Full-Spectrum Responsive Photocatalytic Materials

1 Photochemistry: from basic principles to photocatalysis

1.1 Introduction

1.2 The history and recent development of photocatalysis

1.3 Principles of photocatalysis

1.4 Semiconductor photocatalysts

1.5 Summary


2 Introduction of full spectrum responsive photocatalytic materials　　

2.1 Full spectrum (UV-VIS-NIR) responsive photocatalysis: definition, history, and advantages

2.1.1 Definition

2.1.2 The history and recent development of the full spectrum responsive photocatalysis

2.1.3 Advantages towards the utilization of solar energy

2.2 The working principles of the full spectrum responsive photocatalysis　

2.2.1 Overview of solar spectrum: UV, VIS, NIR

2.2.2 The electronic structure

2.2.3 The separation and recombination of the photo-induced carriers

2.3 Figures-of-merit for full spectrum responsive photocatalysis

2.3.1 Absorption properties

2.3.2 Apparent quantum yield (AQY)

2.3.3 Selectivity

2.3.4 Stability

2.3.5 Photocatalytic activity

2.3.6 Others

2.4 Widely used full spectrum responsive photocatalytic materials

2.4.1 Black TiO2

2.4.1.1 Preparation process

2.4.1.2 Prospects for the applications

2.4.2 ZnIn2S4 (ZIS)

2.4.2.1 Preparation process

2.4.2.2 Prospects for the applications

2.4.3 Bismuth-based photocatalysts

2.4.3.1 Preparation process

2.4.3.2 Prospects for the applications

2.4.4 Metal-free supramolecular photocatalysts

2.4.4.1 Preparation process

2.4.4.2 Prospects for the applications

2.4.5 MoSe2-based photocatalysts

2.4.5.1 Preparation process

2.4.5.2 Prospects for the applications

2.4.6 Other photocatalysts: upper conversion materials, defective metal oxides, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) substrate, etc.

2.4.6.1 Preparation process

2.4.6.2 Prospects for the applications

2.5 The comparison among the full spectrum responsive photocatalysts under different wavelength irradiations

2.6 Summary and outlook


3 Strategies to fabricate full spectrum responsive photocatalysts　

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Introducing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect

3.3 Band-gap engineering

3.4 Generation of oxygen vacancies

3.5 Doping of single and composite systems

3.6 Incorporation of upconverting materials

3.7 Implementing machine learning (ML) methods to accelerate the discovery of full spectrum responsive photocatalysts

3.8 Other approaches

3.9 Take home message about main features of the above strategies
　

4 Synthesis of full spectrum responsive photocatalysts

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Hydrothermal/solvothermal method

4.3 Calcination

4.4 Chemical precipitation method

4.5 Ultrasonication

4.6 Sol-gel method

4.7 Microwave-assisted methods

4.8 Other methods: PVD, CVD, spin-coating, etc.

4.9 Take home message considering synthesis methods
　

5 Characterization techniques of full spectrum responsive photocatalysts

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Microscopic analysis

5.2.1 Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

5.2.2 Transmission electron microscope (TEM)

5.2.3 Atomic force microscope (AFM)

5.2.4 Optical microscope

5.3 Spectroscopic analysis

5.3.1 Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or electron spin resonance (ESR)

5.3.2 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

5.3.3 UV/Vis-IR absorption spectra

5.3.4 Photoluminescence spectra

5.3.5 Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectra

5.3.6 Raman spectroscopy

5.3.7 Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

5.4 X-ray analysis

5.4.1 X-ray powder diffraction (XRD)

5.4.2 X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS)

5.5 Work function measurement

5.6 Thermal analysis

5.6.1 Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)　

5.6.2 Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

5.7 Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations

5.7.1 Computational details

5.7.2 Band alignments: HOMO and LOMO level

5.7.3 Density of states (DOS)

5.7.4 Adsorption energy

5.7.5 Activation energy

5.8 Other technique methods

5.9 Summary on the characterization methods


6 Applications in environmental remediation

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Water treatment

6.2.1 Bacterial inactivation

6.2.2 Removal of organic pollutions

6.2.3 Photoreduction of heavy metals: chromium (VI), Cd (II), Hg (II), etc.　　

6.2.4 Peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation

6.2.5 Purification of other contaminants

6.2.6 Purification of real wastewater, including organic and inorganic compounds

6.3 Air purification

6.3.1 NOx removal: oxidation and reduction

6.3.2 Decomposing volatile organic compounds (VOCs): photodegradation of HCHO, toluene, etc.

6.4 Other applications concerning the environmental remediation

6.5 Summary and Outlook


7 Applications in energy conversion

7.1 Introduction

7.2 CO2 conversion

7.2.1 CO2 photoreduction to CO

7.2.2 CO2 photoreduction to HCOOH

7.2.3 CO2 photoreduction to CH4

7.2.4 CO2 photoreduction to CH3OH

7.2.5 CO2 photoreduction to CO and CH4

7.3 H2 evolution

7.3.1 H2 evolution from water

7.3.2 H2 evolution from ammonia borane

7.3.3 H2 production via photo-reforming of bio-ethanol

7.4 N2 photo-fixation to NH3

7.5 O2 evolution

7.6 Photocatalytic organic transformations: intermediates of high-value chemicals

7.7 Summary and Outlook


8 Novel applications in drug-free sustainable photocatalytic cancer therapy

8.1 Introduction

8.2 The development of cancer drugs

8.3 Mechanisms of photocatalytic cancer therapy

8.3.1 Photothermal therapy (PTT)

8.3.2 Photodynamic therapy (PDT): oxygen-dependent process

8.3.3 Combined hole/hydrogen therapy strategy

8.4 Evaluation criteria

8.4.1 Anticancer activity

8.4.2 Change of tumor microenvironment (TME)

8.4.3 Biosafety

8.4.4 Others

8.5 Summary, Challenges, and prospects


9 Conclusion and Outlook

9.1 Limitations of the full spectrum (UV-VIS-NIR) responsive photocatalytic materials

9.1.1 Low efficiency

9.1.2 Limitations in practical applications

9.2 Strategies to address the issues

9.3 Future opportunities and outlook