New Application of Z‑Scheme Ag₃PO₄/g‑C₃N₄ Composite in Converting CO₂ to Fuel

This research was designed for the first time to investigate the activities of photocatalytic composite, Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄, in converting CO₂ to fuels under simulated sunlight irradiation. The composite was synthesized using a simple <i>in situ</i> deposition method and characterized by various techniques including Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and an electrochemical method. Thorough investigation indicated that the composite consisted of Ag₃PO₄, Ag, and g-C₃N₄. The introduction of Ag₃PO₄ on g-C₃N₄ promoted its light absorption performance. However, more significant was the formation of heterojunction structure between Ag₃PO₄ and g-C₃N₄, which efficiently promoted the separation of electron–hole pairs by a Z-scheme mechanism and ultimately enhanced the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction performance of the Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄. The optimal Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst showed a CO₂ conversion rate of 57.5 μmol<b>·</b>h^–1<b>·</b>g_cat^–1, which was 6.1 and 10.4 times higher than those of g-C₃N₄ and P25, respectively, under simulated sunlight irradiation. The work found a new application of the photocatalyst, Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄, in simultaneous environmental protection and energy production

The oxidative degradation of chitosan, (A) H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.35 µmol), Na₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.35 µmol) and H₂O₂ without any additives.

<p>(C) (TBA)₃{PO₄[WO(O₂)₂]₄} (1.05 µmol), K₂[W₂O₃(O₂)₄] (2.1 µmol) and H₂O₂ without any additives. (D) Na₂WO₄ (4.2 µmol), (NH₄)₂WO₄ (4. 2 µmol) and K₂[W₂O₃(O₂)₄] (2.1 µmol). Under the same reaction conditions: H₂O₂ (1 mL), H₂O(5 mL), 20 min. (B) Recycling of the filtrate at 65°C, 1 mL H₂O₂.</p

The characters of chitosan and the LMWSC, XRD patterns (A), and the effect of the reaction time on the Mv of LMWSC (B).

<p>The characters of chitosan and the LMWSC, XRD patterns (A), and the effect of the reaction time on the Mv of LMWSC (B).</p

The chemical structure of peroxo species.

<p>The chemical structure of peroxo species.</p

The catalytic activity of the filtrate and the catalyst.

<p>The filtrate (A) and the catalyst (B), 0.0125 mmol (TBA)₃{PO₄[WO(O₂)₂]₄}, 1 mL H₂O₂, 65°C.</p

The characterization of chitosan and the LMWSC, FTIR spectra (A) and DRS patterns (B).

<p>The characterization of chitosan and the LMWSC, FTIR spectra (A) and DRS patterns (B).</p

The mechanism of degradation of chitosan.

<p>The mechanism of degradation of chitosan.</p

Triptycene-Based Polymer-Incorporated Cd<i>_x</i>Zn_1–<i>x</i>S Nanorod with Enhanced Interfacial Charge Transfer for Stable Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production in Seawater

Solar-driven hydrogen (H2) generation from seawater exhibits great economic value in addressing the urgent energy shortage yet faces challenges from the severe salt-deactivation effect, which could result in the consumption of photoinduced charges and decomposition of catalysts. Herein, a triptycene-based polymer was coated on the surface of a CdxZn1–xS nanorod to form a core–shell heterojunction (TCP@CZS) by using the in situ Suzuki reaction for photocatalytic H2 production from water/seawater splitting. The introduction of TCP can provide a large surface area, enrich the active site, and boost charge transfer for the proton reduction reaction. Benefiting from it, optimal TCP@CZS indicated a H2 evolution rate of 93.88 mmol h–1 g–1 with Na2S/Na2SO3 in natural seawater under simulated solar light irradiation, which was 2.2 and 1.1 times higher than that of pure Cd0.6Zn0.4S and that in pure water, respectively. Besides, the apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of TCP@CZS-3 under 420 nm light irradiation was 22.6% in seawater. This work highlights the feasibility of the triptycene-based porous organic polymer as an efficient catalyst for solar energy conversion in seawater

Synthesis, Characterization, and Activity Evaluation of DyVO₄/g‑C₃N₄ Composites under Visible-Light Irradiation

DyVO₄/graphitic carbon nitride (DyVO₄/g-C₃N₄) composite photocatalyst with visible-light response was prepared by a milling and heating treatment method. The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, N₂ adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The activity of composite photocatalyst DyVO₄/g-C₃N₄ for photodegradation of rhodamine B is much higher than that of either single-phase g-C₃N₄ or DyVO₄. The obviously increased performance of DyVO₄/g-C₃N₄ is mainly ascribed to the electron–hole separation enhancement at the interface of the two semiconductors, as proven by photoluminescence spectroscopy and photocurrent measurement. In addition, it is found that holes and ^•O₂^– are the main active species in the photocatalytic oxidation of RhB solution in the presence of DyVO₄/g-C₃N₄ composite

Ornithischian left ilia in lateral view.

<p>All figures are just outlines, similar but not identical to the original image. All figures are for illustrative purposes only. Outlines are not to scale. A1, <i>Heterodontosaurus tucki</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref045" target="_blank">45</a>]; A2, <i>Othnielia rex</i>, from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref046" target="_blank">46</a>]; A3, <i>Hypsilophidon foxii</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref034" target="_blank">34</a>]; A4, <i>Hexinlusaurus multidens</i>, based on ZDMT 6001, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref047" target="_blank">47</a>]; A5 <i>Agilisaurus louderbacki</i>, based on ZDMT 6011, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref047" target="_blank">47</a>]; A6, <i>Jeholosaurus shangyuanensis</i>, based on IVPP V15939, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref020" target="_blank">20</a>]; B1, <i>Tenontosaurus tilleti</i> outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref048" target="_blank">48</a>]; B2, <i>Dryosaurus altus</i>, based on HNM dy II, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref049" target="_blank">49</a>]; B3, <i>Camptosaurus dispar</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref050" target="_blank">50</a>]; B4, <i>Iguanodon atherfieldensis</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref050" target="_blank">50</a>], 1990; B5, <i>Ouranosaurus nigeriensis</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref050" target="_blank">50</a>], 1990; C1, <i>Gryposaurus incurvimanus</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref051" target="_blank">51</a>]; C2, <i>Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus</i>, based on FMNH P27393, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref052" target="_blank">52</a>]; C3, <i>Corythosaurus casuarius</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref053" target="_blank">53</a>]; C4, <i>Gilmoreosaurus mongoliensis</i>, based on AMNH 6551, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref052" target="_blank">52</a>]; C5, <i>Brachylophosaurus canadensis</i>, based on MOR794, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref054" target="_blank">54</a>]; C6, <i>Edmontosaurus regalis</i>, based on ROM 5167, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref051" target="_blank">51</a>]; C7, <i>Saurolophus osborni</i>, based on AMNH 5220, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref051" target="_blank">51</a>]; C8, <i>Maiasaura peeblesorum</i>, based on MOR unnumbered, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref054" target="_blank">54</a>]; C9, <i>Kritosaurus navajovius</i>, based on TMM 42309–2, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref054" target="_blank">54</a>]; D1, <i>Homocephale calathocercos</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref021" target="_blank">21</a>]; E1, <i>Yinlong downsi</i>, based on IVPP V18637; E2, <i>Psittacosaurus neimongoliensis</i>, based on IVPP 12-0888-2, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref055" target="_blank">55</a>]; E3, <i>Archaeoceratops oshimai</i>, based on IVPP V11114, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref024" target="_blank">24</a>]; E4, <i>Auroraceratops rugosus</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref029" target="_blank">29</a>]; E5, <i>Protoceratops andrewsi</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref006" target="_blank">6</a>]; E6, <i>Leptoceratops gracillis</i>, based on NMC 8889, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref056" target="_blank">56</a>]; E7, <i>Montanoceratops cerorhynchus</i>, based on AMNH 6466, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref028" target="_blank">28</a>]; F1, <i>Centrosaurus</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref057" target="_blank">57</a>]; F2, <i>Chasmosaurus belli</i>, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref058" target="_blank">58</a>]; F3, <i>Triceratops horridus</i>, based on YPM 1821, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref059" target="_blank">59</a>]; F4, <i>Styracosaurus albertensis</i>, based on AMNH 5372, outlined from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144148#pone.0144148.ref060" target="_blank">60</a>]; upper: <i>Ischioceratops zhuchengensis</i>, based on ZCDM V0016.</p