Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Research in Asia

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 3722

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361024, China
Interests: photocatalysis; metal nanoparticles; perovskites; H2 evolution; selective organic transformations; CO2 reduction
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Guest Editor
Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju-gun 55338, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: electrospinning; nanofibers; nanoparticles; photocatalysis; energy storage; graphene; composite; tissue engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photocatalysis, a process that uses light to accelerate a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst, has emerged as a groundbreaking technology with the potential to address some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of our time. The significance of photocatalysis lies in its diverse applications, ranging from environmental remediation to renewable energy production. This technology harnesses solar energy, a clean and abundant resource, to drive chemical reactions that can degrade pollutants from wastewater and air, split water to produce H2, and convert CO2 into valuable fuels. The versatility and sustainability of photocatalysis make it an essential field of study in our quest for green and innovative solutions.

Asia, with its rapid industrialization and urbanization, faces unique environmental challenges and energy crises. The region's burgeoning population and economic activities have led to increased pollution and a growing demand for clean energy. Consequently, there has been a substantial and sustained interest in photocatalytic research across Asia. Researchers in this region are making significant strides in developing novel photocatalytic materials and systems to tackle these challenges. This Special Issue, "Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Research in Asia", aims to highlight the latest breakthroughs and innovations from Asian researchers, showcasing their contributions to the global scientific community. We hope this issue can provide a platform for the dissemination of cutting-edge research, facilitating the exchange of ideas, fostering collaborations among scientists, and offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of photocatalysis research in Asia.

Prof. Dr. Bo Weng
Dr. Bishweshwar Pant
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • photocatalysis
  • semiconductor
  • heterogeneous catalysis
  • solar energy conversion
  • environmental remediation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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12 pages, 3414 KiB  
Article
Mechanistic and Kinetic Insights into Hydroxyl Radical-Mediated Tetracycline Transformation in Photocatalytic Oxidation Processes
by Juanjuan Liu, Tao Sui, Yongcai Zhang, He Bian, Yi Lu and Chaosheng Zhu
Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050420 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 362
Abstract
Antibiotic pollution, particularly via tetracycline (TC), poses significant environmental risks due to its recalcitrance and potential to induce antibiotic resistance. This study employed density functional theory (DFT) and transition state theory (TST) to investigate TC degradation by hydroxyl radicals (·OH), focusing on hydrogen [...] Read more.
Antibiotic pollution, particularly via tetracycline (TC), poses significant environmental risks due to its recalcitrance and potential to induce antibiotic resistance. This study employed density functional theory (DFT) and transition state theory (TST) to investigate TC degradation by hydroxyl radicals (·OH), focusing on hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and radical adduct formation (RAF) pathways. Geometry optimizations and vibrational analysis validated stationary points, while intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations confirmed transition states. Key findings reveal that RAF pathways exhibit lower activation barriers (1.23–30.33 kJ/mol) and greater exothermicity (−164.42 kJ/mol) compared to HAT pathways (3.51–42.04 kJ/mol, −109.58 kJ/mol), making them kinetically and thermodynamically dominant. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis links HAT to TC’s HOMO (π-orbital character on aromatic rings) and RAF to its LUMO (electrophilic sites). Rate constants calculated at 298 K (TST with Wigner correction) confirm RAF’s kinetic superiority (up to 7.0 × 1011 s−1), surpassing HAT’s fastest pathway (6.2 × 1011 s−1). These insights advance the understanding of TC degradation mechanisms and help with the design of efficient photocatalytic oxidation processes for antibiotic removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Research in Asia)
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20 pages, 7890 KiB  
Article
Insights into Novel Doping Effect of Fe-Doped ZnS Nanostructures Derived from Oxystelma esculentum: Kinetics-Based Photocatalysis, Nitrogen Fixation, and Antifungal Efficacy
by Mohammad Ehtisham Khan
Catalysts 2024, 14(12), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14120888 - 4 Dec 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1072
Abstract
Implementing greener approaches is a sustainable and eco-friendly methodology for nanocomposite synthesis. This work reports the sustainable fabrication of Fe-doped ZnS (Fe0.3Zn0.7S) nanocomposite and its broad-spectrum applications. The systematic characterization was carried out using several advanced analytical techniques. DLS, [...] Read more.
Implementing greener approaches is a sustainable and eco-friendly methodology for nanocomposite synthesis. This work reports the sustainable fabrication of Fe-doped ZnS (Fe0.3Zn0.7S) nanocomposite and its broad-spectrum applications. The systematic characterization was carried out using several advanced analytical techniques. DLS, Zeta potential, SEM, XPS, and TEM performed morphological and size assessments of the engineered nanocomposite. Eventually, XRD provided valuable insights into the crystalline behavior of nanocomposite. The nanocomposites were then treated against the organic dye Safranin O, which displayed 93% degradation within an hour with the rate constant value of 0.0326 min−1. Parameters influencing the percentage degradation, such as temperature, pH, etc., were also discussed. Moreover, an LCMS test was also conducted to evaluate the presence of reactive intermediates. Safranin O’s degradation was confirmed by identifying intermediate products, such as compounds with m/z values of 335.84, 321.81, 306.79, 292.77, and 257.32, which were indicative of progressive dye breakdown. Finally, the photocatalytic enactment examination verified that the prepared nanocomposite’s nitrogen fixation rate (38.96 µmolg−1) was way greater (~4 times) than the pristine compound. In addition, prepared nanoparticles demonstrated a befitting ability to eliminate a wide range of threatening pathogenic fungi. The doping of Fe into ZnS further enhanced the inhibition against Fusarium oxysporum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Research in Asia)
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15 pages, 2973 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Photocatalytic Activity of Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
by Devendra Khadka, Prayas Gautam, Rabin Dahal, Moses D. Ashie, Hari Paudyal, Kedar Nath Ghimire, Bishweshwar Pant, Bhoj Raj Poudel, Bishnu Prasad Bastakoti and Megh Raj Pokhrel
Catalysts 2024, 14(11), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14110751 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1805
Abstract
Water pollution from dyes is a major environmental challenge, demanding advanced materials for efficient degradation. In this study, we synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using an aqueous extract of Senegalia catechu leaves and evaluated their photocatalytic activity in methylene blue (MB) dye degradation [...] Read more.
Water pollution from dyes is a major environmental challenge, demanding advanced materials for efficient degradation. In this study, we synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using an aqueous extract of Senegalia catechu leaves and evaluated their photocatalytic activity in methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under sunlight irradiation. The IONPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). XRD pattern showed a highly crystalline structure with an average crystallite size of 34.7 nm, while SEM images revealed predominantly spherical particles with uneven surface texture. Photocatalytic efficiency exceeded 80% MB dye degradation after 120 min of sunlight exposure. Optimization of catalyst dose, pH, dye concentration, and other parameters is essential for maximizing degradation efficiency. The IONPs demonstrated reusability over four degradation cycles, retaining effective photocatalytic performance. This study underscores the potential of green-synthesized IONPs as eco-friendly photocatalysts for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Research in Asia)
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