Photocatalytic water splitting of ternary graphene-like photocatalyst for the photocatalytic hydrogen production

•The MoS₂/SiC/GO composite has a strong photocatalytic activity than SiC. •The optimal catalyst yielded the highest quantum of 21.69%. •GO acts as a bridge for electron passage in photocatalytic reaction. In recent times, therehas been an increasing demand for energy which has resulted in an increased consumption of fossil fuels thereby posing a number of challenges to the environment. In the course finding possible solutions to this environmental canker, solar photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogengas has been identified as one of the most promising methods for generating renewable energy. To retard the recombination of photogenerated carriers and improve the efficiencyof photocatalysis, the present paper reports a facile method called the hydrothermal method, which was used to prepare ternary graphene-like photocatalyst. A “Design Expert” was used to investigate the influence of the loading weight of Mo and GO as well as the temperature of hydrothermal reaction and their interactions on the evolution of hydrogen (H₂) in 4 h. The experimental results showed that the ternary graphene-like photocatalyst has a strong photocatalytic hydrogen production activity compared to that of pure SiC. In particular, the catalyst added 2.5 wt% of GO weight yielded the highest quantum of 21.69 % at 400–700 nm of wavelength. The optimal evolution H₂ in 4 h conditions wasobtained as follows: The loading weight of Mo was 8.19 wt%, the loading weight of GO was 2.02 wt%, the temperature of the hydrothermal reaction was 200.93°C. Under the optimum conditions, the evolution of H₂ in 4 h could reach 4.2030 mL.     

Photoelectrochemical water splitting using post-transition metal oxides for hydrogen production: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Dihydrogen (H2), commonly named ‘hydrogen,’ is considered as a promising renewable fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide upon combustion. Nonetheless,...     

Design of polymeric carbon nitride-based heterojunctions for photocatalytic water splitting: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Developing high-efficiency and stable photocatalysts able to accomplish spontaneous overall water splitting, without using sacrificial agents, is the ultimate goal...     

Metallic and bimetallic phosphides-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic hydrogen production and water detoxification: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Providing sustainable energy and cleaning water pollution are actually major societal issues requiring new catalysts. In particular, transition...     

Improved overall water splitting for hydrogen production on aluminium-doped SrTiO3 photocatalyst via tuned surface band bending

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Future carbon neutrality and the energy crisis are calling for advanced methods to produce sustainable fuels such as hydrogen production by photocatalytic water...     

Biofuel production,hydrogen production and water remediation by photocatalysis,biocatalysis and electrocatalysis

The energy crisis and environmental pollution have recently fostered research on efficient methods such as environmental catalysis to produce biofuel and to clean water. Environmental catalysis refers to green catalysts used to breakdown pollutants or produce chemicals without generating undesirable by-products. For example, catalysts derived from waste or inexpensive materials are promising for the circular economy. Here we review environmental photocatalysis, biocatalysis, and electrocatalysis, with focus on catalyst synthesis, structure, and applications. Common catalysts include biomass-derived materials, metal–organic frameworks, non-noble metals nanoparticles, nanocomposites and enzymes. Structure characterization is done by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy. We found that water pollutants can be degraded with an efficiency ranging from 71.7 to 100%, notably by heterogeneous Fenton catalysis. Photocatalysis produced dihydrogen (H₂) with generation rate higher than 100 μmol h⁻¹. Dihydrogen yields ranged from 27 to 88% by methane cracking. Biodiesel production reached 48.6 to 99%.

     

Optimizing hydrogen production by alkaline water decomposition with transition metal-based electrocatalysts

Burning fossil fuels account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of carbon dioxide emissions, calling for alternative fuels such as hydrogen. Since the hydrogen demand could reach 120 million tons in 2024, efficient and large-scale production methods are required. Here we review electrocatalytic water splitting with a focus on reaction mechanisms, transition metal catalysts, and optimization strategies. We discuss mechanisms of water decomposition and hydrogen evolution. Transition metal catalysts include alloys, sulfides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, selenides, oxides, hydroxides, and metal-organic frameworks. The reaction can be optimized by modifying the nanostructure or the electronic structure. We observe that transition metal-based electrocatalysts are excellent catalysts due to their abundant sources, low cost, and controllable electronic structures. Concerning optimization, fluorine anion doping at 1 mol/L potassium hydroxide yields an overpotential of 38 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm². The electrocatalytic efficiency can also be enhanced by adding metal atoms to the nickel sulfide framework.

     

Photobiological production of hydrogen by the waste water treatment with anaerobic photosynthetic Purple bacteria

In this paper selected references about experience gained with photosynthetic bacteria in anaerobic process for either water treatment or hydrogen production are given. In particular experimental data about the hydrogen evolution rate, hydrogen yield and substrate efficiency in relationship to the nutrient conditions as well as about the behavior of some different species are presented. The limiting role of the nitrogen source is being discussed.     

Activation of peat soil carbon and production of carbon nanostructures using a flying jet cold plasma torch

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Non-thermal plasma, also named cold plasma, finds applications in industrial, environmental and health sectors. Non-thermal plasma is a remarkable catalysing and...     

Conversion of biomass into hydrogen by supercritical water gasification: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The rising issues of global warming due to the rapid use of fossil fuels are calling for sustainable energies such as dihydrogen, thereafter named...     

Cobalt-based catalysts for hydrogen production by thermochemical valorization of glycerol: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Rising energy needs and the exhaustion of fossil fuels are calling for renewable fuels such as dihydrogen (H2), commonly named 'hydrogen.' Biomass...     

Production of hydrogen and value-added carbon materials by catalytic methane decomposition: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Dihydrogen (H2), commonly named “hydrogen”, is attracting research interest due to potential applications in fuel cells, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and...     

Higher soybean production using honeybee and wild pollinators, a sustainable alternative to pesticides and autopollination

This is the first report showing that using honeybee (Apis mellifera) and wild pollinators complementary pollination can enhance soybean productivity (Glycine max). Current industrial production of soybean involves autopollination and high loads of pesticides. Therefore, growers have neglected possible biotic pollination despite suggestions that soybean benefit from insect pollinators. Reports advocating possible biotic pollination are based on experiments where bees are caged with flowering plants and the absence of pesticides, thus not in field conditions. Therefore, here we compared in field conditions soybean yield produced (1) independently of biotic pollinators, (2) with wild pollinators and (3) with honeybee colonies. Results showed an increase of +6.34 % of soybean yield in areas where wild pollinators had free access to flowers. The introduction of honeybee colonies further raised the yield of +18.09 %. Our findings therefore show that, though soybean is autogamous, allowing pollination by wild pollinators leads to higher yields. Moreover, adding honeybee mitigates pollination deficits and improves yield compared to current practices.     

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye using ZnO/graphitic C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposites synthesized by microwave

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a solution to issues of environmental pollution and energy shortage because photocatalysis can use solar energy to degrade pollutants. The photocatalytic activity can be improved by using composites of ZnO and other semiconductors. Here, composites of ZnO and polymeric graphite-like C₃N₄ (g-C₃N₄) with high photocatalytic activities were prepared by microwave synthesis. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B was tested under irradiation from a Xe lamp. Results show that adding graphite-like C₃N₄ promotes the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. Composites with 1.0 wt% g-C₃N₄ showed the best photodegradation efficiency, and the reaction average energy was approximately 33.71 kJ mol^?1.     

Fermentative hydrogen production from beet sugar factory wastewater treatment in a continuous stirred tank reactor using anaerobic mixed consortia

A low pH, ethanol-type fermentation process was evaluated for wastewater treatment and bio-hydrogen production from acidic beet sugar factory wastewater in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with an effective volume of 9.6 L by anaerobic mixed cultures in this present study. After inoculating with aerobic activated sludge and operating at organic loading rate (OLR) of 12 kgCOD?m^-3·d^-1, HRT of 8h, and temperature of 35°C for 28 days, the CSTR achieved stable ethanol-type fermentation. When OLR was further increased to 18 kgCOD?m^-3·d^-1 on the 53rd day, ethanol-type fermentation dominant microflora was enhanced. The liquid fermentation products, including volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ethanol, stabilized at 1493 mg·L^-1 in the bioreactor. Effluent pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and alkalinity ranged at 4.1–4.5, -250–(-290) mV, and 230–260 mgCaCO₃?L^-1. The specific hydrogen production rate of anaerobic activated sludge was 0.1 L?gMLVSS^-1·d^-1 and the COD removal efficiency was 45%. The experimental results showed that the CSTR system had good operation stability and microbial activity, which led to high substrate conversion rate and hydrogen production ability.     

Removal of non-point pollutants from bridge runoff by a hydrocyclone using natural water head

A hydrocyclone using natural water head provided by bridge was operated for the treatment of stormwater runoff. The hydrocyclone was automatically controlled using electronic valve which is connected to a pressure meter. Normally the hydrocyclone was open during dry days, but it was closed after the capture of the first flush. The results indicated that the average pressure and the flow rate were directly affected by the rainfall intensity. The pressure head was more than 2 m when the rainfall intensity was above 5mm·h^-1. The percentage volume of underflow with high solids concentration decreased as the pressure and flow rate increased, but the percentage volume of overflow with almost no solids showed the opposite behavior. The total suspended solids （TSS） concentration ratio between the overflow and inflow （TSSover/TSSin） decreased as a function of the operational pressure, while the corresponding ratio of underflow to inflow （TSSunaer/TSSi,） increased. The TSS separation efficiency was evaluated based on a mass balance. It ranged from 25% to 99% with the pressure head ranging from 1.4 to 9.7 m, and it was proportional to pressure and flow rate. Normally, the efficiency was more than 50% when the pressure was higher than 2 m. The analysis of the water budget indicated that around 13% of the total runoff was captured by the hydrocyclone as a first flush, and this runoff was separated as underflow and overflow with the respective percentage volumes of 29% and 71%. The pollutants budget was also examined based on a mass balance. The results showed that the percentage of TSS, chemical oxygen demand （COD）, total nitrogen （TN）, and total phosphorus （TP） in underflow were 73%, 59%, 7.6%, and 49%, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the hydrocyclone worked well. It separated the first flush as solids-concentrated underflow and solids-absent overflow, and effectively reduced the runoff volume needing further treatment. Finally, four types of optional post treatment design are presented and compared.     

Photocatalytic mineralization of a water pollutant,Sunset Yellow dye by an advanced oxidation process using a modified catalyst

ZnS-loaded TiO₂ (ZnS–TiO₂) was synthesized by a sol–gel method. The catalyst was characterized by using different techniques (XRD, HR-SEM, EDS, DRS, PL, XPS, and BET methods). The photocatalytic activity of ZnS–TiO₂ was investigated for the degradation of Sunset Yellow FCF (SY) dye in an aqueous solution using ultraviolet light. ZnS–TiO₂ is found to be more efficient than prepared TiO₂, TiO₂–P25, TiO₂ (Merck), and ZnS at pH 7 for the mineralization of SY. The effects of operational parameters such as the amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, and initial pH on photo mineralization of SY have been analyzed. The mineralization of SY has been confirmed by chemical oxygen demand measurements. The catalyst is found to be reusable.     

油酸铵改性的高活性TiO2/V-TiO2复合光催化剂的制备及光催化降解甲基橙的研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法,将经过油酸铵改性的掺钒二氧化钛粉末投入到纯TiO2溶胶中,烘干、煅烧,制得带有n-n异质结半导体结构的复合型高活性掺钒二氧化钛光催化剂,并通过XRD、TEM、XPS等技术对样品进行了表征。通过对甲基橙溶液的光催化降解实验来考察TiO2/V-TiO2催化剂的光催化活性。结果表明：TiO2/V-TiO2复合催化剂拥有比纯TiO2更高的光催化活性。其中,V的掺杂摩尔分数为0.5%、TiO2：V-TiO2的质量比为10∶1的最佳复合催化剂,其光催化活性是纯TiO2的5.1倍。     

不同状态样品培养下太湖地区黄泥土好气呼吸与CO2产生潜力

土壤呼吸的CO2释放是陆地生态系统快速而活跃的土气交换途径,培养试验常用来讨论土壤的有机碳矿化及其温室气体产生潜力.对太湖地区一个代表性水稻土在水稻收割后采集土壤, 分别进行常规(磨碎土的培养瓶法)和原状土恒温好气培养,测定分析土壤呼吸的CO2释放量,讨论其有机碳矿化与CO2释放潜力.结果表明,该水稻土常规培养CO2呼吸释放速率在CO2-C 12.85 ～ 15.17 mg·kg-1·d-1范围, 而原状土培养CO2呼吸释放速率在CO2-C 2.15 ～ 4.47 mg·kg-1·d-1范围,虽然两者均显著低于文献报道的培养研究结果,但原状土培养下土壤呼吸及CO2产生潜力看起来较大幅度地低于磨碎土常规培养结果,前者与同地区田间监测结果计算的值相当.不但如此,培养中土壤呼吸作用与CO2释放动态格式也发生变化,原状土条件下存在一个较为稳定的低呼吸速率阶段,不同施肥处理下这一阶段的差异十分明显.计算表明,原状土培养下存在微生物潜在可矿化碳的土壤保护作用,这种保护性碳约占土壤有机碳总量的2%左右,较大于Pulleman & Marinissen (2004) 对于草地土壤团聚体有机碳矿化的研究结果.采用磨碎样品的常规培养实验可能会高估水稻土有机碳矿化与CO2释放潜力.