About this Research Topic
The human-mediated environmental pollution and also resulting in energy shortages have garnered significant global concern. To handle the environmental problem and depletion of fossil fuels, it is pressing to exploit solar energy and develop feasible technologies for environmental remediation. Photocatalysis has been dismissed as a prospective technology for photoconversion in virtue of its potential in solar utilization for the production of hydrogen (H2) with high calorific value and some carbonaceous fuels such as methanol (CH3OH), methane (CH4), formic acid (HCOOH) and formaldehyde (HCHO). Moreover, photocatalytic technology is an effective and sustainable alternative for environmental pollution control with wide application prospects. However, the charge separation of the single-component photocatalysts is not satisfactory.
The type II heterojunction can improve charge separation, but the strong redox potentials of photogenerated charge carriers are weakened. Z-scheme photocatalysts could enhance the separation of photogenerated charge carriers and optimize the redox capability of the photocatalytic system. In fact, the photogenerated charge carriers with higher redox abilities react with the shuttle redox ion pairs in the traditional Z-scheme or quench each other in the all-solid-state Z-scheme due to larger thermodynamic driving forces, thus Z-scheme heterojunction is considered as theoretically immature and problematic.
The fabrication of S-scheme photocatalytic systems appears a pertinent strategy to realize optimal space charge separation, widen the light-absorption response range, maintain optimal redox ability, and increase photocatalytic activity. Many studies have been focused on S-scheme heterojunctions for the removal of pollutants in water, H2 production and CO2 reduction, and great research progress has been made.
In this research topic, the novel ongoing research on the innovative development and application of S-scheme photocatalysis for environmental application and re-utilization are preferred to be published. The subjects that will be preferably covered by this research topic comprise, but are not limited, to: i) the design of Z-Scheme and S-Scheme heterojunctions; ii) new materials; iii) new catalysts; iv) pilot trials; v) development of new processes; vi) photocatalytic mechanism; vii) application in wastewater treatment, CO2 reduction and air purification.
The type II heterojunction can improve charge separation, but the strong redox potentials of photogenerated charge carriers are weakened. Z-scheme photocatalysts could enhance the separation of photogenerated charge carriers and optimize the redox capability of the photocatalytic system. In fact, the photogenerated charge carriers with higher redox abilities react with the shuttle redox ion pairs in the traditional Z-scheme or quench each other in the all-solid-state Z-scheme due to larger thermodynamic driving forces, thus Z-scheme heterojunction is considered as theoretically immature and problematic.
The fabrication of S-scheme photocatalytic systems appears a pertinent strategy to realize optimal space charge separation, widen the light-absorption response range, maintain optimal redox ability, and increase photocatalytic activity. Many studies have been focused on S-scheme heterojunctions for the removal of pollutants in water, H2 production and CO2 reduction, and great research progress has been made.
In this research topic, the novel ongoing research on the innovative development and application of S-scheme photocatalysis for environmental application and re-utilization are preferred to be published. The subjects that will be preferably covered by this research topic comprise, but are not limited, to: i) the design of Z-Scheme and S-Scheme heterojunctions; ii) new materials; iii) new catalysts; iv) pilot trials; v) development of new processes; vi) photocatalytic mechanism; vii) application in wastewater treatment, CO2 reduction and air purification.
Keywords: S-scheme heterojunctions, Photocatalysis, Environmental control, reutilization
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