Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response
Photocatalytic technology has been considered as an efficient protocol to drive chemical reactions in a sustainable and green way. With the assistance of semiconductor-based materials, heterogeneous photocatalysis converts solar energy directly into chemical energy that can be readily stored. It has...
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| author | Nan Cao Meilan Xi Xiaoli Li Jinfang Zheng Limei Qian Yitao Dai Xizhong Song Shengliang Hu |
| author_facet | Nan Cao Meilan Xi Xiaoli Li Jinfang Zheng Limei Qian Yitao Dai Xizhong Song Shengliang Hu |
| author_sort | Nan Cao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Photocatalytic technology has been considered as an efficient protocol to drive chemical reactions in a sustainable and green way. With the assistance of semiconductor-based materials, heterogeneous photocatalysis converts solar energy directly into chemical energy that can be readily stored. It has been employed in several fields including CO<sub>2</sub> reduction, H<sub>2</sub>O splitting, and organic synthesis. Given that near-infrared (NIR) light occupies 47% of sunlight, photocatalytic systems with a NIR response are gaining more and more attention. To enhance the solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency, precise regulation of the symmetric/asymmetric nanostructures and band structures of NIR-response photocatalysts is indispensable. Under the irradiation of NIR light, the symmetric nano-morphologies (e.g., rod-like core-shell shape), asymmetric electronic structures (e.g., defect levels in band gap) and asymmetric heterojunctions (e.g., PN junctions, semiconductor-metal or semiconductor-dye composites) of designed photocatalytic systems play key roles in promoting the light absorption, the separation of electron/hole pairs, the transport of charge carriers to the surface, or the rate of surface photocatalytic reactions. This review will comprehensively analyze the four main synthesis protocols for the fabrication of NIR-response photocatalysts with improved reaction performance. The design methods involve bandgap engineering for the direct utilization of NIR photoenergy, the up-conversion of NIR light into ultraviolet/visible light, and the photothermal effect by converting NIR photons into local heat. Additionally, challenges and perspectives for the further development of heterogeneous photocatalysts with NIR response are also discussed based on their potential applications. |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:27:19Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-edd7cab3f73b4050a63f24b8abfa38752023-11-24T02:52:30ZengMDPI AGSymmetry2073-89942022-10-011410210710.3390/sym14102107Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared ResponseNan Cao0Meilan Xi1Xiaoli Li2Jinfang Zheng3Limei Qian4Yitao Dai5Xizhong Song6Shengliang Hu7Jiangxi Fangzhu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xinyu 338000, ChinaJiangxi Fangzhu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xinyu 338000, ChinaJiangxi Nafutang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yichung 336000, ChinaXinyu Comprehensive Inspection and Testing Center, Xinyu 338000, ChinaJiangxi Fangzhu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xinyu 338000, ChinaJiangxi Fangzhu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xinyu 338000, ChinaJiangxi Fangzhu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xinyu 338000, ChinaXinyu Comprehensive Inspection and Testing Center, Xinyu 338000, ChinaPhotocatalytic technology has been considered as an efficient protocol to drive chemical reactions in a sustainable and green way. With the assistance of semiconductor-based materials, heterogeneous photocatalysis converts solar energy directly into chemical energy that can be readily stored. It has been employed in several fields including CO<sub>2</sub> reduction, H<sub>2</sub>O splitting, and organic synthesis. Given that near-infrared (NIR) light occupies 47% of sunlight, photocatalytic systems with a NIR response are gaining more and more attention. To enhance the solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency, precise regulation of the symmetric/asymmetric nanostructures and band structures of NIR-response photocatalysts is indispensable. Under the irradiation of NIR light, the symmetric nano-morphologies (e.g., rod-like core-shell shape), asymmetric electronic structures (e.g., defect levels in band gap) and asymmetric heterojunctions (e.g., PN junctions, semiconductor-metal or semiconductor-dye composites) of designed photocatalytic systems play key roles in promoting the light absorption, the separation of electron/hole pairs, the transport of charge carriers to the surface, or the rate of surface photocatalytic reactions. This review will comprehensively analyze the four main synthesis protocols for the fabrication of NIR-response photocatalysts with improved reaction performance. The design methods involve bandgap engineering for the direct utilization of NIR photoenergy, the up-conversion of NIR light into ultraviolet/visible light, and the photothermal effect by converting NIR photons into local heat. Additionally, challenges and perspectives for the further development of heterogeneous photocatalysts with NIR response are also discussed based on their potential applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/14/10/2107heterogeneous photocatalysisnear-infrared lightsymmetric/asymmetric nanostructuresnarrow bandgapup-conversionphotothermal effect |
| spellingShingle | Nan Cao Meilan Xi Xiaoli Li Jinfang Zheng Limei Qian Yitao Dai Xizhong Song Shengliang Hu Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response Symmetry heterogeneous photocatalysis near-infrared light symmetric/asymmetric nanostructures narrow bandgap up-conversion photothermal effect |
| title | Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response |
| title_full | Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response |
| title_fullStr | Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response |
| title_short | Recent Developments in Heterogeneous Photocatalysts with Near-Infrared Response |
| title_sort | recent developments in heterogeneous photocatalysts with near infrared response |
| topic | heterogeneous photocatalysis near-infrared light symmetric/asymmetric nanostructures narrow bandgap up-conversion photothermal effect |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/14/10/2107 |
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