Constructing a noble-metal-free 0D/2D CdS/SnS2heterojunction for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic pollutant degradation and hydrogen generation.

Semiconductor photocatalysis has attracted the attention of a wide audience for its outstanding capabilities in water purification and energy conversion. Herein, a noble-metal-free nanoheterojunction is created by planting zero-dimensional (0D) CdS nanograins, of 10-20 nm in size, on the surface of 2D SnS2nanosheets (NSs) using anin situchemical bathing deposition process, where SnS2NSs have an average diameter of 400 nm and thicknesses of less than 20 nm. The possible formation mechanism of the CdS/SnS2(CS/SS) heterogeneous nanostructure is elaborated upon. The catalytic activities over CS/SS nanocomposites for the photodegradation of organic dye and hydrogen evolution from photolysis water splitting are examined under visible light irradiation. The apparent rate constant (k) of the optimal CS/SS-3 composite in the decontamination of methylene blue (MB) is up to 3.34 and 1.87 times as high as that of pristine SnS2and pure CdS counterparts, respectively. The optimized CS/SS-3 sample consistently achieves the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production rate, at 10.3 and 5.7 folds higher than that of solo SnS2and CdS panels, respectively. The boosted photocatalytic capacities of CdS/SnS2heterostructures are essentially attributed to the formation of the closely interfacial incorporation of CdS and SnS2semiconductors, resulting in the effective charge transportation and spatial separation of the photoinduced electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, the traditional type-II charge transfer pathway is proposed based on the perfect band structure and the free radical experiment results.

Easily controllable synthesis of alpha-MoO3 nanobelts and MoO2 microaxletrees through one-pot hydrothermal route.

A mild one-pot hydrothermal route has been successfully designed to controllably prepare orthorhombic alpha-MoO3 nanobelts and monoclinic MoO2 microaxletrees respectively by adjusting the dosage of (NH4)6M07O24 x 4H2O (AHM). The products are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible absorption spectrum. The as-prepared alpha-MoO3 nanobelts, with widths of 100-400 nm and lengths up to 30-40 microm, grow along [001] direction. The as-obtained MoO2 microaxletrees are assembled by countless nanolaths with the thickness of 80-150 nm. The chemical reaction processes for the formation of MoO(x) (MoO3 and MoO2) phases are investigated based on the experimental phenomena. The possible growth mechanisms are also discussed. The band gap energies (E(g)) of the obtained alpha-MoO3 nanobelts and MoO2 microaxletrees are calculated to be 2.90 and 3.72 eV, respectively. This work exhibits an effective approach in the selectively controlled synthesis of MoO(x) (x = 2, 3) nanomaterials via one-step hydrothermal strategy.

Facile sonochemical synthesis of hierarchical porous CuO nanotablets.

Hierarchical semiconductor CuO nanotablets with pores have been fabricated on a large scale by a facile and one-pot sonochemical process using the copper acetate and ammonia aqueous solution as precursor in the absence of surfactants or additives. The as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and N2 physisorption. The results reveal that porous tablet-shaped CuO nanostructures composed of nanoribbons possess a monoclinc phase CuO with the average diameters about 200 nm and around 50 nm in thickness. The Brunnauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area and the single point adsorption total pore volume were measured to be 26.8 m2/g and 0.083 cm3/g, respectively. The band-gap energies were estimated to be 2.52 eV from a UV-vis absorption spectrum, which showed the quantum size effects of the nanosized semiconductors. A possible mechanism for porous CuO nanotablets was discussed.

One-pot sonochemical fabrication of hierarchical hollow CuO submicrospheres.

Hierarchical hollow CuO submicrospheres have been fabricated on a large scale by a facile one-pot sonochemical process in the absence of surfactants and additives. The as-prepared products were investigated by XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, SAED, HRTEM and BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results reveal that hollow pumpkin-shaped structures possess a monoclinic phase CuO with the diameters ranging from 400 to 500 nm, and their walls with around 45 nm in thickness are composed of numerous single crystalline CuO nanoribbons with a width of about 8 nm. The BET specific surface area of the as-synthesized CuO hollow structures was measured to be 59.60 m(2)/g, and the single point adsorption total pore volume was measured to be 0.1036 cm(3)/g. A possible growth mechanism for the formation of hierarchical hollow CuO structures was proposed, which is considered to be a sonohydrolysis - oriented aggregation - Ostwald ripening process. The novel hollow CuO spherical structures may utilize applications in biosensors, photonics, electronics, and catalysts.