Photocatalytic inactivation of viruses using graphitic carbon nitride-based photocatalysts:Virucidal performance and mechanism

The prevalence of lethal viral infections necessitates the innovation of novel disinfection techniques for contaminated surfaces, air, and wastewater as significant transmission media of disease. The instigated research has led to the development of photocatalysis as an effective renewable solar-driven technology relying on the reactive oxidative species, mainly hydroxyl (OH●) and superoxide (O2●−) radicals, for rupturing the capsid shell of the virus and loss of pathogenicity. Metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), which possesses a visible light active bandgap structure, low toxicity, and high thermal stability, has recently attracted attention for viral inactivation. In addition, g-C3N4-based photocatalysts have also experienced a renaissance in many domains, including environment, energy conversion, and biomedical applications. Herein, we discuss the three aspects of the antiviral mechanism, intending to highlight the advantages of photocatalysis over traditional viral disinfection techniques. The sole agenda of the review is to summarize the significant research on g-C3N4-based photocatalysts for viral inactivation by reactive oxidative species generation. An evaluation of the photocatalysis operational parameters affecting viral inactivation kinetics is presented. An overview of the prevailing challenges and sustainable solutions is presented to fill in the existing knowledge gaps. Given the merits of graphitic carbon nitride and the heterogeneous photocatalytic viral inactivation mechanism, we hope that further research will contribute to preventing the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and future calamities

A Review on Carbon Quantum Dots Modified g-C3N4-Based Photocatalysts and Potential Application in Wastewater Treatment

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are a fascinating class of carbon nanomaterials (less than 10 nm in size) with unique optical, electrical, and physicochemical properties. In addition to these properties, CQDs exhibit the desired advantages of aqueous stability, low toxicity, high surface area, economic feasibility, chemical inertness, and highly tunable photoluminescence behaviour. Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has appeared as one of the required stable carbon-based polymers due to its varied applications in several fields. In this regard, modification strategies have been made in the g-C3N4 semiconductor using CQDs to enhance the adsorptive and photocatalytic activity. In comparison to other semiconductor quantum dots, g-C3N4 shows strong fluorescent properties, such as wide excitation spectra, photostability, and tunable photo-luminescent emission spectra. The interaction inside this multicomponent photocatalyst further promotes the photocatalytic activity by improving charge transference, which plays a vital role in electrochemistry. Therefore, CQDs are auspicious nanomaterials in the field of photocatalysis, wastewater treatment and water adsorption treatment. This particular article featured the recent progression in the field of CDs/g-C3N4-based photocatalysts focusing on their luminescent mechanism and potential applications in wastewater treatment

A Review on Carbon Quantum Dots Modified g-C₃N₄-Based Photocatalysts and Potential Application in Wastewater Treatment

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are a fascinating class of carbon nanomaterials (less than 10 nm in size) with unique optical, electrical, and physicochemical properties. In addition to these properties, CQDs exhibit the desired advantages of aqueous stability, low toxicity, high surface area, economic feasibility, chemical inertness, and highly tunable photoluminescence behaviour. Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has appeared as one of the required stable carbon-based polymers due to its varied applications in several fields. In this regard, modification strategies have been made in the g-C3N4 semiconductor using CQDs to enhance the adsorptive and photocatalytic activity. In comparison to other semiconductor quantum dots, g-C3N4 shows strong fluorescent properties, such as wide excitation spectra, photostability, and tunable photo-luminescent emission spectra. The interaction inside this multicomponent photocatalyst further promotes the photocatalytic activity by improving charge transference, which plays a vital role in electrochemistry. Therefore, CQDs are auspicious nanomaterials in the field of photocatalysis, wastewater treatment and water adsorption treatment. This particular article featured the recent progression in the field of CDs/g-C3N4-based photocatalysts focusing on their luminescent mechanism and potential applications in wastewater treatment

Boosting light-driven CO2 reduction into solar fuels: Mainstream avenues for engineering ZnO-based photocatalysts

International audienceThe realization of artificial photosynthesis in the photocatalytic CO2 transformation into valuable chemicals or solar fuels, such as CO, CH4 , HCOOH, and CH3OH, by solar-light harvesting is a promising solution to both global-warming and energy-supply issues. Recently, zinc oxide (ZnO) has emerged as an excellent oxidative photocatalyst among non-titanium metal oxides due to its availability, outstanding semiconducting and optical properties, non-toxicity, affordability, and ease of synthesis. However, ZnO wide bandgap and inability to absorb in the visible region has demanded particular modification for its practical use as a sustainable photocatalyst. This review provides a panorama of the latest advancement on ZnO photocatalysis for CO2 reduction with an overview of fundamental aspects. Various modification strategies such as transition metal and non-metal doping, loading of plasmonic metals, and surface vacancy engineering for tunning the properties and improving the performance of ZnO are elaborated. Composites or hetero-structuralization-based Z-scheme formation is also presented along with a detailed photocatalytic reduction mechanism. Moreover, a new novel Step-scheme (Sscheme) heterostructure modification with a charge transfer pathway mechanism is also highlighted. Finally, the key challenges and new directions in this field are proposed to provide a new vision for further improvement for ZnO-based photocatalytic CO2 conversion