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[Display omitted] • Bi 2 MmO 6 with double vacancies were prepared and used for photodegradation of LVF. • Effects of V O and V Bi are completely different, resulting in a synergistic effect. • The degradation of 40 mg/L LVF reached 88.36 % within 60 min by V Bi-O -BMO. • k value of V Bi-O -BMO was 0.0351 min−1, which is 3.2 times higher than bulk-BMO. • Intermediates and degradation pathways of LVF were speculated based on the LC-MS. Defect engineering advantages include regulating the band structure of photocatalytic materials, inhibiting the recombination of photoelectron-hole pairs, and promoting the conversion of photogenerated electrons into active radicals. In this paper, bismuth molybdate (Bi 2 MoO 6) photocatalysts with double vacancies (V Bi-O -BMO) were prepared by solvothermal and ionic eutectic solvent methods. EPR, TEM, and XPS results confirmed the successful construction of oxygen and bismuth vacancies on Bi 2 MoO 6. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared catalysts was investigated by photodegradation of levofloxacin hydrochloride (LVF) under visible light. The double vacancies markedly enhanced the photocatalytic properties of Bi 2 MoO 6 , with the photodegradation rate of V Bi-O -BMO reaching 88.36 % for 40 mg/L LVF within 60 min. Kinetic studies have demonstrated that the reaction rate constant of V Bi-O -BMO can reach 0.0351 min−1, which is 3.2 times higher than that of bulk-BMO. This can be attributed to the favorable synergistic effect of oxygen and bismuth double vacancies. V O not only captures oxygen and electrons, facilitating the generation of superoxide radicals (O 2 −), but also elevates the conduction band position and boosts the reduction capability of Bi 2 MoO 6. V Bi not only captures photogenerated holes (h+) to directly impact LVF degradation, but also promotes interfacial charge transfer and inhibits the recombination of electron-hole pairs. Furthermore, the intermediates and degradation pathways of LVF photodegradation were surmised based on the LC-MS analysis. The reaction mechanism of LVF photodegradation by V Bi-O -BMO was elucidated through the application of the free radical pathway. This study demonstrates a methodology for the creation of double vacancies in catalysts and the significant potential of V Bi-O -BMO for the remediation of antibiotic residues in water under visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of element doping, cocatalyst modification, and 2D/2D Z-scheme heterojunction construction in the Au-loaded BiVO 4 /P-doped g-C 3 N 4 composite for efficient photocatalytic CO 2 reduction to CO. [Display omitted] • A 2D/2D BiVO4/P-doped g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction is delicately constructed. • The Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism is adequately validated. • Superior light absorption, efficient charge separation, and strong redox capacity are successfully achieved. • The Au loaded BiVO 4 /P-doped g-C 3 N 4 composite displays an eminent activity of photocatalytic CO 2 reduction to CO. Mimicking nature to fulfill the artificial conversion of CO 2 and H 2 O into solar fuels is an appealing tactic to alleviate energy scarcity and environmental concerns. However, obstacles such as inferior charge separation and light absorption of semiconductors, complex water dissociation, and high CO 2 activation energy barrier, immensely restrict photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity. Herein, multi-strategy modifications including element doping, 2D/2D Z-scheme heterojunction construction, and cocatalyst loading, were integrated into an Au-loaded BiVO 4 /P-doped g-C 3 N 4 composite (Au-BVO/P-CN), which help the photocatalytic system to achieve superior visible light harvest, eminent charge separation, and robust redox capacity. The optimal Au-BVO/P-CN manifests eminent visible light photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity with a CO yield of 20.87 µmol g−1 h−1. The Z-scheme mechanism in Au-BVO/P-CN is verified by the improved photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity and free radical capture experiments. The progressively generated *COOH and *CO intermediates probed by in-situ infrared spectroscopy reveal the reason for high CO product selectivity. The synergistic benefits of multi-strategy modifications can inspire future photocatalyst design for efficient solar fuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SrTiO 3 /Ti 3 C 2 T x photocatalysts with different Ti 3 C 2 T x loadings were prepared by hydrothermal method. Tetracycline hydrochloride was degraded by PMS activated under visible light. ST-10 activated PMS has the highest degradation activity under visible light and can be completely degraded within 10 min. The photodegradation rate constant of ST-10 was 12.41 times higher. Its satisfactory photocatalytic performance can be attributed to efficient interfacial charge separation, enhanced migration and separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, and the introduction of PMS can lead to the generation of more active free radicals. At the same time, the introduction of Ti 3 C 2 T x provides a highly active surface area for the redox reaction. The composite material has a good application prospect in the catalytic degradation of pollutants. [Display omitted] • The SrTiO 3 /Ti 3 C 2 T x heterostructures were constructed by partial surface oxidation of Ti 3 C 2 T x based on the introduction of (001)-TiO 2. • The characteristics of illumination and Ti 3 C 2 T x are beneficial to the separation of photogenerated carriers on the surface of SrTiO 3 /Ti 3 C 2 T x. • The SrTiO 3 /Ti 3 C 2 T x showed excellent TC-HCl degradation ability and stability in visible light activated PMS. Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is a promising technology for increasing the oxidation capacity and promoting the production of active species in the photocatalytic system. SrTiO 3 , a material with a perovskite crystal structure in a cubic form, can activate PMS on its surface and generate non-radical 1O 2. Herein, SrTiO 3 /Ti 3 C 2 T x (ST) composites were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method based on SrTiO 3 materials. The photocatalytic activation of PMS resulted in the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl), with the ST-10 (10 wt% SrTiO 3 /Ti 3 C 2 T x) composite showing the highest efficiency in TC removal and rapid degradation kinetics, achieving complete TC removal within 10 min. The synergistic interaction between the two components in ST-10 significantly enhanced the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), leading to an increased production of free radicals. The larger specific surface area and presence of –OH groups in the composite material facilitated the adsorption and chemical bonding of PMS molecules, thereby improving their overall performance. Quench experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis identified •SO 4 −, •OH, •O 2 – and 1O 2 as the primary active species responsible for the degradation of TC. Additionally, the degradation pathway of TC was elucidated through mass spectrometry analysis. This study provides valuable insights for the development of effective photocatalysts as promising PMS catalysts in environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flower-like Ag/Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 plasmonic S-scheme heterojunction with is synthesized via a simple route. Under the synergistic cooperation of S-scheme heterostructure, and plasmonic effect, Ag/Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 exhibits exceptional photocatalytic properties toward antibiotic destruction under visible light irradiation. [Display omitted] • A plasmonic S-scheme heterojunction of Ag/Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 was synthesized. • Ag/Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 manifests superb photo-activity for antibiotic removal. • The photocatalytic mechanism, antibiotic degradation process and toxicities are analyzed. • The combination of S-scheme junction and plasmonic effect accounts for the reinforced catalytic performance. Developing robust photocatalysts for photocatalytic environment decontamination is significant and challenging. A novel flower-like S-scheme Ag/Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 (AASO/BOC) plasmonic heterojunction is successfully constructed using a facile route, and applied in photocatalytic destruction of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) and levofloxacin (LEV) under visible-light irradiation. Benefiting from the combination of S-scheme Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 /Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 heterojunction and the plasma Ag, the production and separation of photogenerated carriers are dramatically enhanced. Consequently, compared to the pristine Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 and Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 , AASO/BOC displays superior photocatalytic degradation performance. Impressively, the photocatalytic TC degradation rate of AASO/BOC-2 reaches 0.0260 min−1, which is approximately 3.1, 14.4 and 2.0 times those of Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 , Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 and Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 /Ag 6 Si 2 O 7 , respectively. Moreover, the photocatalytic mechanism of TC degradation is studied in depth via various techniques, and the photogenerated OH, O 2 − and h+ collectively contribute to the photo-degradation of TC. This research puts forward a neoteric approach to designing plasmonic S-scheme photocatalysts for environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of type II heterojunction between singlet S and ZnIn 2 S 4 promoted the separation of photocarriers, and the doping of sulfur vacancies (S V) enhanced the absorption of the catalysts in the visible region, which improved the photocatalytic activity of ZnIn 2 S 4 for the degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). [Display omitted] • Sulfur vacancies and type II heterojunction were constructed to promote the photocatalytic performance. • The excellent catalytic activity is attributed to strong visible light absorption and high carrier separation efficiency. • The degradation efficiency and rate of TBBPA are remarkably improved. Composites consisting of singlet S and sulfur vacancy − rich ZnIn 2 S 4 (S/S V -ZnIn 2 S 4) synthesized by a solvothermal method. The singlet S, grows on the surface of ZnIn 2 S 4 , forms a type II heterojunction with ZnIn 2 S 4 to promote the separation of the photocarriers. The doping of sulfur vacancies (S V) enhanced the absorption of the catalyst in the visible region, promoted the generation and separation of photogenerated carriers, and acted as active sites, improving the photocatalytic activity of ZnIn 2 S 4 for tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) degradation. The O 2 – acted as the reactive oxygen species to oxidatively degrade TBBPA until mineralization. Under visible light irradiation, the degradation rate reached 100 % in 12 min, which was three times higher than that of pristine ZnIn 2 S 4. The highest degradation amount is as high as ∼200 mg·g cat −1 at a speed of 16.60 mg·g cat −1·min−1. This work provides an efficient system for the degradation of TBBPA and achieves the highest concentration of TBBPA available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • NiFe LDH/AC with exposed layers and a carbon backbone were hydrothermally fabricated. • The synergy between NiFe LDH and AC improved the visible light MB degradation efficiency. • NiFe LDH/AC could remove 85–87% of MB from textile wastewater and 90–92% of MB in river water samples. • UPLC/MS data suggested that MB was mineralized into simpler fragments after 30 min of visible light irradiation. • NiFe LDH/AC structure remained intact suggesting the strong stability of the photocatalyst. The photocatalytic performance of the multilayered NiFe LDH/Activated Carbon was evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in industrial textile wastewater, considering prior adsorption on the photocatalyst surface. The XRD, XPS, BET, TEM and FE-SEM results confirmed that the highly exposed mesoporous layers, carbon backbone, and interlayer anions serve as active sites responsible for the adsorption of MB dye due to the expected electrostatic interactions. Electrochemical methods such as CV, LSV and EIS revealed the improved conductivity and supported the interactions observed. Encouraged by these interactions, the irradiation of visible light enabled the degradation of methylene blue, and the degradation products were monitored using UPLC chromatograms and MS spectra. The removal efficiencies of the MB dye were found to be 17.5 %, 51.2 %, 67.1 %, 84.8 %, and 94.2 % due to photolysis, adsorption, and degradation on AC, NiFe LDH nanosheets, and NiFe LDH/AC nanocomposite, respectively. The results of the UPLC chromatograms and MS spectra suggested that MB was mineralized into simpler fragments after 30 min of visible light irradiation. Scavenging studies were examined using a series of scavenging agents. However, the maximum photodegradation was attained in the absence of the scavengers. The reusability studies showed that the MB photodegradation efficiency declined by 20.8 %, possibly due to the loss of the catalyst during the washing step. Nonetheless, the NiFe LDH/AC structure remained intact, suggesting the strong stability of the photocatalyst. The plausible degradation mechanism and probable degradation pathway of MB were outlined and supported by the chromatographs and MS results. The overall results suggest that photocatalysis of cationic dyes such as MB on NiFe LDH/AC should be encouraged to work towards sustainable solutions for textile water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synergy between photocatalysis and sulfite-advanced oxidation process over nanoceria. • High Pr concentrations in ceria, higher photoactivity. • The zigzag nanofacets in nanoceria improve catalytic activity. • The main active intermediates are SO 4 •–, O 2 •– radicals and holes. • This system has strong resistance to initial pH values, other anions and leaching. Sulfite-based advanced oxidation processes (s-AOPs) have recently garnered significant attention due to their ability to generate highly oxidative sulfate radicals and eliminate contaminants from water. A state-of-the-art platform has been developed through the synergistic combination of s-AOP and photocatalysis under visible light as weak as ambient indoor daylight. This platform achieved an enhanced degradation efficiency for defect-engineered CeO 2 nanocubes by using sodium sulfite instead of SO 2 , resulting in a synergy factor of up to 88%. The reaction pathways, intermediates, ion leaching and the possible influence of aqueous conditions during the methyl orange degradation have been investigated. The CeO 2 /Na 2 SO 3 /vis-light platform exhibits promising prospect as a system to enhance conventional s-AOP in wastewater treatment or disinfection. It demonstrates excellent performance in terms of pH sensitivity, anion influence, and resistance to leaching. This highlights its significant potential for practical applications and future process scale-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we demonstrate that Zn-doped tubular carbon nitride photocatalyst (Zn-tCN) can serve as highly efficient catalysts for H 2 O 2 photosynthesis. [Display omitted] • Zn-doped g-C 3 N 4 are fabricated by a synthetic strategy of high-performance. • Zn-tCN presents excellent H 2 O 2 production under visible light and pure water. • The excellent photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the enhancement of selectivity. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) has become a favored universal photocatalyst. Despite its numerous advantages, the photocatalytic efficiency of g-C 3 N 4 is hindered by the substantial recombination of photoexcited charge carriers and holes. In this work, we demonstrate that Zn-doped tubular carbon nitride photocatalyst (Zn-tCN) can serve as highly efficient catalysts for H 2 O 2 photosynthesis. Mechanism studies confirm that the presence of Zn in g-C 3 N 4 prolongs the lifetimes of photogenerated carriers and inhibits their recombination, which triggers the reduction of O 2 to reaction intermediates (O 2 −), as supported by in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. More importantly, sacrificial agent experiments coupled with in situ EPR results confirmed that the reaction mechanism involves a concerted two-electron transfer process. The optimal catalyst displays a H 2 O 2 productivity of 162.4μmol g–1h−1 under visible-light irradiation without a sacrificial agent, which is 11.7 times higher than that of pristine g-C 3 N 4 (13.8μmol g–1h−1). This work proposes a synthetic strategy for the preparation of high-performance Zn-doped g-C 3 N 4 , which offers insights and perspectives for developing highly active photocatalysts and deepening the understanding of photocatalytic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A facile way to synthesize g-C 3 N 4 from atypical supermolecular precursors is proposed. • The supramolecular self-assembly g-C 3 N 4 (ACCN) shows distorted heptazine structure. • ACCN has broadened light absorption and shallow energy level defects. • ACCN exhibits 53-fold increase in hydrogen evolution rate than bulk g-C 3 N 4. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention due to its suitable electronic structure and remarkable visible light absorption ability. However, the application of g-C 3 N 4 is still hindered by its low specific surface area, lack of active sites and low photogenerated charge carriers transport rates. Herein, we report the synthesis of a distorted g-C 3 N 4 (ACCN) with high visible light activity by atypical supramolecular self-assembly of cyanuric acid and protonated melamine. The twisted heptazine ring structure enables the lone pair of electrons on the N atoms to be excited under visible light, which broadens the utilization of visible light, with the absorption edge of the UV–visible spectrum red-shifted to 650 nm. Besides, the atomic defects in the heptazine ring induce shallow energy level defects, which can trap photogenerated electrons and reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated carriers. The broadened light absorption and the presence of shallow energy level defects synergistically improve the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate up to 7460 µmol g-1h−1, which is 53 times higher than that of the bulk g-C 3 N 4. Our work proposes that an unconventional supramolecular self-assembly enables efficient n → π* electronic transitions in g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst, which offers a novel insight into developing efficient photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The co-existence of oxygen and nitrogen vacancies in the seaweed-like fibrous membrane is able to complete degradation of antibiotics due to the strengthened ·OH production. [Display omitted] • The seaweed-like fibrous heterojunction membrane with oxygen vacancies in TiO 2 and nitrogen vacancies in g-C 3 N 4 was successfully fabricated through a HCl-mediated strategy. • The thorough elimination of various antibiotics with enhanced reaction kinetics is achieved under visible light irradiation. • The co-existence of oxygen vacancies and nitrogen vacancies are responsible for O 2 capture, H 2 O 2 generation, and ·OH production. • The flexible membrane is also appropriate for flowing systems. The highly selective production of ·OH to strengthen the mineralization of antibiotics remains a significant scientific challenge. In this work, the seaweed-like fibrous membrane containing oxygen-vacancies in TiO 2 ultrafine nanocrystals and nitrogen-vacancies in g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets, was rationally designed through a HCl-mediated polycondensation strategy. The photocatalytic test confirmed that the dual-defects membrane containing dual defects exhibited highly efficient capacities in removing a variety of antibiotics under visible light and natural light irradiation, which was much stronger than that of single- or none-defective samples. The mechanism analysis displayed that the dual defects were beneficial to migration of photogenerated charges, expansion of Fermi level gap, and capture of oxygen. The strengthened ·OH production was derived from the decomposition of H 2 O 2 , bypassing the high barrier of direct oxidation of H 2 O. This work focuses the key roles of defects in photocatalytic reaction and attempts to present a promising stride towards advancing defect engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel Ag@TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 hollow spherical SERS substrates are proposed and developed. • They are reusable and magnetically controllable with excellent SERS activity. • It suffers 3% loss after 10 repeatable tests subject to UV after each test. • Ag@TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 shows good photocatalytic ability even visible light irradiation. In this study, an innovative highly sensitive self-cleaning Lab-on-a-bubble SERS substrate: Ag NPs@TiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 hollow spheres, was developed using spray pyrolysis and following depositions. The reusable and magnetically controllable substrate consists of iron oxide hollow spheres (Fe 3 O 4) covered by a TiO 2 shell and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) deposited on the outer surface. Experimental results show that this new composite SERS substrate exhibited a low limit of detection (LOD) down to 10-10M, and the enhancement factor (EF) reached 1.01 X107. It suffered only 3 % loss after 10 repeatable recycle tests if the self-cleaning under UV was performed after each test. This novel substrate possessed good photocatalytic degradation ability for methylene blue (MB) dyes even under visible light. In that case, MB can be dissociated up to 99.8 % and the reaction rate constant (K) reached 0.0271/min. Taking advantage of this, the feasibility of reusable SERS detection through self-cleaning under visible light was also demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WSeTe/PtTe 2 vdW heterojunctions are constructed and their mechanical, electronic, and optical properties are deeply studied. On this basis, the strain-controlled high on–off-ratio mechanical switching and high-performance solar cell devices are proposed. [Display omitted] • WSeTe/PtTe 2 heterojunction is constructed and various physical properties are investigated. • They have are type-II semiconductors, with exceptional mechanical property. • Their types of band alignment and band gap size can be tuned flexibly by physical field. • High-performance mechanical switching and solar cell devices are proposed. Janus WSeTe and PtTe 2 monolayers have attracted much attention due to their outstanding electronic properties. To explore their combined advantages and to find new physics, we construct WSeTe/PtTe 2 vdW heterojunctions and use the most stable configurations A4 and B1 to explore their various physical properties and device applications. It is found that both A4 and B1 hold exceptional mechanical properties. They are type-II semiconductors, and types of band alignment and band gap size can be tuned flexibly by external electric field and vertical strain. Based on such a property, we design a strain-controlled high on–off-ratio mechanical switching device. They also show an excellent light response and high photoelectric power conversion efficiency (PCE), which can be tuned greatly by the external electric field and vertical strain as well. For example, light adsorption in visible and infrared region can be improved greatly by the compressive strain. Particularly, we find for B1 in the intrinsic state or with a small tensile strain of 0.3 Å, or for A4 with small electric field of −0.3 V/Å, they all hold type-II band alignment and have very high PCE and large visible light absorption, based on these results, we propose high-performance solar cell devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The retired PV silicon was used to synthesize the ACS photocatalyst. • The self-circulating system was consist of Ag+-Ag0 and Cl--Cl0 conversions. • ACS exhibit high photocatalytic activity over degrading various PPCPs and dyes. • Ball milled ACS exhibited excellent long-term circulation and pH stability. • Ball milling increased h+ and e- activity, enhancing photocatalytic activity of ACS. Recycling and reusing valuable components of retired photovoltaic (PV) panels, such as crystalline silicon, has become a topic of interest due to the large number of panels are being decommissioned. This study focused on creating a self-circulating Z-scheme AgCl/SiC (ACS) photocatalyst using retiredPV silicon as raw material through a mechanochemical process. The mechanochemical ball milling addressed the issue of unstable photocatalytic performance of AgCl caused by photocorrosion by facilitating rapid interconversion between Ag+ and Ag0, enhancing the pH stability, reusability and photocatalytic activity of ACS. ACS was demonstrated to have significant photocatalytic capabilities in breaking down pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and dye pollutants, achieving complete degradation of PPCPs in 30 min under visible light and over 80% degradation of dyes within the same timeframe. Furthermore, ACS maintained a 99% degradation rate across a pH range of 2 to 10 and sustained a 90% degradation rate after 10 cycles. The results of toxicity analysis indicated that the toxicant of intermediates were decreased gradually and can be controlled in a safe range. The pH stability and broad applicability of ACS make it well-suited for diverse environmental conditions. This ACS photocatalyst represents a promising approach to addressing the issue of photocorrosion in AgCl, and recycling of crystalline silicon from retired PV panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Carboxymethylated lignin-modified Cu 2 O synthesized in a one-step process. • CML@Cu 2 O shows a narrowed bandgap for enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. • Charge separation and transfer significantly improved in CML@Cu 2 O. • Innovative recycling of industrial by-products proposed for water treatment. Carboxymethylated lignin (CML) is a biomass material derived from industrial by-products. In this work, CML modified Cu 2 O by complexation to enhance the removal rate of polystyrene microspheres (PS). A simple one-step method was utilized to synthesize CML modified cuprous oxide photocatalyst (CML@Cu 2 O), and then the degradation of PS under different conditions and mechanisms were investigated. PS solution with165 mg/L was put into degradation experiments and it was demonstrated that the addition of CML not only significantly improved the adsorption capacity from 66.06 % (Cu 2 O) to 82.21 % (CML@Cu 2 O), but also greatly enhanced its photocatalytic performance from 86.88 % (Cu 2 O) to 99.68 % (CML@Cu 2 O) by lowering the bandgap and promoting the separation and transport of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. The present work develops an efficient, green and sustainable photocatalyst for the removal of PS and provides a new idea for the utilization of alkali lignin, a difficult-to-utilize industrial by-product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A binary 0D/2D heterostructure of AgBiS 2 QDs and g-C 3 N 4 was synthesized using a facile method. • C−Bi bond in AgBiS 2 QDs/g-C 3 N 4 acts as an interfacial charge transfer channel for photocatalytic sterilization. • Visible light activation makes the process energy-efficient and suitable for sustainable applications. The escalating threat of antibiotic resistance necessitates alternative antibacterial strategies, with photocatalytic approaches emerging as promising candidates for effectively eliminating pathogens while mitigating resistance development. In this study, we engineered a novel 0D/2D heterojunction photocatalytic antibacterial agent by integrating AgBiS 2 quantum dots (AQDs) with graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C 3 N 4). AQDs were anchored onto the g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets via in-situ electrostatic adsorption, followed by high-temperature annealing to enhance structural stability and ensure strong interfacial bonding. This design facilitates efficient charge separation and transfer between AQDs and g-C 3 N 4 , significantly boosting photocatalytic activity. Comprehensive analyses, including steady-state and transient fluorescence spectroscopy, photocurrent measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, elucidated the charge dynamics and transfer processes. The AQDs/g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure achieved an impressive photocatalytic antibacterial rate within 60 min under visible light irradiation, making it one of the most effective g-C 3 N 4 -based composites reported. The strong interfacial interaction and efficient charge transfer at the interface inhibit the recombination of photogenerated charges, enhancing the composite's bactericidal ability. These findings demonstrate the potential of AQDs/g-C 3 N 4 as a robust strategy against S. aureus , contributing to the development of advanced photocatalytic antibacterial materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthesis of Co-MOF and its decoration with europium. • Co-MO-74 and Eu-MOF74 exhibited superior selectivity towards photodegradation. • The mechanism of photodegradation showed no toxic intermediates formed. • Photodegradation system has high stability and recoverability. • Developed catalyst was effective for realistic application on agro-waste samples. Widespread use of pesticide has demanded their efficient removal from the environment. Co-MOF 74 and Eu/Co-MOF 74 were synthesized using hydrothermal procedure and characterized by XRD, TGA, FTIR, SEM and UV–visible techniqes. Process parameters for pesticide removal i.e., initial pesticide concentration, contact time, temperature and pH were optimized. The photocatalytic performance reached up to 97 % in only 75 min with 0.05 g of composite at pH 9. The characterization revealed that prepared MOFs has significantly higher electron-hole separation potential and faster charge carrier migration for photocatalysis of lufenuron. Recovery and reusability of photocatalyst were also studied. Degradation of lufenuron occurred in 31.5 min in the presence of Eu/Co-MOF74 as compared to 46.2 min recorded in the presence of Co-MOF74 under visible light. Under Ultraviolet irradiation the half life of lufenuron with Eu/Co-MOF74 was 27.49 min as compared to 69.36 min observed with Co MOF74. A high temperature favored the degradation of Lufenuron as is evident by its 97 % degradation at a temperature of 373 K. These results depict that Eu/Co MOF-74 has significant efficiency for photodegradation of lufenuron under UV light. The potential of this material may also be explored for the degradation of other persistent organic pollutants from water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • TCTP was prepared by simultaneously doping Tb and Cu into TiO 2 using the LPP method. • Doping reduces band gap energy and increases photocatalytic activity. • The synergistic effect of co-doping compared to single component doping was confirmed. • TCTP decomposes up to 3 times faster than bare TiO 2 photocatalyst. • The optimal Tb-Cu doping ratio was confirmed to be 1:1 doping. In this study, we successfully developed a photocatalyst that can respond to visible light and exhibit excellent activity by doping terbium and copper simultaneously into TiO 2 powder using the liquid phase plasma method. When Tb/Cu doped TiO 2 photocatalyst (TCTP) was used as a visible light source, the degradation rate increased by up to three times compared with that of bare TiO 2. In the case of co-doped TiO 2 , an apparent synergistic effect of co-doping was confirmed compared to the single-component doping of Tb or Cu. The absorption edge moved to the visible light region owing to simultaneous doping with Tb and Cu, and the greatest bandgap energy reduction was achieved. In addition, Tb and Cu doping induced more oxygen vacancies, reducing the electron-hole recombination rate by forming a charge imbalance. This is believed to improve photocatalytic activity by adsorbing more oxygen molecules and inducing the formation of active radicals. The optimal Tb-Cu doping ratio in this study was confirmed to be 1:1, and it can be used as a potential photocatalyst that can be activated by all light sources, including UV and visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Hybrid smart window of VO2-nSTF thermochromic layer and NMP-LC tunable scattering mode partially blocks IR and tunes VIS. • Non-reciprocal effect is found in this structure suggesting that the better orientation is VO2-nSTF facing the outside world. • VO2-nSTF acts as an alignment layer and electrode for the liquid crystal. • Operation power is reduced by more than an order of magnitude by working at lower frequency. A hybrid smart window is demonstrated by integrating vanadium dioxide (VO 2) nanostructured thin film (nSTF), prepared using oblique angle deposition, with a liquid crystal (LC) doped with nanoporous microparticles (NMP-LC mode). The device exhibits a non-reciprocal effect due to its asymmetric nature involving absorption and scattering layers, where the thermochromic performance is superior when the VO 2 side faces outward. Although the thermochromic properties of VO 2 are slightly reduced during device integration, the infrared (IR) blocking capability is enhanced. When the VO 2 side faces outward, the device achieves T IR ∼ 19 % and R IR ∼ 52 %, compared to T IR ∼ 17 % and R IR ∼ 41 % when the LC side faces outward. This IR blocking, achieved through reflection and absorption, mimics the effect of an insulating layer, contributing to energy savings. The LC, enriched with nanoporous microparticles, exhibits a tunable scattering effect that allows dynamic control of visible light transparency. Additionally, the VO 2 nSTF aligns the LC and functions as an electrode, lowering production costs. The optical properties of the VO 2 nSTF are modeled using the anisotropic Bruggeman formalism and the 4 × 4 matrix formalism. The transmission and reflection characteristics in the non-scattering state agree well with experimental observations for both the VO 2 nSTF and the full device. However, in the scattering state, while general trends are captured, quantitative agreement requires more rigorous scattering models. The operation voltage is found to decrease when the frequency is reduced, hence reducing the required operation power by more than an order of magnitude. The integration of the two materials, VO 2 and NMP-LC, enhances the functionality of smart windows, advancing their potential for achieving near-zero energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Molecular-level characterization of defects engineered IrO2 nanoparticles. • Enhanced photo- and electrocatalytic properties of IrO2 through metal ion doping. • Charge transfer between IrO2 and metal ions dopants resulting surface defects. • Enhanced photo- and electrocatalytic conversion of biomass and cysteine. The growing global energy demand underscores the urgent need for cost-effective visible light-activated photocatalysts capable of efficiently converting diverse molecules into energy-relevant compounds. In parallel, advancements in catalyst synthesis methodologies have intensified research efforts aimed at developing multifunctional catalysts that synergistically integrate photocatalytic and electrocatalytic functionalities. A prevailing strategy to enhance catalytic efficiency in nanoparticles (NPs) focuses on increasing the concentration of active sites, particularly oxygen vacancies, which are critical for improving both photocatalytic and electrocatalytic performance. To address this challenge, IrO 2 nanoparticles were employed as electrocatalysts and doped with transition metal ions, specifically Cr and Co, to systematically investigate their dual photocatalytic and electrocatalytic properties. Structural and electronic characterizations confirmed that the doping process effectively induced the formation of oxygen vacancies. Among the doped systems, Cr-doped IrO 2 (Cr@IrO 2) NPs exhibited superior photocatalytic activity, which was attributed to significant improvements in visible light absorption compared to both undoped IrO 2 and Co-doped IrO 2 NPs. This enhancement is primarily ascribed to the incorporation of Cr ions on the IrO 2 surface, which introduced a higher density of oxygen vacancies due to charge mismatch phenomena, thereby amplifying visible light absorption intensity and catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy-efficient catalysis technology is highly desired for the emission reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Photothermal catalytic oxidation holds promise for the intention. Herein, we reported a photothermal catalyst CeO 2 / δ - MnO 2 with heterojunction for catalytic oxidizing toluene with high efficiency through the hydrothermal method. A 90% conversion rate for 200 ppm toluene over the catalyst could be achieved at 118 °C under the gas hourly space velocity of 36,000 mL / (g h) with the irradiation of 350 mW/cm 2 visible light. The excellent performance can be largely related to the construction of heterojunctions between CeO 2 and δ - MnO 2 . This study may provide an energy-efficient way for catalytic degradation of VOCs and insight into rational design for photothermal catalysts. [Display omitted] • CeO 2 / δ - MnO 2 catalyst was prepared via a hydrothermal method. • CeO 2 / δ - MnO 2 photothermal catalyst showed deep mineralization of toluene. • The excellent photothermal catalytic performance was attributed to heterojunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aromatic amine molecules are grafted to the 2D surface of MoS x Se y. • Adsorption and activation of CO 2 are facilitated on the surface of aromatic amine grafted MoS x Se y. • Production of photocatalytic CO 2 reduction is significantly enhanced. The adsorption and activation of CO 2 are two essential steps during the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2. However, CO 2 molecules, being non-polar and linear, are thermodynamically too stable to be activated. In this work, we graft aromatic amine molecules to the surface of two-dimensional MoS x Se y to improve its photocatalytic efficiency. Thus, the photongenerated electrons would swiftly transfer from MoS x Se y to the grafted molecules under the excitation of the visible light, which conducts strong interaction with CO 2 to promote its adsorption. In addition, MoS x Se y with grafted aromatic amine molecules exhibited strong reduction ability to trigger the activation of adsorbed CO 2 , and to facilitate the consequent deoxidization and hydrogenation, significantly improving the final production. The proposed grafting of aromatic amine molecules could be a promising strategy for effectively activating CO 2 photoreduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Defect engineering on InBiSe 3 is an effective tool for tuning its electronic structure to empower polarization-sensitive photodetector and spintronic device. • Se 2 -Vacancy device generates enhanced photocurrents via the photogalvanic effect with merits of self-powered, broadband photoresponsive, polarization sensitivity and high extinction ratio. • In-vacancy converts InBiSe 3 from a non-magnetic semiconductor to a half-metallic material and exhibits an excellent spin-filtering effect at some discrete incident photon energy. The performance of polarization-sensitive photodetectors, which are essential components in optical communication systems, directly influence the quality of transmitted information. However, developing reliable self-powered devices with polarization sensitivity and multi-band response still remain a significant challenge. Based on density functional theory (DFT), surface spin engineering on the electronic structure of two-dimension (2D) InBiSe 3 is proposed for developing the polarization-sensitive self-powered photoelectronic devices through the photogalvanic and spin filtering effects. It indicates that Se 2 -Vacancy device can generate a robust photocurrent with excellent polarization sensitivity under the irradiation of linearly polarized light from near infrared (NIR) to visible light (VIS) spectrum and the extinction ratio is approximately four times that of the pristine InBiSe 3. Moreover, the In-Vacancy device exhibits an excellent spin filtering effect when the incident photon energy is 2.1 eV. These results demonstrate the potential applications of InBiSe 3 -based devices in polarization detection, high performance, and self-powered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • M2+ (M = Fe、Co、Ni) was anchored in sp2c-COF dpy by post-metalation strategy. • sp2c-COF dpy -Co exhibited quick photogenerated e-/h+ separation efficiency. • The optimized Pt@sp2c-COF dpy -Co exhibited a high HER rate of 324.4 μmol/h. • The AQY of Pt@sp2c-COF dpy -Co reached to 2.1 % at 500 nm. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a crystalline porous materials for photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, the design of efficient COF-based catalyst for satisfactory solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion is still challenging. Here, cobalt was anchored on the bipyridine moieties in the framework of olefin-linked sp2c-COF dpy by convenient post-metalation (sp2c-COF dpy -Co). Experimental results showed that sp2c-COF dpy -Co exhibited wider visible light absorption region and quicker photogenerated e-/h+ separation efficiency than sp2c-COF dpy. Photocatalytic experiments revealed that sp2c-COF dpy -Co was highly efficient for H 2 production after photodeposition of Pt co-catalyst (Pt@sp2c-COF dpy -Co). The optimized Pt@sp2c-COF dpy -Co exhibited a high photocatalytic H 2 production rate of 324.4 μmol/h under visible light irradiation in the presence of 1.0 wt% Pt as co-catalyst, which was higher than Pt@sp2c-COF dpy -Fe and Pt@sp2c-COF dpy -Ni, and it was much higher than that of its counterparts and many reported works. This work provides new insights into design of highly efficient COF-based catalyst for photocatalytic H 2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • (Au or Ag)NPs BiOBr and La 2 Ti 2 O 7 favor effective photocatalytic activity. • The 0D/2D/2D AgNPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunction is an All-Solid-State Z-scheme. • Under simulated sunlight AgNPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunctions degrade dyes and sulfadiazine. • (Au or Ag)NPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunction produced good hydrogen photogeneration. The chemical design of new photocatalytic materials with enhanced activity is central in water remediation treatments. Herein, we report on an innovative 0D/2D/2D MNPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr (M = Au or Ag) heterojunction synthesized in a two-stage hydrothermal method. La 2 Ti 2 O 7 was firstly decorated with AgNPs or AuNPs followed by the growth of BiOBr. Characterization techniques allowed to confirm the crystallinity, morphology, composition, textural, electrochemical, and optical properties of the MNPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunctions. A comprehensive analysis was performed to evaluate the molar composition of 2D semiconductors (La 2 Ti 2 O 7 and BiOBr) for the photocatalytic degradation of the Rhodamine-B (RhB) under simulated solar irradiation. The best photocatalytic activity was observed for the 1:2 La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunction decorated with AuNPs (AuNPs@2:1). The AgNPs@1:2 heterojunction demonstrated effective charge migration and separation of the exciton (h VB + – e CB -), as well as the desired prolonged electron (e CB -) lifetime. The electrochemical characterization together with photochemical studies suggest an All-Solid-State Z-scheme (ASS-Z-scheme) type charge transfer mechanism. In addition to the excellent performance as an oxidizing agent of organic molecules, MNPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunctions exhibit excellent performance towards H 2 generation, achieving up to 412 μ m o l ∙ g - 1 ∙ h - 1 under UV illumination and up to 39 μ m o l ∙ g - 1 ∙ h - 1 under visible light, demonstrating the multifaceted behavior of MNPs@La 2 Ti 2 O 7 @BiOBr heterojunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • BDE209 is rapidly degraded by 95 % within 6 min under visible light (λ > 400 nm). • Selective C-Br bond activation is achieved via Br vacancies enriched bismuth oxybromide. • The selectivity of meta- debromination on Br vacancies is as high as 74%. • The homologous Br vacancy is more conducive to accommodate Br atom of BDE209 in atomic size and electronic structure. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have attracted increasing attention due to their biotoxicity and persistence. Herein, rapid degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209) was achieved on bromine vacancies enriched BiOBr (BOB-V Br) nanosheets, with a degradation rate for BDE209 under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm) exceeding 95 % within 6 min. The initial two minutes serve as an induction period, during which the Br vacancies were in-situ introduced into the BiOBr (BOB) nanosheets. By precisely controlling the duration of photoinduction, varying concentrations of Br vacancies were successfully generated on the surface of the BOB nanosheets. Consequently, an enhanced degradation rate of BDE209 was observed in direct correlation with the increased concentration of Br vacancies. BOB-V Br showed a remarkable selectivity of 74 % for meta- product (BDE207). This selectivity towards BDE207 surpasses that of other anionic vacancies, as oxygen, sulfur, and iodine vacancies. The in-situ generated Br vacancies help to accommodate the Br atom of BDE209 in atomic size and electronic structure, thus facilitating the activation of the C-Br bond and achieving rapid BDE209 debromination. This work provides a new insight for the treatment of organic halogenated pollutants by photocatalysts with homologous halogen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual S-scheme heterojunction synergistically facilitate electron transfer in the ternary composite g-C 3 N 4 /CoAl-LDH@MIL-53(Fe) for improved photocatalytic H 2 production. [Display omitted] • Dual S-scheme heterojunction g-C 3 N 4 /CoAl-LDH@MIL-53(Fe) was constructed. • Achieved 7.1 times higher H 2 rate than single heterojunction CoAl-LDH@MIL-53(Fe). • Double S-scheme pathway provides efficient electron-hole separation. • Electron acceptors-donors facilitate synergistic electron transfer. • Ternary composite shows sustained H 2 production over five cycles. The construction of dual-type heterojunction photocatalysts for efficient hydrogen (H 2) production through water splitting is a promising method in the field of photocatalysis. In this work, a ternary photocatalyst of g-C 3 N 4 /CoAl-LDH@MIL-53(Fe) with a dual S-scheme heterojunction was prepared for the first time. This composite demonstrates outstanding photocatalytic performance under visible light, reaching as high as H 2 production rate of 1222.2 µmol·g−1·h−1 for the optimized g-C 3 N 4 /CoAl-LDH 40 @MIL-53(Fe) (60) , which was 7.1 times higher than that of the single heterojunction CoAl-LDH 40 @MIL-53(Fe). The dual heterojunction design narrows the bandgap, increases photocurrent density, and reduces photoluminescence intensity, thereby improving visible light absorption and charge carrier separation. MIL-53(Fe) serves as excellent electron donor, while CoAl-LDH and g-C 3 N 4 act as electron acceptors, which synergistically facilitate electron transfer in CoAl-LDH@MIL-53(Fe). Furthermore, the tight contact interface of g-C 3 N 4 /CoAl-LDH@MIL-53(Fe) establishes a dual S-scheme charge carrier transfer pathway with abundant active sites which are pivotal for the efficient separation of electrons and holes. A plausible mechanism for the photocatalytic water splitting to H 2 was proposed, elucidating the role of the dual S-scheme heterojunction in boosting H 2 production. Current work provides a promising strategy for fabricating dual heterojunction photocatalyst to achieve efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Zr 2 CO 2 /WSSe heterojunction has ultrahigh photocurrent (47.02 a 0 2 /photon). • Mxene/WSSe heterojunction has obvious absorption peak in visible light region. • Mxene/WSSe heterojunction has the Gibb free energy change that tends to zero. Density functional theory is used in this work to examine the photoelectric properties of the Hf 2 CO 2 /WSSe and the Zr 2 CO 2 /WSSe. The calculation results show that these heterojunctions have significant peaks of absorption in the visible region compared with intrinsic materials, indicating that they can effectively capture visible light. Furthermore, the change of Gibbs free energy tends to zero, which is beneficial to the spontaneous reaction of electrocatalytic water splitting to produce H 2. Interestingly, by calculating photocurrent, we found that the maximum photocurrent of the Hf 2 CO 2 /WSSe reached 14.09 a 0 2 /photon, and that of the Zr 2 CO 2 /WSSe up to 47.02 a 0 2 /photon, which showed extremely high photoelectric response sensitivity, making Hf 2 CO 2 /WSSe and the Zr 2 CO 2 /WSSe can be used to design high-performance photodetector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Indicone nanostructuring layers is synthesized with Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD). • Employed N,N-Dimethyltrimethylsilylamine as a small molecule inhibitor to control surface nucleation, resulting in distinct indicone nanostructures. • Confirmed changes in height and nanostructure formation via Atomic Force Microscopy, demonstrating the potential nanofabrication. Our study introduces a novel approach to forming transparent nanostructured surfaces using novel surface engineering technique of indicone, a promising organic–inorganic hybrid material with high potential for next-generation optical applications. By combining an indium metal–organic precursor with phloroglucinol in the MLD process, we achieved indicone layers that exhibit approximately 70% transmittance in the visible spectrum and a refractive index of 1.7–2.0, making them ideal for advanced metasurface application. To gain effective control over surface nucleation and enhance nanostructural definition, we employed N,N-Dimethyltrimethylsilylamine (DMA-TMS) as a small molecule inhibitor (SMI). The inhibitor's chemical adaptability, reduced steric hindrance, and high surface coverage enabled the controlled growth of indicone nanostructures after 16 MLD cycles, achieving a transparent surface with finely tuned morphology. Also, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) provided direct visualization of the nanoscale changes in z-height and morphology, highlighting the successful control achieved through DMA-TMS regulation. Surfaces without SMI treatment showed rapid nucleation and smoothness, emphasizing the impact of our approach in forming nanoscale features. These findings underscore the effectiveness of our surface engineering technique for creating transparent, nanostructured indicone surfaces, with AFM analysis playing a pivotal role in verifying morphological control. This method advances nanofabrication techniques, supporting the integration of indicone in a variety of next-generation optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Highly hydrophilic Au-TiO 2 nanoparticles tightly bind to the bacterial outer membrane protein to form a composite system. • Au-TiO 2 / Shewanella biohybrid system realizes gold plasma-excited photoelectrons for the effective reduction of chromium. • Photoelectron absorption regulates c-cyt expression in bacteria to promote microbial extracellular electron transfer. The application of microbe-photocatalyst biohybrid (MPB) systems to pollutant removals has drawn considerable attentions due to the high demands on energy shortage and environmental pollution prevention. However, the stability and utilization rate of photoelectrons generated under the photocatalysis of plasmonic metals are still low. Herein, we constructed a new Au-TiO 2 / Shewanella biohybrid system by combining photocatalyst and electrogenic bacteria to realize the plasmon-induced visible-light-driven reduction of hexavalent chromium. The highly hydrophilic Au-TiO 2 and the outer membrane protein (OmcA) of Shewanella were effectively complexed to form a tight composite. The irradiation of visible light increases the expression level of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the MPB system and upregulates the function gene of OmcA and MtrC, suggesting that the photoelectrons are absorbed by the conductive protein and deposited into the microbes to realize high efficiency chromium removal (68.9%). This study successfully utilize the photogenerated electrons under the catalysis of plasmonic gold nanoparticles and opens up a new avenue to the application of MPB system in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti 3 C 2 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 Schottky heterojunction exhibits the high efficiency for visible-light TCH photodegradation due to its superior electron-hole pair separation efficiency, enhanced light harvesting capacity, 2D/2D Schottky heterojunction and the existence photothermal energy effect. [Display omitted] • Electronic structure of Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 is regulated by layered Ti 3 C 2 material. • 2D/2D Ti 3 C 2 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 Schottky junction is prepared for TCH photodegradation. • Ti 3 C 2 efficiently boosts photodegradation activity of Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2. • TCH photodegradation is investigated in a complex system containing various ions. • Photodegradation mechanism is discussed based on theoretical calculations and experimental results. In the ecological environment, tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) is one of the excessive antibiotics from water, which has watched the eye of researchers. Developing a high-performance photocatalyst to address this phenomenon still faces a big challenge. Herein, we describe a straightforward chemical procedure in-situ self-assembly via one-step solvothermal process to create a new two-dimensional/two-dimensional (2D/2D) Ti 3 C 2 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 heterojunction. The heterojunction at the interface with a strong chemical interaction between Ti 3 C 2 and Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 is well revealed by the serial characterizations and theoretical calculations. The superior photocatalytic activity of Ti 3 C 2 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 is attributed to its low recombination rate of electrons and holes, photothermal effect, high electron transfer during reactions and high photochemical current. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism over Ti 3 C 2 /Bi 12 O 17 Cl 2 is also provided. This work provides an intriguing strategy for the construction of superior photocatalysts for pollutant degradation using MXene as co-catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • SmVO 4 and hBN were prepared using a simple hydrothermal method. • The optimum nanocomposite SB-1 achieves the highest degradation efficiency of 85% within 150 mins. • The separation of electrons and holes was mainly due to the formation of SmVO 4 /hBN heterojunction interface formation. • The degradation mechanism of optimum nanocomposite SB-1 was also explained. The broad utilization of pharmaceutical antibiotics significantly impacts water sources and biological systems. For the effective degradation of antibiotics, it is crucial to design them rationally, and a complete understanding of their catalytic mechanism is required. Although countless photocatalysts have been developed, most must meet the intricate demands. In this regard, a metal oxide-based photocatalyst with type – II heterojunction was systematically fabricated by integrating hBN and SmVO 4 with three different stoichiometric ratios. In tetracycline (TC) degradation, the optimized composite SmVO 4 /hBN (SB-1) exhibits an enhanced efficacy of about 85% in 150 mins. Due to the combined impact of heterogeneous interlinking contacts, the catalytic efficacy of the nanocomposites is improved. The advancement in charge carrier separation and transfer improves visible light absorption, which augments the photocatalyst's redox capability. The process includes indirect oxidation by reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals during TC degradation and was verified by trapping experiments. The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of TC through SB-1 nanocomposite is proposed, and the recycle experiments illustrate the stability of SB-1 photocatalyst. Considering the band position analysis, the present research contributes to develop type – II heterojunction metal oxide-based materials with enhanced catalytic activity toward pharmaceutical pollutant degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Our study demonstrated the successfully synthesis of hexagonal and cubic shaped Cu nanostructures using polyol synthesis process trough optimised reaction conditions. • Copper nanostructure morphology controlled through temperature: Cu cube (for nucleation 140°C and 80°C for growth), Cu hexagonal (80°C) • Low cost Cu plasmonics nanostructures exhibited excellent Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement for Rhodamine B (RhB). • Photoluminescence (PL) quenching of RhB observed in presence of both Cuhex and Cucube nanostructures due to energy transfer. • Cuhex demonstrates excellent catalytic and visible light plasmonic photocatalysis for para-nitrophenol (p-NP) reduction reaction. Nanoparticles of plasmonic metals such as gold (Au), silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) have numerous applications due to their localized surface plasmon resonance. Among these, nanoparticles of Cu remain underexplored when compared to Au and Ag, although the former is much cheaper. Here we report the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), interaction of molecule with a plasmonics and photocatalysis applications of Cu nanostructures. Hexagonal and cubic shaped Cu nanostructures were successfully synthesized by varying the reaction conditions in a polyol synthesis method. Rapid nucleation at an elevated temperature (140 °C) and subsequent slow growth at lower temperature (80 °C) in presence of PVP polymeric stabilizer resulted in the formation of uniform cube shaped Cu nanoparticles (Cu cube). Whereas polyol synthesis at a low temperature (80 °C) resulted in hexagonal Cu nanoparticles (Cu hex). Cu hex exhibited higher SERS enhancement compared to Cu cube. Specifically, Using 532, 633 and 785 nm lasers, Cu hex showed enhancement factor 9.0×105. The detection limit as low as 10-10 M for RhB using Cu hex. Moreover, based on emission and time-dependent measurements, strong molecular and plasmonic interactions reveal energy transfer from RhB molecules to the Cu nanostructures. Additionally, Cu hex showed very good catalytic and visible light plasmonic photocatalytic activities for the para-nitrophenol (p-NP) reduction reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Waste biomass-derived CDs in-situ anchored porous g-C 3 N 4 tubes were prepared. • CDs facilitate the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. • CSTCN showed enhanced SY degradation and sterilization activity under visible light. • CSTCN alginate sponge can remove SY and E. coli from fruit juice simultaneously. Chemical hazardous substances and hazardous pathogenic bacteria pose a serious risk to human health. The development of efficient, safe and simple removal technologies is urgent. In this study, waste biomass derived carbon dots in-situ anchored porous g-C 3 N 4 tubes were prepared by supramolecular self-assembly method. The prepared photocatalyst exhibited enhanced light absorption, large surface area, and abundant reactive sites. Photoelectrochemical analyses confirmed that the introduction of CDs could effectively promote the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers with enhanced degradation of sunset yellow (95.4 %) and inactivation of Escherichia coli (98.3 %) under visible light. Furthermore, the development of g-C 3 N 4 loaded floatable porous alginate sponges for the simultaneous removal of E. coli and sunset yellow from fruit juices, obtaining efficient purification results and satisfactory overall acceptability. This work provides a feasible pathway for photocatalytic decontamination of contaminated liquid food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The photocatalytic degradation rate of TC using the 30% ZnS/Mn 0.08 -Bi 2 MoO 6 composite increased by 11.1 times and 3.7 times compared to pure Bi 2 MoO 6 and ZnS, respectively. • Mn doping and the modification of ZnS nanoparticles effectively improved the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated charges. • Combining DFT calculations and experimental results revealed the photocatalytic mechanism of the 30% ZnS/Mn 0.08 -Bi 2 MoO 6 composite. Environmental pollution presents significant challenges to both human production and daily life. Photocatalytic technology offers a promising solution for environmental remediation, and Bi 2 MoO 6 is widely recognized as an excellent visible light photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants. Nevertheless, the high recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers in Bi 2 MoO 6 limits the number of charge carriers available for photocatalytic reactions, resulting in reduced photocatalytic efficiency. To overcome this limitation, we designed and synthesized a composite photocatalyst (30% ZnS/Mn 0.08 -Bi 2 MoO 6). Mn-doped Bi 2 MoO 6 nanosheets (Mn-Bi 2 MoO 6) were prepared through a simple coprecipitation method, and ZnS nanoparticles were introduced to modify the surface, forming a ZnS/Mn-Bi 2 MoO 6 composite photocatalyst. Experimental results demonstrated that the photocatalytic degradation rate of tetracycline using the 30% ZnS/Mn 0.08 -Bi 2 MoO 6 composite increased 11.1 times and 3.7 times compared with pure Bi 2 MoO 6 and ZnS, respectively. The formation of ZnS/Mn-Bi 2 MoO 6 heterojunction was confirmed through XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM analyses. Furthermore, photoelectrochemical measurements, including photocurrent, EIS, and PL, indicated that Mn doping and the ZnS nanoparticle modification significantly improved the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. DFT calculations and experimental results revealed the photocatalytic mechanism of the 30% ZnS/Mn 0.08 -Bi 2 MoO 6 composite. This study provides valuable theoretical and technical insights into photocatalyst modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A Bi 2 S 3 /MIL-101 (Fe) catalyst degrades tetracycline under visible light based on the current work. • Higher charge carrier separation accelerates the improvement of the photo-Fenton process. • The catalyst also has high recyclability and reusability over many regeneration cycles. • Superoxide as well as hydroxyl radicals are responsible for photocatalytic degradation step. Combining photocatalytic technology with the Fenton system may help overcome these technologies' limitations. Photo-Fenton catalysis is economical and eco-friendly. The Fe based heterogeneous photo-Fenton process appears to be a promising wastewater treatment technology. Herein, an Fe based metal–organic framework (MIL-101 (Fe)) was produced via hydrothermal processing. Subsequently, Bi 2 S 3 was loaded onto the surface of MIL-101 (Fe) to form a composite catalyst. A type-II heterojunction was established between MIL-101 (Fe) and Bi 2 S 3. The 10 % Bi 2 S 3 -loaded MIL-101 (Fe) (MBS-10) was effective in the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, particularly after H 2 O 2 addition. This outcome was due to the enhanced generation of radical species through the photo-Fenton process. The MBS-10 photocatalyst promoted Fe (II)/Fe (III) cycling in the presence of H 2 O 2 and under visible light irradiation. MBS-10 also showed a higher kinetic rate constant during the photocatalytic reaction compared to MIL-101 (Fe) and Bi 2 S 3 , suggesting enhanced activity through greater electron-hole separation. Furthermore, MBS-10 proved to be stable and reusable photocatalyst after four testing cycles. The charge-transfer mechanism was elucidated through radical scavenging experiments which demonstrated that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are the major charge carriers. Therefore, the Bi 2 S 3 -MIL-101 (Fe) composite exhibits great potential for degrading tetracycline antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Constructing dual-channel carrier transfer to promote electron/hole separation. • AgBr/BiOBr/Ag 3 PO 4 heterojunction generates more reactive oxygen species. • AgBr/BiOBr/Ag 3 PO 4 heterojunction exhibits NO removal efficiency of 54.95%. Efficient and stable photocatalysts are indispensable for effectively reducing nitrogen oxide (NO x) emissions. This study presents a facile method for synthesizing AgBr/BiOBr/Ag 3 PO 4 composites and investigates their application in photocatalytic NO removal. The optimized composite exhibited notable performance, achieving 54.95 % removal of NO (approximately 568 ppb reduced to 256 ppb) under visible light irradiation, which is about 1.6 and 2.0 times higher than single Ag 3 PO 4 (34.95 %) and BiOBr (28.01 %), respectively. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization highlighted enhancements in light absorption and the generation of reactive radicals within the AgBr/BiOBr/Ag 3 PO 4 composite. The favorable electronic structure, characterized by well-aligned redox band positions, facilitated efficient dual carrier transport routes, thereby promoting the separation of photo-generated charge carriers. Additionally, in-situ DRIFTS analysis revealed that the composite facilitated the conversion of intermediates into nitrates during the NO purification process. This work contributes valuable insights into designing and preparing of ternary heterojunction photocatalysts with dual carrier transport channels, advancing strategies for achieving superior photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The optimal transition metal for decorating the surface of ZnO was shown to be nickel • The optimal grafting concentration was 0.5 wt.% • The clusters were below 2 nm in size and were identified as oxo-clusters • The improved reduction activity was due to the co-catalyst nature of the nickel clusters • Such material was immobilized onto glass beads and used in flow through mode to purify water under visible light The efficient visible light driven photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI) was demonstrated using ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with oxo-clusters of transition metals. The ZnO NPs were synthesized by a facile one-pot solvothermal synthesis followed by a fast microwave-assisted (MW) grafting of transition metals on the surface of NPs. Nickel was found to be the most active transition metal for photocatalytic activity as demonstrated by reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The optimally grafted samples contained 0.5 wt% Ni and increased photocatalytic activity by almost one-fold. The oxo-clusters did not enter the lattice of ZnO but rather resided on the surface and their efficient bonding to the ZnO surface was proved by Raman, TEM and X-Ray absorption techniques. Influence of MW power was studied and shown that excessive power load leads to formation of elongated structures of ZnO which decreases the photocatalytic activity. It was demonstrated by measuring fluorescent radical products that electrons, efficiently transferred via oxygen, were the main active species in combination with the unchanged oxidation power of holes and •OH in the grafted samples. The applicability of the materials was tested in immobilized plug flow photoreactor system degrading five pharmaceuticals simultaneously where their long-term use was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • NiMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 S-scheme heterojunction nanoplates were successfully constructed through hydrothermal method. • NiMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 S-scheme heterojunction nanoplates extend the light adsorption range and enhance separation of photo-induced carriers. • The conversions of phenol can achieve to 79.3 % for 180 min using 3 wt% NiMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4. • OH·, h+ and ·O 2 − are involved in the photocatalytic degradation of phenol throughout the formation of S-scheme heterojunction. In this work, a novel S-scheme heterojunction between nickel molybdate nanorods and layered graphitic carbon nitride was successfully prepared through a facile hydrothermal method for effective phenol photodegradation. The formation of nickel molybdate decorated graphitic carbon nitride (NiMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4) heterojunction not only significantly improves the separation efficiency of photoinduced electron-hole but also expands the assimilation range of visible light. As a result, for the 3 wt% NiMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 sample, the degradation efficiency of phenol is the best, up to 79.3 % within 3 h under visible light irradiation, which is 1.9 times higher than that of the bare g-C 3 N 4. The S-scheme heterojunction also shows favorable stability after five consecutive reuses. The work gives a novel research direction about reducing pollution and alleviating environmental pressure in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Vacancy-abundant SnO 2 quantum dots can effeciently interact with gas molecules with maximized surface area. • p -Si provides signal amplification with its excellent conductivity and visible light sensitivity. • The device exhibited ppm level hydrogen detection under room-temperature condition with green light illumination. • Detection mechanism was investigated throughout materials characteristics and the matching energy band analysis. The continuous monitoring of the hydrogen gas level under low-temperature conditions is vital to prevent explosive accidents. Metal oxide-based chemoresistors have attracted significant attention owing to their excellent gas sensitivity. However, high operating temperature required to remove adsorbed oxygen species is still considered as an obstacle, limiting the application of the system. In addressing the temperature issue, this study introduced an approach in which a gas interaction layer was separated from the signal-sensing region. The proposed two-terminal device comprises a gas interaction layer of SnO 2 quantum dots (QDs) and a p -doped silicon (p -Si) region characterized by high electronic conductivity and light sensitivity. Through visible light illumination, the recombination between gas interaction-induced electrons and photo-generated holes induces a change in output photocurrent, enabling room-temperature gas sensing without additional temperature control. Using this gas sensing scheme, the proposed sensor showed impressive gas detection performance in the low-temperature range, achieving a detection range of a few parts per million (ppm) in concentration (limit of detection range: 9.46–50 ppm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Carbon self-doping in the specific site of the framework over g-C 3 N 4 was precisely fabricated. • Photocatalytic hydrogen rate has been enhanced about 7 folds than that of pristine g-C 3 N 4. • DFT analysis and characterization results revealed the photocatalytic mechanism. • Direct incorporation −N-C = C- sites into network of g-C 3 N 4 was conducive to the increased photoinduced carrier migration. Substituting carbon for nitrogen in g-C 3 N 4 enhances π-electrons activity and photocatalytic performance, despite the challenges posed by the higher electronegativity of nitrogen. We successfully achieved the substitution of C atoms for N atoms via the copolymerization of melamine and cytosine utilizing the Schiff base reaction, altering the g-C 3 N 4 band structure from 2.74 to 2.49 eV and enhancing photoinduced electron reduction due to the introduction of −N-C = C- unit into the g-C 3 N 4 network. The C-incorporated g-C 3 N 4 extended the light-response range to 673 nm and improved the electron cloud density around the self-doping sites, significantly reducing the ΔG H* as indicated the DFT results, implying the efficient separation and migration of photoinduced carriers in g-C 3 N 4. As anticipated, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) rate of the optimized C self-doped g-C 3 N 4 was five and seven times higher than that of the pristine g-C 3 N 4 under the full spectrum and the visible light (λ ≥ 400 nm), respectively. Moreover, g-C 3 N 4 - n also display superior activity (6.73, 4.48, 3.42, and 0.76 %) under the different wavelengths (λ = 420, 450, 480 nm, and 540 nm respectively). This report reveals a subtle atom-tailoring scheme to control carbon self-doping sites within the g-C 3 N 4 framework, modulating its inherent electronic properties and photoactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline heptazine g-C 3 N 4 with a high specific surface area and abundant cyano groups was synthesized by molten salt post-treatment strategy combining with adjusting the ratio of urea and melamine, which showed high-efficient H 2 O 2 production rate up to 10.94 mmol∙g−1∙h−1, far exceeding that of most g-C 3 N 4 -based photocatalysts in reported literatures. [Display omitted] • Crystalline g-C 3 N 4 with less PTI chains and more cyano groups was prepared. • Precursor regulation and molten salt treatment induced thinner g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. • CN-U20M shows high-efficient H 2 O 2 production rate up to 10.94 mmol∙g−1∙h−1. • Extended intraplanar basic units and interlayer K ions accounts for the high activity. Graphitic phase carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) is considered one of the most promising catalysts for photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) due to its green and non-polluting nature and stability. However, the conventional g-C 3 N 4 prepared by direct thermal polymerization has insufficient reaction sites due to its excessive bulk defects derived from incomplete polymerization and low specific surface area, leading to rapid carrier recombination and limited photocatalytic activity. In this work, a series of crystalline g-C 3 N 4 (CN-UxM) with large specific surface areas have been prepared by a molten salt post-treatment strategy with regulating the precursor ratio of urea to melamine. In-situ KPFM, photoelectrochemical experiment and DFT calculation results show that the sample with an optimized urea/melamine ratio of 20 (CN-U20M) has the highest charge separation and transfer efficiency derived from the internal electric field. And its H 2 O 2 production rate under simulated visible light reaches as high as 10.94 mmol∙g−1∙h−1, far exceeding that of most g-C 3 N 4 -based photocatalysts in reported literatures. The present work provides an effective strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 , which is expected to be applied to other organic semiconductor catalytic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ethanol-quenching introduces both surface oxygen vacancies (V O s) and bulk single electron trapped oxygen vacancies (SETOVs) to CaTiO 3. • The band gap is narrowed and the visible light absorption ability is enhanced after quenching. • The photocatalytic RhB degradation and hydrogen evolution reaction are significantly promoted on the ethanol-quenched Q E -CaTiO 3. • DFT calculations verify the narrowed band gap and the accumulated electrons near the Fermi level. Oxygen vacancies (V O s) play a pivotal role in promoting the photocatalytic activities of perovskite oxides. Herein, we proposed a simple and effective strategy of introducing both surface oxygen vacancies and bulk single electron trapped oxygen vacancies (SETOVs) into CaTiO 3 by ethanol quenching. The purchased CaTiO 3 was preheated at 800 °C and then the hot CaTiO 3 was quenched in ethanol instantly. The ethanol-quenched Q E -CaTiO 3 delivers much improved photocatalytic activities towards both RhB degradation and hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation by 6.5 and 65.2 times, respectively, in comparison with the pristine CaTiO 3. Both the bulk SETOVs and surface V O s enhance light absorption, and the surface V O s serve as photocatalytic active sites. DFT calculations further reveal the narrowed band gap and accumulated charge density near the Fermi level in Q E -CaTiO 3 , which help the visible light absorption, facilitate charge carriers generation and migration, and promote photocatalytic activities. Our findings provide an efficient and easily scalable approach to engineering oxygen vacancy defects in photocatalysts and other catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ti a Zr b O c nanoparticles were prepared and tested in the SMX photodegradation. • The higher Zr% the lower the particle size increasing the exposed surface area. • Zirconium titanates are detected by XRD and XPS. • E g decreases to 2.8 eV due to the zirconium titanates/titania heterojunction. • An impressive SMX photodegradation rate of 80.1% was obtained using blue-LED. Solar photocatalysis has emerged as a cost-effective and efficient approach to address water remediation challenges. Nonetheless, there is a pressing requirement to innovate and design novel photocatalysts capable of utilizing solar or visible light. In this study, morphology control and surface sensitization techniques were integrated to engineer titania-based photocatalysts that operate efficiently under blue LED light. This is accomplished through the synthesis of Ti a Zr b O c materials (TiXZrY) with finely tuned nano-scale dimensions, employing meticulous control through the reversed two-emulsion technique. This innovative approach has yielded remarkable performance in the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants. Zr contents highly affect the size and, thus, the active surface of the photocatalysts. XRD results indicate that a low Zr content zirconium titanates are formed whereas at high Zr contents zirconia cubic phase is the main crystalline structure detected. The heterojunction created between the zirconium titanate and the titania anatase phases can be responsible of the band gap reduction observed (Eg = 2.8 eV). A SMX degradation percent as high as 80.1 % with a decrease of the treated water toxicity was obtained for Ti70Zr30 under blue-LEDs irradiation which is explained based on the formation of zirconium titanates observed by XRD and XPS and the high active surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Nanostructured SnO x -TiO 2 thin film photocatalyst by binder free method. • Structure and phase analysis confirmed defects induction and phase change. • Defects resulted in reduced bandgap and enhanced visible light absorption. • High rates of visible light degradation for cationic and anionic dyes. • Photoelectrochemical studies show efficient carrier generation and transport. Advanced oxidative removal of organic pollutants from water bodies using nanoparticles of metal oxide photocatalysts is a concurrent hot topic. In the present study, SnO x -TiO 2 heterogeneous nanocomposite thin film photocatalysts have been synthesized using SnO and TiO 2 precursors by binder-free doctor blade technique. X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the presence of anatase TiO 2 as a major phase at elevated temperatures. Raman spectra analysis confirmed phase transformation and defect induction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized to determine the purity and chemical condition of the synthesized thin films. The porous nature of the thin film surface was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy. UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy results showed a reduction of bandgap from 3 eV to 2.6 eV with enhanced light absorption. The superior oxygen evolution reaction, redox nature and charge carrier generation were demonstrated using photo-electrochemical techniques. Improved photoresponse of the photocatalysts was observed using chrono-amperometry technique. The superior visible light-driven photocatalytic activity of the samples was demonstrated utilizing cationic and anionic model pollutant dyes. The reusability of the catalyst is ensured through successive photodecomposition processes. These results show a facile fabrication of defects induced heterogenous nanocomposite photocatalyst thin films with improved visible light activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A ternary Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /Bi/BiOCl Z-scheme heterostructure with ordered flower-like structure was successfully achieved. • The Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /Bi/BiOCl showed long lifetime of charge carriers and fast interfacial electron flow. • The Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /Bi/BiOCl photocatalyst can photodegrade RhB of ca. 99.20 % within 20 min. • The possible photodegradation route of RhB was proposed. • The mechanism was elucidated by combining the radicals quench experiments, ESR test with energy band structures. A ternary Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /Bi/BiOCl Z-scheme heterostructure with an ordered flower-like structure was synthesized by controlling KCl content using a facile solvothermal technique, and the photodegradation performance of RhB was investigated in detail. The photocatalytic results suggested that the Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 /Bi/BiOCl manifested an attractive photodegradation rate with 99.20 % of removal efficiency within 20 min of irrigation. The main reason was credited to the SPR effect of metallic Bi and the construction of Z-scheme heterojunction, endowing enhanced adsorption ability of visible light, long lifetime of charge carriers, and fast interfacial electron flow. Furthermore, the degradation pathways towards RhB were also elaborated via LC–MS. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was explored by combining the radicals quench experiments, ESR tests with energy band structures. The study will supply a potential candidate for the remediation of natural RhB wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The iron oxide film shows 60 % absorbance for harmful blue light from 400 to 450 nm. • The film exhibits 96 % transmittance for the other visible light. • The hydrophobic-modified film has good humid-heat stability. • The film has no distinguishable effect on display quality. • The film can effectively protect human ARPE-19 cells from blue light damage. With the increasing application of display and lighting devices, the potential injury to human eyes due to blue light has been attracting significant attention. While current anti-blue light films are complex, costly and low stability in humid environments. In this work, anti-blue light films were fabricated using iron oxide as blue light absorbent and polyvinylpyrrolidone as surfactant, under various Fe3+ concentrations and annealing temperatures. Particularly, the films annealed at 300 °C exhibited 60 % absorption rate of blue light in 400–450 nm wavelength range on average and still maintained 96 % transmittance to 500–800 nm visible light. Moreover, the films coated with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS)-modified SiO 2 hydrophobic layer showed high hydrophobicity and sequential humid-heat stability. Meanwhile, no obvious changes occurred in transmittance spectra after keeping at 85 °C and 85 % relative humidity for 15 days. With the composite film covered, the color rendering index of the display screen decreased only 0.7 %, while the blue light weighted radiance decreased significantly by 37.1 %. Furthermore, cell experiments with composite films demonstrated that human retinal pigment epithelium cells were effectively protected from blue light injury. Overall, the composite films with high stability exhibited desired anti-blue light function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Z-Scheme heterojunction 2D/2D SnO x /TiO 2 photocatalyst modified with OVs was prepared. • Notably, SnO x /TiO 2 exhibited excellent photocatalytic degrading MO performance. • Experimental and DFT results evince: Z-scheme heterojunction and OVs promoted photocatalytic reaction mechanism. A Z-Scheme heterojunction two-dimensional/two-dimensional (2D/2D) SnO x /TiO 2 photocatalyst modified with oxygen vacancies (OVs) was successfully prepared using a hydrothermal method. Compared with SnO x and TiO 2 , the optimized SnO x /TiO 2 heterojunction exhibited significantly higher photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange (MO). The apparent reaction rate of the SnO x /TiO 2 heterostructure under visible light illumination reached 1.8355 min−1, approximately 15.74 times higher than that of SnO x alone. The results confirmed the presence of abundant oxygen vacancies on SnO x /TiO 2 , which acted as electron traps accelerating electron transfer. Furthermore, analyses including UPS, ESR, and reactive active species trapping experiments indicating a Z-scheme heterojunction were presented between SnO x and TiO 2. According to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the energy bands' alignment enabled the Z-scheme heterojunction formation, while the inherent electric field drove the reaction. The experimental and computational findings demonstrated that the combined influence of the Z-Scheme heterojunction and OVs enhanced the photocatalytic reaction mechanism, facilitating efficient electron transport and preserving charge carriers with excellent redox capability. And a possible mechanism degradation pathway of MO dye is proposed. This study serves as a source of inspiration for future endeavors in the design and development of Z-Scheme heterojunction photocatalysts incorporating oxygen vacancies, with the aim of achieving enhanced efficiency in environmental remediation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Rhombohedral phase of hematite and Si-doped films deposited on SiO 2 /Si substrate. • Correlation between elemental profile and phase established using GI-XRD and RBS techniques. • Suppression of two-magnon mode and surface FM confirmed in Si-doped hematite film. • The films with low reflectivity, high refractive index (2.23–2.61) and optical band gap (2.30–3.68 eV) can be used for anti-reflecting glass. • The Si doped hematite films with soft ferromagnetism applicable in spintronics devices. Thermal evaporation technique has been used to synthesize the α-Fe 2 O 3 (hematite) and Si-doped hematite films on three different substrates (SiO 2 /Si, Al 2 O 3 and quartz). The post-deposition heat treatment at 800 °C has further improved the crystalline nature of the films. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy has provided information for surface elemental composition and depth profile. Raman spectra have supported the formation of rhombohedral phase and inter-layer diffusion between substrate and films. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has confirmed the mixed-valence oxidation states for Fe ions and +4 state for the Si ions in Si-doped hematite films. The optical reflectance spectra in the UV–Visible region indicated contributions from the films and film-substrate interface. The Si-doping has enhanced soft ferromagnetic properties in the hematite film with noticeable decrease of the magnetic coercivity and increase of the magnetic moment. The films showed blocking of magnetization at lower temperatures, typically below 125 K, and a wide thermomagnetic irreversibility between zero-field cooled and field cooled magnetization curves. The modified surface chemical structure, ferromagnetism and optical properties in the Si doped hematite films promise their potential applications in spintronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]