Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.2
2.4
Journals
Crystals
Special Issues
Semiconductor Photocatalysts
share announcement

Semiconductor Photocatalysts

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials for Energy Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 12131

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sibo Wang

grade E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Interests: photocatalysis; CO2 reduction; water splitting; artificial photosynthesis
Prof. Dr. Guangzhao Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Electronic Information Engineering, Yangtze Normal University, Chongqing 408100, China
Interests: first-principles calculations; 2D materials and hetero structures; optoelectronic materials and devices; photocatalysis; electrocatalysis; energy storage materials and devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tingwei Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Interests: catalytic science; quantum physics; superatom material; solar cell; photocatalysts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photocatalysts based on semiconductors are a rapidly progressing field of catalytic science, attracting a large number of chemists and physicists from all around the world. Although semiconductor materials have recently gained enormous interest in photocatalysis, more heterostructures with p–i–n-structure-based semiconductors are still rare in this field, especially for photocatalysts of CO2, H2O, H2, and N2. Under the great pressure of environmental pollution and the ongoing energy crisis, the development of low-cost devices based on semiconductors is vital to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen, carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen, and to obtain ammonia, decomposing nitrogen and hydrogen. Here, we focus on the works of heterostructures with the p–i–n structure for this Special Issue on Semiconductor Photocatalysts.

Prof. Dr. Sibo Wang
Dr. Guangzhao Wang
Dr. Tingwei Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • p–i–n structure
  • photocatalysts
  • water
  • carbon dioxide
  • ammonia
  • nitrogen and hydrogen
  • semiconductors
  • oxygen
  • catalytic science

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 183 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial: Semiconductor Photocatalysts
by Guangzhao Wang, Tingwei Zhou and Sibo Wang
Crystals 2023, 13(7), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13071109 - 16 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Since the discovery of the photocatalytic ability of TiO2 electrodes to decompose water [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiconductor Photocatalysts)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

8 pages, 2911 KiB  
Communication
First-Principle Study of Two-Dimensional SiP2 for Photocatalytic Water Splitting with Ultrahigh Carrier Mobility
by Jianping Li, Hao Pan, Haiyang Sun, Ruxin Zheng and Kai Ren
Crystals 2023, 13(6), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13060981 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1678
Abstract
Two-dimensional materials present abundant novel properties when used in advanced applications, which develops considerable focus. In this investigation, the first-principles calculations are explored to study the structural characteristic of the monolayered SiP2, which is stable even at 1200 K. The SiP [...] Read more.
Two-dimensional materials present abundant novel properties when used in advanced applications, which develops considerable focus. In this investigation, the first-principles calculations are explored to study the structural characteristic of the monolayered SiP2, which is stable even at 1200 K. The SiP2 monolayer is a semiconductor with an indirect bandgap of 2.277 eV. The decent band alignment and light absorption capacity imply that the application is a suitable photocatalyst for water splitting. Furthermore, the SiP2 monolayer possesses an ultrafast electron mobility at 33,153 cm2·V−1·s−1 in the transport direction. The excellent Gibbs free energy of the SiP2 monolayer is also addressed in an examination of the hydrogen evolution reaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiconductor Photocatalysts)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4782 KiB  
Article
Designing Black Phosphorus and Heptazine-Based Crystalline Carbon Nitride Composites for Photocatalytic Water Splitting
by Zijie Xiao, Yayun Wang, Hui Chen, Haotian Wang, Yuke Li, Yilin Chen and Yun Zheng
Crystals 2023, 13(2), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13020312 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1810
Abstract
Black phosphorus (BP) and heptazine-based crystalline carbon nitride (KPHI) composite photocatalysts were synthesized by molten salt and ultrasound-assisted liquid phase exfoliation methods. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared BP/KPHI composites were evaluated by various characterization techniques. In addition, the photocatalytic [...] Read more.
Black phosphorus (BP) and heptazine-based crystalline carbon nitride (KPHI) composite photocatalysts were synthesized by molten salt and ultrasound-assisted liquid phase exfoliation methods. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared BP/KPHI composites were evaluated by various characterization techniques. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of BP/KPHI composites for hydrogen production was investigated. The photocatalytic activity of BP/KPHI composite catalysts could be modulated by changing the loading mass ratio of BP. The BP/KPHI composite photocatalyst with a mass ratio of 10% exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity with the hydrogen production rate of 4.3 mmol g−1 h−1, about three times higher than that of pristine KPHI. Benefiting from the advantages of simplicity, rapidity, high yield and good controllability, this nanocomposite photocatalyst has the potential to serve as an excellent photocatalytic material for solar energy conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiconductor Photocatalysts)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5314 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Calcination Time on Synthesis of Nanomaterials with Small Size, High Crystalline Nature and Photocatalytic Activity in the TiO2 Nanoparticles Calcined at 500 °C
by Zahrah Alhalili and Moez Smiri
Crystals 2022, 12(11), 1629; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12111629 - 13 Nov 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2798
Abstract
The development of new materials with diverse applications that fit well in the context of the current economy, where energy issues abound, is paramount. The goal of this study was to generate materials with high photocatalytic properties, at low cost and with less [...] Read more.
The development of new materials with diverse applications that fit well in the context of the current economy, where energy issues abound, is paramount. The goal of this study was to generate materials with high photocatalytic properties, at low cost and with less energy, and without health and ecological risks. Such materials would allow for a form of sustainable development that respects nature. This study investigated the influence of calcination time on titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) produced by green synthesis using Aloe vera leaf extract under a constant temperature of 500 °C. The interaction between synthesis conditions like calcination time and the size of nanoparticles produced in relation to changes in photocatalytic activity were analyzed and discussed. The results showed that when calcination was increased at 500 °C, the synthesis of small-diameter nanoparticles was promoted. TiO2 were 23 ± 2 nm (D1) and 83 ± 5 nm (D2) after 5 h and 1 h of calcination, respectively. Moreover, the calcination duration promoted an increase in crystalline nature. In the same way, the level of reduction of azo dye Remazol Red Brilliant F3B (RR180) increased when calcination time increased, and therefore, changed the optic and photo-catalytic properties of the TiO2 nanomaterial. In addition, TiO2 nanopowders (size 23 ± 2 nm) had the higher efficiency in photodegradation (100%) of dye RR180 under visible light irradiation for 60 min for up to one hour duration, but TiO2 NPs (83 ± 5 nm) had the higher efficiency (100%) for up to two hours duration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiconductor Photocatalysts)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 2999 KiB  
Article
Stacking-Mediated Type-I/Type-II Transition in Two-Dimensional MoTe2/PtS2 Heterostructure: A First-Principles Simulation
by Kai Ren, Zhengyang Zhu, Ke Wang, Wenyi Huo and Zhen Cui
Crystals 2022, 12(3), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12030425 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3889
Abstract
Recently, a two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure has been widely investigated as a photocatalyst to decompose water using the extraordinary type-II band structure. In this work, the MoTe2/PtS2 van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) is constructed with different stacking structures. Based on density [...] Read more.
Recently, a two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure has been widely investigated as a photocatalyst to decompose water using the extraordinary type-II band structure. In this work, the MoTe2/PtS2 van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) is constructed with different stacking structures. Based on density functional calculations, the stacking-dependent electronic characteristic is explored, so that the MoTe2/PtS2 vdWH possesses type-I and type-II band structures for the light-emitting device and photocatalyst, respectively, with decent stacking configurations. The band alignment of the MoTe2/PtS2 vdWH is also addressed to obtain suitable band edge positions for water-splitting at pH 0. Furthermore, the potential drop is investigated, resulting from charge transfer between the MoTe2 and PtS2, which is another critical promotion to prevent the recombination of the photogenerated charges. Additionally, the MoTe2/PtS2 vdWH also demonstrates a novel and excellent optical absorption capacity in the visible wavelength range. Our work suggests a theoretical guide to designing and tuning the 2D heterostructure using photocatalytic and photovoltaic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiconductor Photocatalysts)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop