-step method.

2. The obtained purple phosphorus quantum dots have a direct bandgap of 2.06 eV and exhibit rapid charge transfer rates.

3. Purple phosphorus quantum dots were used as a new 600 nm-level photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution in water splitting, showing the highest hydrogen evolution activity among reported single-element photocatalysts.

First Authors

Liu Yazhi and Sun Yue

Corresponding Authors

Yang Shaogui, He Huan, and Chen Zupeng, Nanjing Normal University

Highlights

1. Atomic-dispersed Ag-Co bimetallic catalysts anchored on P-doped g-C₃N₄ were successfully prepared using supramolecular self-assembly and one-pot solvothermal methods.

2. The optimized 0.1Co₁Ag₁-PCN catalyst exhibited a high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of up to 1190 µmol·g^-1·h^-1, with single-atom loadings of 2.4 wt% for Ag and 0.1 wt% for Co, and an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 1.49% at 365 nm. These performances are 1.7 times and 99 times higher than those of Ag₁-CN and Co₁-PCN, respectively.

3. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that adjacent Co-N₆ and Ag-N₂C₂ sites as modulators can effectively regulate electron distribution, reduce reaction energy barriers, and accelerate the rate-determining step of H* activation, significantly improving hydrogen evolution.