Tesis sobre el tema "Heterostructured photocatalyst"

Les photocatalyseurs à base de TiO2 ont été l’objet d’une grande attention comme une méthode durable de purification de l’air ou de l’eau, et de production d’hydrogène par décomposition de l’eau. Une stratégie avantageuse consiste à développer des héterostructures par couplage avec un autre oxyde métallique former une jonction de type Schottky ou avec un autre oxyde métallique pour créer une jonction p-n à l’interface de manière à prévenir les recombinaisons via une séparation de charge « vectorielle » à ces jonctions. De plus, les facettes cristallines jouent un rôle crucial dans le piégeage des porteurs de charge et, donc,dans les réactions rédox photoactivées. Ainsi, le dépôt sélectif de métal ou d’oxyde métallique sur des facettes spécifiques de nanocristaux de TiO2 devrait augmenter l’activité photocatalytique par l’amélioration de la séparation des charges. Dans ce travail, nous avons combiné l’emploi du cocatalyseur de type p NiO pour former des jonctions p-n avec son dépôt sélectif sur des nanocristaux de TiO2 anatase exposant des facettes bien définies. Par ailleurs, des expériences modèles de physique de surface ont été menées pour étudier les propriétés électroniques de ces hétérojonctions
TiO2 photocatalysts have attracted attention as a sustainable method for water/air purification and hydrogen production by water splitting. An advantageous strategy is the development of heterostructures by coupling metal oxides to create a p-n junction at their interface in order to prevent there combination by vectorial charge carrier separation at these energy junctions. In addition, crystal facets play a decisive role in the trapping of charge carriers and thus photocatalytic redox reactions. Thus, selective deposition of metal or metal oxides onto specific facets would enhance the photocatalytic activity by improving charge separation. In this work, we have combined the usage of p-type NiO co-catalyst to form p-n junction with its selective deposition onto the specific facet of oriented TiO2nanocrystal photocatalysts. Furthermore, the physical model experiments have been performed to investigate the electronic properties of these heterojunctions

Photocatalytic processes over semiconducting oxide surfaces have attracted worldwide attention aspotentially efficient, environmentally friendly and low cost methods for water/air purification as well as forrenewable hydrogen production. However, some limitations to achieve high photocatalytic efficiencies havebeen found due to the fast recombination of the charge carriers. Development of heterostucture photocatalystsby depositing metals on the surface of semiconductors or by coupling two semiconductors with suitable bandedge position can reduce recombination phenomena by vectorial transfer of charge carriers. To draw newprospects in this domain, three different kinds of heterostructures such as n-type/n-type semiconductor(SnO2/ZnO), metal/n-type semiconductor (RuO2/TiO2 and RuO2/ZnO) and p-type/n-type semiconductor(NiO/TiO2) heterojunction nanomaterials were successfully prepared by solution process. Their composition,texture, structure and morphology were thoroughly characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ramanspectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 sorption measurements. On the other hand, asuitable combination of UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) data provided the energy band diagram for eachsystem. The as-prepared heterojunction photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic efficiency than P25 TiO2for the degradation of organic dyes (i.e. methylene blue and methyl orange) and the production of hydrogen.Particularly, heterostructure RuO2/TiO2 and NiO/TiO2 nanocomposites with optimum loading of RuO2 (5 wt %)and NiO (1 wt %), respectively, yielded the highest photocatalytic activities for the production of hydrogen.These enhanced performances were rationalized in terms of suitable band alignment as evidenced by XPS/UPSmeasurements along with their good textural and structural properties. This concept of semiconductingheterojunction nanocatalysts with high photocatlytic activity should find industrial application in the future toremove undesirable organics from the environment and to produce renewable hydrogen.

The photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water and biomass derivatives such as ethanol, glycerol and sugars is a highly attractive strategy to generate environmentally benign hydrogen. Ethanol is more easily oxidized than water by holes in the valence band (VB) of photoexcited semiconductors, which also helps to suppress the recombination of electron-hole pairs, thus increasing the usage of electrons in the conduction band (CB) of photoexcited semiconductors to yield hydrogen. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely investigated in the field of photocatalysis due to its photosensitivity, low cost, natural abundance, non-toxicity, and good chemical and thermal stability. However, the solar energy conversion efficiency of TiO2 is hindered by its large bandgap (3.2 eV). Here, we demonstrate that the combination of TiO2 with Ni, Co and Cu can substantially promote local spatial charge separation and proton activation in TiO2, achieving high-efficiency for H2 photoproduction. In chapter 2, we present a strategy to produce porous NiTiO3/TiO2 nanostructures with excellent photocatalytic activity toward hydrogen generation. Nickel-doped TiO2 needle bundles were synthesized by a hydrothermal procedure. Through the sintering in air of these nanostructures, porous NiTiO3/TiO2 heterostructured rods were obtained. Alternatively, the annealing in argon of the nickel-doped TiO2 needle bundles resulted in NiOx/TiO2 elongated nanostructures. Porous NiTiO3/TiO2 structures were tested for hydrogen evolution in the presence of ethanol. Such porous heterostructures exhibited superior photocatalytic activity toward hydrogen generation, with hydrogen production rates up to 11.5 mmol h-1 g-1 at room temperature. In chapter 3, CoTiO3/TiO2 composite catalysts with controlled amounts of highly distributed CoTiO3 nanodomains for photocatalytic ethanol dehydrogenation are developed and studied. To take advantage of solar light, the CoTiO3 nanoparticles with a band gap around 2.3 eV were synthesized by a hydrothermal procedure. We demonstrate these materials to provide outstanding hydrogen evolution rates under UV and visible illumination. The origin of this enhanced activity is extensively analysed. In contrast to previous assumptions, UV-vis absorption spectra and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) prove CoTiO3/TiO2 heterostructures to have a type II band alignment, with the CB minimum of CoTiO3 below the H+/H2 energy level. Additional steady-state photoluminescence (PL) spectra, time-resolved PL spectra (TRPLS), and electrochemical characterization prove such heterostructures to result in enlarged lifetimes of the photogenerated charge carriers. These experimental evidences point toward a direct Z-scheme as the mechanism enabling the high photocatalytic activity of CoTiO3/TiO2 composites toward ethanol dehydrogenation. The optimization of photodehydrogenation of ethanol requires the use of highly active, stable and selective photocatalytic materials based on abundant elements, and the proper adjustment of the reaction conditions, including temperature. In chapter 3, Cu2O-TiO2 type-II heterojunctions with different Cu2O amounts are obtained by a one-pot hydrothermal method. The structural and chemical properties of the produced materials and their activity toward ethanol photodehydrogenation under UV and visible light illumination are evaluated. The structural and chemical properties of the produced materials and their activity toward ethanol photodehydrogenation under UV and visible light illumination are evaluated. The Cu2O-TiO2 photocatalysts exhibit high selectivity toward acetaldehyde production and up to tenfold higher hydrogen evolution rates compared to bare TiO2. We further discern here the influence of temperature and visible light absorption on photocatalytic performance.
La producció fotocatalítica d’hidrogen a partir de derivats de l’aigua i de la biomassa com l’etanol, el glicerol i els sucres és una reacció atractiva per proporcionar hidrogen benigne per al medi ambient. L’etanol s’oxida més fàcilment que l’aigua mitjançant forats de la banda de valència dels semiconductors fotoexcitats, suprimint la recombinació de parells electró-forat i, per tant, augmentant la reactivitat dels electrons en la banda de conducció dels semiconductors fotoexcitats per produir hidrogen. El diòxid de titani (TiO2) ha estat àmpliament investigat en el camp de la fotocatàlisi a causa de la seva fotosensibilitat, baix cost, abundància natural, no toxicitat i bona estabilitat química i tèrmica. No obstant això, l'eficiència de conversió d'energia solar de TiO2 es veu obstaculitzada per la seva gran amplada de banda (3,2 eV) i la alta taxa de recombinació dels portadors fotogenerats. Aquí demostrem que el Ni, Co i Cu poden promoure substancialment la separació de càrregues i l’activació de protons en el TiO2, aconseguint una alta eficiència per a la fotoproducció d¿H2. En el capitol 2, presentem una estratègia per produir nanoestructures poroses de NiTiO3/TiO2 amb una excel·lent activitat fotocatalítica cap a la generació d’hidrogen. Al capítol 2, es van sintetitzar agulles de TiO2 dopades amb níquel itjançant un procediment hidrotermal. Mitjançant la sinterització a l'aire d'aquestes nanoestructures es van obtenir agulles heterostructurades poroses de NiTiO3/TiO2. Com a alternativa, el tractament tèrmic en argó de les agulles de TiO2 dopades amb níquel va donar lloc a nanoestructures allargades de NiOx/TiO2. Es van provar les estructures poroses de NiTiO3/TiO2 per a la producció d’hidrogen en presència d’etanol. Aquestes heteroestructures poroses presentaven una activitat fotocatalítica superior cap a la generació d’hidrogen, amb taxes de producció de fins a 11.5 mmol h-1 g-1 d’hidrogen a temperatura ambient. Per aprofitar la il·luminació solar, es van sintetitzar nanopartícules de CoTiO3 amb una banda adequada al voltant de 2,3 eV mitjançant un procediment de sinterització hidrotermal. Al capítol 3, els catalitzadors compostos CoTiO3/TiO2 amb quantitats controlades de nanodominis distribuïts de CoTiO3 es van provarper a la deshidrogenació fotocatalítica d’etanol. Demostrem que aquests materials proporcionen velocitats devolució d’hidrogen excepcionals sota il·luminació UV i visible. S’analitza a fons l’origen d’aquesta activitat millorada. En contrast amb els supòsits anteriors, els espectres d’absorció UV-vis i l’espectroscòpia de fotoelectrons ultraviolats (UPS) demostren que les heteroestructures CoTiO3/TiO2 tenen una alineació de banda de tipus II, amb la banda de conducció mínima de CoTiO3 per sota del nivell d’energia H+/H2. Els espectres addicionals de fotoluminescència en estat estacionari (PL), espectres PL resolts en el temps (TRPLS) i caracterització electroquímica demostren que aquestes heteroestructures donen lloc a una vida més gran dels portadors de càrrega fotogenerats. Aquestes evidències experimentals apunten cap a un esquema Z directe com el mecanisme que permet l’alta activitat fotocatalítica dels compostos CoTiO3/TiO2 cap a la deshidrogenació de l’etanol. L’optimització de la fotodehidrogenació de l’etanol requereix l’ús de materials fotocatalítics altament actius, estables i selectius basats en elements abundants i l’adequat ajust de les condicions de reacció, inclosa la temperatura. Al capítol 3, s’obtenen heterojuncions de tipus Cu2O-TiO2 tipus II amb diferents quantitats de Cu2O mitjançant un mètode hidrotermal en una etapa. S’avaluen les propietats estructurals i químiques dels materials produïts i la seva activitat cap a la fotodehidrogenació d’etanol sota la il·luminació UV i llum visible. Els fotocatalitzadors Cu2O-TiO2 presenten una alta selectivitat cap a la producció d’acetaldehid i hidrogen fins a deu vegades més altes que el TiO2. Aquí també discernim la influència de la temperatura i l’absorció de llum visible en el rendiment fotocatalític. Els nostres resultats apunten a la combinació de fonts d’energia en reactors termofotocatalítics com una estratègia eficient per a la conversió d’energia solar. Els resultats es van publicar en Nanomaterials el 2021
La producción fotocatalítica de hidrógeno a partir de agua y derivados de biomasa como etanol, glicerol y azúcares es una reacción atractiva para proporcionar hidrógeno sin apenas impacto ambiental. El etanol se oxida más fácilmente que el agua por los huecos en la banda de valencia de los semiconductores fotoexcitados, suprimiendo la recombinación de pares electrón-hueco y, por lo tanto, aumentando la reactividad de los electrones en la banda de conducción de los semiconductores fotoexcitados para producir hidrógeno. Además, el etanol es un recurso renovable que se produce fácilmente mediante la fermentación convencional de azúcares y almidón. El dióxido de titanio (TiO2) ha sido ampliamente investigado en el campo de la fotocatálisis debido a su fotosensibilidad, bajo costo, abundancia natural, no toxicidad y buena estabilidad química y térmica. Sin embargo, la eficiencia de conversión de energía solar del TiO2 se ve obstaculizada por su gran banda prohibida (3,2 eV). Aquí, demostramos que la incorporación de Ni, Co y Cu puede promover sustancialmente la separación de cargas locales y la activación de protones por el TiO2, logrando una alta eficiencia en la fotoproducción de H2. En el capítulo 2, presentamos una estrategia para producir nanoestructuras porosas de NiTiO3/TiO2 con excelente actividad fotocatalítica hacia la generación de hidrógeno. En el capítulo 2, se sintetizaron agujas de TiO2 dopado con níquel mediante un procedimiento hidrotermal. Mediante la sinterización al aire de estas nanoestructuras se obtuvieron heteroestructuras en forma de varillas de NiTiO3/TiO2 porosas. Alternativamente, el tratamiento térmico bajo argón de las varillas de TiO2 dopado con níquel dió como resultado nanoestructuras alargadas de NiOx/TiO2. Las estructuras porosas de NiTiO3/TiO2 se ensayaron para determinar la producción de hidrógeno en presencia de etanol. Tales heteroestructuras porosas exhibieron una actividad fotocatalítica superior hacia la generación de hidrógeno, con tasas de producción de hasta 11,5 mmol h-1 g-1 de hidrógeno a temperatura ambiente. Este excelente rendimiento se relaciona con las propiedades optoelectrónicas y los parámetros geométricos del material. Los resultados se publicaron en Journal of Materials Chemistry A en 2019. Para aprovechar la luz solar, se sintetizaron nanopartículas de CoTiO3 con un intervalo de banda de alrededor de 2.3 eV mediante un procedimiento de sinterización hidrotermal. En el capítulo 3, se prepararon catalizadores compuestos CoTiO3/TiO2 con cantidades controladas de nanodominios CoTiO3 altamente distribuidos para la deshidrogenación fotocatalítica de etanol. Demostramos que estos materiales presentan una actividad fotocatalítica de generación de hidrógeno excepcionales bajo iluminación UV y visible. El origen de esta actividad se analiza ampliamente. En contraste con las suposiciones anteriores, los espectros de absorción UV-vis y la espectroscopia de fotoelectrones ultravioleta (UPS) demuestran que las heteroestructuras de CoTiO3/TiO2 tienen una alineación de banda de tipo II, con la banda de conducción del CoTiO3 por debajo del nivel de energía H+/H2. Los espectros de fotoluminiscencia (PL), los espectros de PL resueltos en el tiempo (TRPLS) y la caracterización electroquímica demuestran que tales heteroestructuras dan como resultado una mayor vida útil de los portadores de carga fotogenerados. Estas evidencias experimentales apuntan hacia un esquema Z directo como el mecanismo que permite la alta actividad fotocatalítica de los compuestos CoTiO3/TiO2 hacia la deshidrogenación del etanol. Además, se analizó el efecto de la temperatura en la actividad fotocatalítica de los materiales probados, lo que podría usarse para promover aún más el rendimiento en un reactor solar termo-fotocatalítico. Los resultados se publicaron en ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces en 2021. La optimización de la fotodeshidrogenación del etanol requiere el uso de materiales fotocatalíticos altamente activos, estables y selectivos basados en elementos abundantes y el adecuado ajuste de las condiciones de reacción, incluida la temperatura. En el capítulo 3, se obtuvieron heterouniones Cu2O-TiO2 tipo II con diferentes cantidades de Cu2O mediante un método hidrotermal en un solo paso. Se evalúan las propiedades estructurales y químicas de los materiales producidos y su actividad hacia la fotodeshidrogenación de etanol bajo iluminación UV y con luz visible. Los fotocatalizadores Cu2O-TiO2 muestran una alta selectividad hacia la producción de acetaldehído e hidrógeno hasta diez veces más altas en comparación con el TiO2. También discernimos aquí la influencia de la temperatura y la absorción de luz visible en el rendimiento fotocatalítico. Nuestros resultados apuntan a la combinación de fuentes de energía en reactores termo-fotocatalíticos como una estrategia eficiente para la conversión de energía solar. Los resultados se publicaron en nanomateriales en 2021
Enginyeria de processos químics

Semiconductor-based heterogeneous photocatalysis, as one of the advanced oxidation processes that makes use of semiconductors and inexhaustible solar light, has recently been extensively studied and applied to water decontamination. However, due to low light absorption efficiencies and severe electron-hole recombination, modifications on semiconductor structures are required in order to enhance their photocatalytic performance. Heterogeneous photocatalyst composites, taking advantage of the improved light absorption efficiency as well as the facilitated electron-hole separation at the interface between different semiconductors, have been proven to be a promising strategy. In this study, novel NaNbO3/Bi2WO6 photocatalyst composites with a type-II heterogeneous alignment were successfully prepared via a facile wet impregnation method. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy (DRS), photocurrent (PC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The 30 wt% NaNbO3/Bi2WO6 composite exhibited the best performance for degrading an RhB (rhodamine B) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 410 nm), which was ca. 40 times and ca. 2.5 times that of the pristine NaNbO3 and Bi2WO6, respectively. The improved photocatalytic activity may be attributed to the enhanced electron-hole separation efficiency in Bi2WO6 with the assistance of NaNbO_3, as well as the dye-sensitization effect of RhB itself. Radical quenching experiments revealed that h+ played the predominant role, and O2•- functioned as well to some degree. The produced intermediates during the reaction and RhB degradation pathway were speculated and investigated as well. The excellent stability and reusability were verified by repetitively running for five times. Based on experimental results, a plausible functioning mechanism was proposed. Effects of several operation parameters on the catalyst performance including initial RhB concentration, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and initial pH were also discussed. This study provides solid evidence for NaNbO3 to be a promising candidate for photocatalysis and gives out a novel photocatalytic mechanism of Bi2WO6-based type-II heterostructures.

La dépollution de l'eau est un des enjeux majeurs du XXIème siècle. Si différentes techniques de retraitement existent déjà, nous investiguons une nouvelle méthode associant les propriétés des membranes filtrantes à celles des matériaux photocatalytiques. Ainsi, nous avons étudié la croissance et l'activité photocatalytique de structures de type noyau/coquille de ZnO/SnO2 intégrées dans des membranes méso-poreuses (alumine poreuse) et macro-poreuses (fibres de verre). L'activité photocatalytique de ces matériaux a été évaluée sur des polluants modèles tels que le bleu de méthylène ou l'acide salicylique, mais aussi sur des polluants organiques identifiés dans les eaux de la rivière luxembourgeoise Alzette. L'impact environnemental des matériaux développés a été déterminé grâce a des analyses de cytotoxicité sur des cellules colorectales de type Caco-2, ainsi que sur des bactéries marines de type Vibrio Fischeri
Water treatment is one of the main challenge to overcome on the XXIst century. If many different techniques already exist, we investigate a new process associating the properties of porous membranes and photocatalytic materials. Thus, we studied the growth and photoactivity of core/shell structures of ZnO/SnO2 integrated into mesoporous (AAO) and macro-porous (glass fiber) membranes . The photocatalytic activity of these materials has been evaluated on organic pollutants like methylene blue or salicylic acid, but also on molecules found in the Luxembourgish Alzette river. The environmental impact of the synthesized structures has been determined with cytotoxic analyses on Caco-2 cells and Vibrio Fischeri bacteria

L'objectif de ce travail est d'améliorer les performances photocatalytiques de deux oxydes mixtes de bismuth, Bi2WO6 et BiOBr, présentant une activité sous lumière visible. Leurs activités photocatalytiques sont en effet majoritairement limitées par un taux de recombinaison des charges photoinduites élevé. Deux stratégies différentes ont été respectivement appliquées pour chaque matériau. La première consiste à former une hétérostructure entre Bi2WO6 et un métal noble, le platine, pour assurer une séparation efficace des charges. La seconde consiste à réduire la taille des particules de BiOBr afin d'augmenter la surface spécifique et de diminuer le parcours moyen des charges jusqu'à la surface du photocatalyseur. Les synthèses ont été réalisées par chimie douce. La répartition et la quantité de platine déposé sur Bi2WO6 a ainsi pu être modulée et des particules de BiOBr sous forme de microfleurs ou de plaquettes de différentes tailles ont été obtenues. La dégradation de la rhodamine B en solution sous irradiation bleue a permis d'évaluer les propriétés photocatalytiques des matériaux. La dégradation de molécules non photosensibles a également été réalisée afin de confirmer l'activité photocatalytique observée. Dans le but d'évaluer la potentialité de Bi2WO6 et BiOBr pour la purification de l'air intérieur, des tests de dégradation photocatalytique de polluants modèles gazeux ont été effectués. L'ensemble de ces tests ont mis en évidence les relations entre les paramètres physico-chimiques des matériaux et leurs performances photocatalytiques et ont souligné les potentialités et les limitations de Bi2WO6 et BiOBr pour la dépollution de l'air et de l'eau
The aim of this work is to improve photocatalytic performance of two mixed bismuth oxides, Bi2WO6 and BiOBr, which have an activity within visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Two different strategies have been developed for each material. First one consists in designing a heterostructure between Bi2WO6 and a noble metal, platinum, which ensures an efficient charge separation at the interface. Second one aims at lowering BiOBr particle’s size in order to boost specific surface and shrink mean free path of charges to the surface of the photocatalyst. Syntheses of the materials were carried out using soft chemistry method. Platinum particle distribution and quantity on Bi2WO6 were thus successfully tuned and BiOBr microspheres or plates with different size were obtained. Photocatalytic properties of our materials were characterized by rhodamine B degradation in solution under blue light (λ = 445 nm). Degradation test of non-photosensitive compounds were also performed to show their photocatalytic activity. In order to evaluate Bi2WO6 and BiOBr potential in purifying indoor air photocatalytic degradation tests of model gaseous pollutant were performed. All these photocatalytic tests highlight the relationship between physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of the materials. They also enable us to determine the potentials and limitations of Bi2WO6 and BiOBr as photocatalysts for water and air depollution

La croissance rapide de la population ainsi que l'industrialisation ont suscité des inquiétudes majeures quant à la disponibilité de l'énergie et à la pollution de l'environnement. La résolution de ces problèmes est au cœur de nombreuses recherches à l'échelle mondiale. L'énergie solaire, en tant que source d'énergie propre et pratiquement inépuisable, devrait être efficacement exploitée, notamment via des processus photocatalytiques, pour améliorer la dépollution environnementale. Les nanomatériaux hybrides, tels que ZnO/métal noble et ZnO/oxydes métalliques, se positionnent comme des candidats prometteurs pour atteindre ces objectifs car ils absorbent efficacement la lumière visible et permettent une séparation efficace des porteurs de charge. Ce mémoire est consacré au développement de nouveaux photocatalyseurs hétérostructurés pour la dégradation des polluants organiques. L'étude a exploré deux voies novatrices de synthèse de ZnO associé soit à des nanoparticules d'argent métallique soit à des oxydes de cuivre. Dans la première partie de cette mémoire, un procédé a été développé pour préparer des particules de ZnO d'environ 87 nm associées à des nanoparticules d'argent d'une taille moyenne de 2.7 nm. Cette stratégie met en œuvre la synthèse d'hydroxydes doubles lamellaires de zinc dopés à l'argent, suivie de la photodéposition des ions Ag+ en Ag(0), et enfin, la conversion par thermolyse de l'hydroxyde double lamellaire en oxyde de zinc. Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, la photodéposition de nanoparticules de CuO-Cu₂O à la surface de ZnO a permis le développement d’hétérostructures avec une jonction p-n entre CuO-Cu₂O et ZnO. Les nouvelles méthodes de synthèse de catalyseurs hétérostructurés développées dans le cadre de cette thèse ont permis le développement de matériaux photocatalytiquement actifs pour la dégradation de polluants persistants en milieux aqueux. En termes de stabilité, ces catalyseurs peuvent être utilisés sur plusieurs cycles de dégradation sans perte notable d'efficacité. Le projet comporte également l'étude des différents paramètres expérimentaux afin d'optimiser les propriétés structurales, électroniques, optiques et photocatalytiques de ces matériaux
The fast growth of the population and industrialization have produced major concerns regarding energy availability and environmental pollution. Addressing these issues is at the forefront of global research. Solar energy, as a clean and almost infinite source, can be effectively harnessed through photocatalytic processes to contribute to environmental remediation. Hybrid nanomaterials, such as ZnO/noble metal and ZnO/metal oxides, emerge as promising candidates to achieve these goals due to their enhanced light absorption capability and excellent charge carrier separation. This thesis is dedicated to the development of new hybrid photocatalysts designed for the degradation of organic pollutants. The study explores two innovative synthesis pathways of ZnO, combined with photodeposited nanoparticles of metallic silver or copper oxide, onto ZnO. In the first part of the study, a solvothermal method was developed to prepare ZnO particles of approximately 87 nm associated with silver nanoparticles with an average size of 2.7 nm. This strategy involves the synthesis of silver-doped zinc double-layered hydroxides, followed by the photodeposition of Ag+ ions into Ag(0), and ultimately, the conversion through thermolysis of the double-layered hydroxide into ZnO. In the second part, the preparation via an environmentally friendly and easy photodeposition method was used to create heterostructured photocatalysts featuring a p-n junction between CuO-Cu₂O and ZnO. The novel synthesis methods for ZnO-based heterostructured catalysts developed in the framework of this thesis have led to the creation of nanohybrid materials exhibiting high efficiency in degrading persistent pollutants in aqueous environments. In terms of stability, these hybrid photocatalysts can be used over multiple degradation cycles without a significant loss of effectiveness. The project also involves the study of various experimental parameters to optimize the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the photocatalysts

With an increasing demand for alternative clean energy solutions, much effort is being invested in the progression of nanoscale semiconductor materials in hopes of better harnessing solar energy. ZnO and TiO2 remain the most prominent photocatalytically active materials. This thesis reports on a comparison between nanoscale core-shell and hierarchical Zn-Ti-O/ZnO heterostructures. After a seed layer thickness optimization, hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorods were coated with mixed concentrations of Ti and Zn within an oxygen rich sputtering environment at two distinct temperature zones. Core-shell structures resulted from low temperature (23°C) depositions while hierarchical branch structures grew at high temperature (800°C). Excluding deposition temperature and the strategic variation of Zn and Ti gun power, every fabrication process remained identical between the two resultant heterostructure groups. Amongst the variety of samples produced, one from each heterostructure group proved notably similar in structural dimension, composition, and crystallization, yet demonstrated distinct differences in photoluminescence and dye degradation via UV-visible light spectroscopy. While photoluminescence results indicated core-shell heterostructure more photocatalytically promising, hierarchical heterostructure prevailed as the more powerful photocatalyst. Increased surface area due to hierarchical branching in conjunction with enhanced light exposure was believed responsible for the improved photocatalytic effectiveness.

L'objectif de ce travail est d'améliorer les performances photocatalytiques de deux oxydes mixtes de bismuth, Bi2WO6 et BiOBr, présentant une activité sous lumière visible. Leurs activités photocatalytiques sont en effet majoritairement limitées par un taux de recombinaison des charges photoinduites élevé. Deux stratégies différentes ont été respectivement appliquées pour chaque matériau. La première consiste à former une hétérostructure entre Bi2WO6 et un métal noble, le platine, pour assurer une séparation efficace des charges. La seconde consiste à réduire la taille des particules de BiOBr afin d'augmenter la surface spécifique et de diminuer le parcours moyen des charges jusqu'à la surface du photocatalyseur. Les synthèses ont été réalisées par chimie douce. La répartition et la quantité de platine déposé sur Bi2WO6 a ainsi pu être modulée et des particules de BiOBr sous forme de microfleurs ou de plaquettes de différentes tailles ont été obtenues. La dégradation de la rhodamine B en solution sous irradiation bleue a permis d'évaluer les propriétés photocatalytiques des matériaux. La dégradation de molécules non photosensibles a également été réalisée afin de confirmer l'activité photocatalytique observée. Dans le but d'évaluer la potentialité de Bi2WO6 et BiOBr pour la purification de l'air intérieur, des tests de dégradation photocatalytique de polluants modèles gazeux ont été effectués. L'ensemble de ces tests ont mis en évidence les relations entre les paramètres physico-chimiques des matériaux et leurs performances photocatalytiques et ont souligné les potentialités et les limitations de Bi2WO6 et BiOBr pour la dépollution de l'air et de l'eau
The aim of this work is to improve photocatalytic performance of two mixed bismuth oxides, Bi2WO6 and BiOBr, which have an activity within visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Two different strategies have been developed for each material. First one consists in designing a heterostructure between Bi2WO6 and a noble metal, platinum, which ensures an efficient charge separation at the interface. Second one aims at lowering BiOBr particle’s size in order to boost specific surface and shrink mean free path of charges to the surface of the photocatalyst. Syntheses of the materials were carried out using soft chemistry method. Platinum particle distribution and quantity on Bi2WO6 were thus successfully tuned and BiOBr microspheres or plates with different size were obtained. Photocatalytic properties of our materials were characterized by rhodamine B degradation in solution under blue light (λ = 445 nm). Degradation test of non-photosensitive compounds were also performed to show their photocatalytic activity. In order to evaluate Bi2WO6 and BiOBr potential in purifying indoor air photocatalytic degradation tests of model gaseous pollutant were performed. All these photocatalytic tests highlight the relationship between physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of the materials. They also enable us to determine the potentials and limitations of Bi2WO6 and BiOBr as photocatalysts for water and air depollution

Energetics, charge selectivity and interfacial charge transfer kinetics affect the efficiency of solar electric energy conversion and solar photochemical formation of fuels. The research described herein focuses on understanding and controlling the energetics, charge selectivity, and interfacial charge transfer processes in organic photovoltaics, as well as new generation semiconductor-semiconductor and metal-semiconductor heterostructured nanorods (NRs) as photocatalysts. Waveguide and transmission based spectroelectrochemistries, photoemission spectroscopies, and impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the frontier orbital energies, charge selectivity and interfacial charge transfer kinetics in heterostructured NRs and organic photovoltaics. CdSe NRs tipped with Au nanoparticles and CdSe seeded CdS NRs tipped with Pt nanoparticles were used to study the effect of compositional asymmetry and catalytic sites on band edge energies of NRs. We used UV photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) and waveguide and transmission-based spectroelectrochemistry of NR monolayers/multilayers on conductive substrates to estimate valence/conduction band energies. Potential-modulated attenuated total reflectance (PM-ATR) spectroscopy was utilized to measure the apparent heterogeneous rate constants of reversible electron injection into NR films on indium tin oxide (ITO). We conclude from these measurements that metal tipping, which is designed to enhance the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor NRs, altered band edge energies and enhanced electronic coupling to conductive substrates, in ways that are predicted to influence their efficiency as photoelectrocatalysts. Monolayers of functionalized phosphonic acid ruthenium phthalocyanines (RuPcPA) tethered to ITO as a model organic photovoltaic donor/electrode interface were studied to understand the aggregation and orientation dependent charge transfer kinetics and energetics of these systems. The effect of surface roughness on the orientation of RuPcPA was theoretically modeled and compared to the experimental results. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies revealed the presence of only monomeric species on ITO. Impedance spectroscopy (IS) and PM-ATR were used to measure charge transfer rate constants. Further, frontier orbital energies of RuPcPA modified ITO were measured using UPS, and the results indicated favorable energetics for hole collection at the RuPcPA/ITO interface for OPV applications. The effect of "UV-light soaking" on the performance of organic photovoltaic devices employing metal oxide (MO) electron selective interlayers (ESL) was addressed using sputtered zinc oxide (ZnO) ESL films. This study provides a coherent methodology for differentiating between the proposed origins of the s-shaped current-voltage (J-V) responses in the literature for organic photovoltaics using MO ESLs. We use IS and UPS to demonstrate that the energetic barrier for charge extraction at the ZnO/active layer interface leads to the observed s-shape response in OPVs using ZnO ESLs. Furthermore, this study provides clear guidelines for minimizing the s-shaped J-V response and the effect of UV light on the performances of OPV devices using ZnO ESLs. We have developed solution electrochemical protocols to characterize nanometer-scale porosity and electronic properties of both solution-deposited and sputtered ZnO thin films used as interlayers for electron-harvesting contacts in inverted organic solar cells on ITO substrates. These electrochemical experiments were performed in order to evaluate the hole-blocking abilities of these ZnO ESLs as well as their effective "pinhole density," thus demonstrating a strong correlation to their OPV performances. These electrochemical experiments can be used to characterize and optimize ESLs rapidly, before OPV device fabrication.

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In this work,a nevel material heterostructured based on the assembly of double layered double hydroxide (LDH) suported in magadiite, was synthesized. For this purpose, layered double hydroxides of MgAl and ZnAl,both in the proportion 2:1 was synthesized by the method of coprecipitation in situ in the presence of magadiite.Diverse physicochemical techniques (DRX,FTIR,DTA,ICP-OES,MEV E TEM ) were employed to caractherize the materials syntehesized with the aim of verifying the existence of interactions in the interface of both components. Results gotten by DRX show plans of reflection typical of magadiite,confirming the formation o HDL in the surface of silicate. Nanocrystalline interactions among the groups of hydroxyl of each component. Metalic Oxide nanoparticles were supported in magadiite employing the thermic decomposition (calcination) of the component HDL present in the hetero-structure MAG/HDL,with the aim of getting catalyst formed by metalic oxides highly dispersed supported in magadiite. Calcined materials and non-calcined were evaluated as photocatalysts, using blue dye of methylene as a standard molecule. Photocatalytic analyses were made with “heterostructure” MAG/HDL and MAG/ODL showed a catalytic activity improved in order to degradate the dye,,where the concentration decreased considerablly in a short interlude of exposition to irradiation of uv light in camparison to the photlysis test.These results were gotten probably thanks to the resulting synergistic effect of textured properties interesting,charactheristics of synthesized heterostructured ,turning them in photocatalytic promising in the degradation of organic compounds.
Neste trabalho, um novo material heteroestruturado baseado na síntese de hidróxidos duplos lamelares suportados em magadiíta, foi sintetizado. Para este fim, hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDL) de MgAl e ZnAl, ambos nas proporções 2:1, foram sintetizados pelo método de coprecipitação in situ em presença do silicato alcalino lamelar. Diversas técnicas físico-químicas (DRX, FTIR, DTA, ICP-OES, MEV e TEM) foram empregados para caracterizar os materiais sintetizados com o objetivo de verificar a existência a existência de interações na interface dos dois componentes. Resultados obtidos por DRX mostram planos de reflexão típicos de magadiíta, confirmando a formação de HDL na superfície do silicato. Interações nanocristalinas entre as porções foram evidenciadas por estudos de espectroscopia onde ocorrem interações entre os grupos hidroxilas de cada componente. Nanopartículas de óxidos metálicos foram suportados em magadiíta empregando a decomposição térmica (calcinação) do componente HDL presente na heteroestrutura MAG/HDL, com o objetivo de obter-se materiais catalisadores formados por óxidos metálicos altamente dispersos suportados em magadiíta. Os materiais calcinados e não calcinados foram avaliados como fotocatalisadores, usando o corante azul de metileno como molécula modelo. Testes fotocatalíticos realizados com as heteroestruturas MAG/HDL e MAG/ODL mostraram uma atividade catalítica melhorada para a degradação do corante, onde a concentração diminuiu consideravelmente em um curto intervalo de tempo de exposição à irradiação de luz UV em comparação ao teste de fotólise. Estes resultados foram obtidos provavelmente devido ao efeito sinérgico resultante das propriedades texturais interessantes, características das heteroestruturas sintetizadas, tornando-os fotocatalisadores promissores na degradação de compostos orgânincos.

Este estudo propôs uma avaliação do papel dos três principais parâmetros clássicos da síntese do nitreto de carbono grafítico: temperatura final, tempo de permanência na temperatura final e taxa de aquecimento. Realizou-se a otimização da síntese, via metodologia de superfície de resposta, usando-se como variável-resposta a degradação fotocatalítica de um poluente-modelo (tartrazina). A significância estatística dos fatores foi confirmada, com 95% de confiança. Em seguida, um modelo de segunda ordem foi ajustado às melhores respostas e, no ponto de máxima degradação, as condições foram: 605oC por 183 min, com taxa de aquecimento de 5oC min-1. A taxa de degradação com o fotocatalisador sintetizado foi aproximadamente três vezes maior que a da fotólise. As amostras da região de melhores respostas foram analisadas em uma série de experimentos de caracterização, sendo eles: difratometria de raios X, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho médio, área superficial específica, microscopias de varredura (MEV e MEV-FEG), potencial zeta e espectroscopia de reflectância difusa na região do ultravioleta-visível. O fotocatalisador com maior atividade apresentou menor energia de band gap e maior área superficial especifica do que as relatadas na literatura (2,59 eV e 29,5 m2 g-1, respectivamente). Foram criadas heteroestruturas entre o fotocatalisador sintetizado e o trióxido de tungstênio. A partir de uma série de caracterizações básicas, confirmou-se a formação da heteroestrutura. Com essa heteroestrutura, a taxa de degradação foi aproximadamente cinco vezes maior que a com o nitreto de carbono grafítico.
This study proposed an assessment of the role of the three major classical parameters for synthesizing graphitic carbon nitride: final temperature, residence time at the final temperature and heating rate. The synthesis was optimized, via response surface methodology, using the photocatalytic degradation of a model pollutant (tatrazine) as the response-variable. The statistical significance of the factors was confirmed, within 95% confidence level. Afterwards, a second-order model was adjusted to the better responses and, at the maximum degradation point, the conditions were: 605oC for 183 min, with heating rate of 5oC min-1. The degradation rate with the synthetized photocatalyst was approximately three times greater than the photolytic one. The samples from the better response region were analyzed in a series of characterization experiments: X ray diffractometry, mid-infrared spectrometry, specific surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM and FEG-SEM), zeta potential, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The most active photocatalyst showed smaller band gap energy and greater specific surface area than the ones reported in literature (2.59 eV and 29.5 m2 g-1, respectively). Heterostructures were formed between the synthetized photocatalyst and tungsten trioxide. A series of basic characterization techniques confirmed the heterostructure formation. Using this heterostructure, the degradation rate was approximately five times greater than the one with graphitic carbon nitride.

Orientador: Leinig Antônio Perazolli
Resumo: O presente trabalho buscou desenvolver fotocatalisadores cerâmicos por meio da produção de heterojunções inovadoras à base de SrTiO3, TiO2 e CaO, que tiveram suas fotoatividades avaliadas pela descoloração do corante Rodamina B (RhB) e pela obtenção de biodiesel, utilizando luz ultravioleta. As amostras TiO2, CaO e SrTiO3 foram obtidas pelo método de precursores poliméricos, método Pechini, e as heterojunções TiO2/SrTiO3, CaO/SrTiO3 e CaO/CaTiO3 foram preparados por rota sol-gel. Após síntese e tratamento térmico, as amostras foram caracterizadas por difração de Raios-X (DRX) para verificar as fases cristalinas formadas, por espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de fourier (FT-IR) e termogravimetria/análise térmica diferencial (TG/DTA) para verificar e quantificar a formação de CaCO3 e Ca(OH)2, por espectroscopia de refletância difusa (UV/Vis/NIR DRS) para determinar a energia de band gap, por Brunauer, Emmett e Teller (B.E.T.) para determinar a área específica, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura acoplada a espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de Raios-X (FE-SEMEDS) para estimar o tamanho das partículas, sua morfologia e composição elementar, por espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por Raios-X (XPS) para conhecer a composição elementar presente na superfície da amostra e seus estados de oxidação, por espectroscopia de fotoluminescência (PL) para verificar a formação de defeitos estruturais, por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão de alta resolução (HRTE... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The present work aimed to develop ceramic photocatalysts through the production of innovative SrTiO3, TiO2 and CaO based heterojunctions, which had their photoactivities evaluated by the discoloration of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye and by obtaining biodiesel using UV light. TiO2, CaO and SrTiO3 samples were obtained by polymeric precursor method, Pechini method, and TiO2/SrTiO3, CaO/SrTiO3 and CaO/CaTiO3 heterojunctions were prepared by sol-gel route. After synthesis and heat treatment, the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to verify the crystalline phases formed, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) to verify and quantify the formation of CaCO3 and Ca(OH)2, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV/Vis/NIR DRS) to determine band gap energy, Brunauer, Emmett e Teller (B.E.T.) to determine specific area, field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (FE-SEM-EDS) to estimate particle size, morphology and elemental composition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to know the elemental composition present on the sample surface and oxidation states, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) to verify the formation structural defects, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to confirm the formation of heterojunction. Rhodamine B discoloration was measured by UV/Vis molecular absorption spectroscopy and the conversion of oil to biodiesel was analyz... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Semiconductors employed as photocatalysts that can be activated by visible irradiation have attracted intense scientific interest due to their applications in heterogeneous photocatalysis. BiVO4 is a semiconductor with band gap value of 2.4 eV; however, this material exhibits poor photocatalytic activity mainly due to the rapid recombination of electron/hole pair. An efficient strategy to overcome this challenge is through the formation of type-II heterostructures. Based on this overview, this work aimed at: (i) developing methods to obtain heterostructures composed of BiVO4 and different bismuth compounds (t-BiVO4, Bi2O3 e Bi2O2CO3), (ii) to evaluate the effect of heterojunction formation on photocatalytic properties, and (iii) to study the mechanisms of charge transfer and organic pollutants degradation. Initially, this work investigated the synthesis of BiVO4 by oxidant peroxide method, and it was observed that the main reason for the poor photoactivity of BiVO4 is its inability to reduce O2 to O2 •-. In order to overcome this challenge, we attempted to obtain heterostructures between monoclinic BiVO4 and tetragonal BiVO4 phases (m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4) by oxidant peroxide method. It was verified that m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4 heterostructures exhibited better photocatalytic performance in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye than their isolated phases, under visible irradiation. HRTEM images revealed that the heterostructured sample was composed of nanoparticles with average size of 10 nm, the m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4 interface was also evidenced. The mechanisms of charge transfer between the phases and organic pollutant oxidation were proposed in agreement with the obtained results by XPS, mass spectroscopy and TOC analysis. Holes (h+), superoxide anion (O2 -•) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were the primary active species responsible for MB photodegradation. The increase of m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4 heterostructure photoactivity occurred due to the formation of a suitable heterojunction, promoting the effective separation of photogenerated charges. However, this method presented difficulties in the control of heterostructure morphology and composition, because it is based on a simultaneous two-phase crystallization process. Therefore, we developed a novel strategy for heterostructure tailoring driven by solubility difference of two semiconductors that possess at least one metal in common. For this, the formation of heterojunctions by BiVO4 growth on Bi2O3 or Bi2O2CO3 self-sacrificial surface was evaluated. For the Bi2O3/BiVO4 heterostructures, the amount of xiv heterojunctions formed between Bi2O3 and BiVO4 was tuned by synthesis process variables (temperature and V concentration) and the particle size of preformed Bi2O3 (i.e. solubility difference). The heterojunctions were evidenced by HRTEM images, where the growth of BiVO4 nanoparticles on Bi2O3 or Bi2O2CO3 surface was observed. Time resolved photoluminescence and XPS results confirmed that the formation of type-II heterostructure led to increase of charge carriers lifetime. The proposed synthesis strategy showed efficiency in obtaining Bi2O3/BiVO4 and Bi2O2CO3/BiVO4 heterostructures with controlled morphology and composition that improved photoactivity when compared to their isolated phases.
Semicondutores que podem ser ativados sob radiação visível são de grande interesse para processos fotocatalíticos. O BiVO4 é um semicondutor com valor de band-gap de 2,4 eV, no entanto, este apresenta uma baixa atividade fotocatalítica, devido principalmente à rápida recombinação do par elétron/buraco. Uma estratégia eficiente para superar este desafio é pela formação de heteroestruturas do tipo-II. Diante deste panorama, este trabalho teve por objetivo: (i) desenvolver métodos para obter heteroestruturas de BiVO4 com diferentes compostos de bismuto (t-BiVO4, Bi2O3 e Bi2O2CO3), (ii) avaliar o efeito das heterojunções nas propriedades fotocatalíticas, e (iii) estudar os mecanismos de transferência de carga e de degradação de poluentes orgânicos. Inicialmente, este trabalho lidou com a síntese do BiVO4 pelo método de oxidação por peróxido e observou-se que a principal razão para baixa atividade fotocatalítica do BiVO4 é sua incapacidade de reduzir o O2 em O2 •-. Com o objetivo de superar este desafio, buscou-se a obtenção de heterostruturas de BiVO4 nas fases monoclínica e tetragonal (m- BiVO4/t-BiVO4), pelo método de oxidação por peróxido. Foi verificado que a heteroestrutura m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4 exibiu uma melhor performance fotocatalítica na degradação do corante azul de metileno (AM) do que as suas fases isoladas, sob radiação visível. As imagens de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão de alta resolução (HRTEM) revelaram que a amostra heteroestruturada é composta de nanopartículas com tamanho médio de 10 nm, a interface m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4 também foi evidenciada. Foram propostos mecanismos de transferência de cargas entre as fases e de oxidação do poluente orgânico de acordo com os resultado obtidos pelas técnicas de XPS, espectrometria de massas e análise de TOC. Os buracos (h+), radicais superóxidos (O2 -•) e hidroxila (•OH) foram as principais espécies ativas responsáveis na fotodegradação do AM. O aumento da fotoatividade da heteroestrutura m-BiVO4/t-BiVO4 ocorreu devido a formação de uma heterojunção adequada, que promove a separação efetiva das cargas foto-geradas. No entanto, este método apresentou dificuldade no controle morfológico e da composição da heteroestruturas por ser um processo de cristalização simultânea das fases, portanto, foi desenvolvido uma nova estratégia para a produção de heteroestruturas dirigido pela diferença de solubilidade entre dois semicondutores que possuem ao menos um metal em comum. Para tal, a formação de heterojunções pelo crescimento do BiVO4 na superfície xii de sacrifício do Bi2O3 ou Bi2O2CO3 pré-formados foi avaliada. Para a heteroestrutura Bi2O3/BiVO4 foi observado que a quantidade de junções formadas foi dependente da solubilidade do precursor que foi variado pelo tamanho de partícula do Bi2O3. As heterojunções foram evidenciadas por imagens de HRTEM, onde foi observado a formação de nanopartículas do BiVO4 na superfície das fases de Bi2O3 e Bi2O2CO3. Os espectros de fotoluminescência e de XPS confirmaram que a formação da heteroestrutura do tipo-II conduziu ao aumento do tempo de vida dos portadores de carga. Esta estratégia de síntese proposta mostrou-se eficiente, já que foi possível obter heteroestruturas de Bi2O3/BiVO4 e Bi2O2CO3/BiVO4 com controle de morfologia e composição, que resultou no aumento da fotoatividade quando comparado as fases isoladas.
FAPESP: 13/13888-0

1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMIM]Tf2N) was investigated as a multifunctional solvent, ligand, and reducing agent for platinum deposition onto well-defined CdSe@CdS nanorods. Platinum deposition was carried out thermally and photochemically using Pt(acac)2 as the metal precursor. Thermal deposition was investigated in [BMIM]Tf2N with and without addition of a sacrificial reducing agent, and product topology was compared with the products obtained from polyol reduction using 1,2-hexadecanediol, oleic acid, and oleylamine in diphenyl ether. Photochemically induced platinum deposition was carried out at room temperature in [BMIM]Tf2N, and product topology was compared with the photodeposition products obtained from a toluene dispersion. Thermal deposition of platinum in ionic liquid showed rods of broken morphology and small platinum nanoparticles speckled across the rods’ surface, while photodeposition of platinum exhibited particles decorated throughout the nanorod surface but larger in size than those exhibited by thermal means. Photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue was studied using these Pt-CdSe@CdS heterostructured nanoparticles, and catalytic performance was correlated with topology and synthetic history. Initial findings of catalytic performance suggest that there in an advantage of depositing platinum nanoparticles onto the CdSe@CdS in the ionic liquid system. Methylene blue dye was degraded using each system and the results show and there is an increased performance of the nanorods synthesized in the ionic system.

This thesis reports the successful rational design of three highly active photocatalytic semiconductor nanocrystal (SNC) systems by exploiting morphology effects and the electronic properties of type II semiconductor heterojunctions. Novel architectures of colloidal SNCs are produced with the aim of suppressing exciton recombination and improving charge extraction for the successful initiation of desirable redox chemistry. Rod-shaped niobium pentoxide Nb₂O₅ nanocrystals (NCs) are shown to exhibit significantly enhanced activity (10-fold increase in rate constant) relative to spherical-shaped NCs of the same material. The increase is attributed to Nb5⁺ Lewis acid site rich (001) surfaces, present in higher proportions in the rod morphology, which bind organic substrates from solution resulting in direct interaction with photogenerated charges on the surface of the NC. Building on the insights into morphology-activity dependence, type II semiconductor heterojunctions are exploited for their ability to increase exciton lifetimes and spatially separate charges. Two novel II-VI heterostructured semiconductor nanocrystals (HSNCs) systems are investigated: a series of CdX/ZnO (X = S, Se, Te) HSNCs and ZnS/ZnO HSNCs capped with two different surface ligands. In the first case, substantial photocatalytic activity improvement is observed for HSNCs (relative to pure ZnO analogues) according to the following trend: CdTe/ZnO > CdS/ZnO > CdSe/ZnO. The observed trend is explained in terms of heterojunction structure and fundamental chalcogenide chemistry. In the second case, both ZnS/ZnO HSNCs exhibit activity enhancement over analogous pure ZnO, but the degree of enhancement is found to be a function of surface ligand chemistry. Photocatalytic activity testing of all the materials investigated in this work is performed via the photodecomposition of methylene blue dye in aerated aqueous conditions under UVA (350 nm) irradiation. The synthetic techniques employed for the synthesis of colloidal SNCs investigated in this thesis range from chemical precipitation and solvothermal techniques to several different organometallic approaches. A wide variety of analytical techniques are employed for the chemical, structural and optical characterisation of SNC photocatalysts including: XRD, XPS, TEM, UV-vis absorption, PL spectroscopy and FTIR. Atom Probe Tomography (APT) is employed for the first time in the structural characterisation of II-VI heterojunctions in colloidal HSNCs. Overall, this thesis provides a useful contribution to the growing body of knowledge pertaining to the enhancement of photocatalytic SNCs for useful applications including: solar energy conversion to chemical fuels, the photodecomposition of pollutants and light-driven synthetic chemistry.

The plasmonic nanoparticles provide new opportunities for developing visible light active photocatalysts because of enhanced visible light absorption efficiency. In spite of good catalytic activity of the nanocatalyst, separation of catalyst for reuse is difficult in many catalytic applications. So, apart from the catalytic activity good separability of the catalyst is also an important issue for the economy of the process. Considering these problems, we have synthesized Ag-AgBr/Fe2O3 heterostucture by a one-pot facile route. As Fe2O3 shows ferromagnetism along with semiconductor property, synthesized heterostucture is easy to separate by external magnetic field. Initially, CTAB coated Fe2O3 nanoparticles was synthesized in the presence of CTAB by co-precipitation of Fe+3 /Fe+2 (1:2) precursors, then AgBr was formed on the previously formed Fe2O3 nanoparticles after addition of AgNO3. Finally, after exposure to visible light the surface of AgBr converts to Ag0, and resulted to Ag-AgBr/Fe2O3 heterostructure. Synthesized Ag-AgBr/Fe2O3 nanoparticles was also characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, PL-spectroscopy, XRD, and FE-SEM and TEM analysis. We also studied the photocatalytic potential and recyclability of Ag-AgBr/Fe2O3 by degrading Methylene blue as a model organic pollutant. This study indicated that Ag-AgBr/Fe2O3 shows 2 to 3 time higher photocatalytic activity compared that of individual Ag-AgBr and Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

博士
國立臺灣科技大學
材料科學與工程系
104
Photocatalysis is one of the prospective techniques to overcome the energy shortage problem and global warming. It has been used widely in many applications such as elimination of gaseous and water pollutants, self-cleaning, antibacterial materials, and water splitting. However, work on enhancing the capability of photocatalysis is ongoing because photocatalysts with high activity and reactive selectivity are required for applications. Some limitations of photocatalyst to obtain high efficiency have been found due to the fast recombination rate of photo carriers. To overcome the limitation, some strategies such as coupling two semiconductors or depositing metal on surface of semiconductors with suitable band edge position can reduce the recombination phenomena. To draw new prospects in this field, metal/p-n nanoheterojunction photocatalyst (Ag-deposited p-type CuBiS2/n-type TiO2 nano composite) and p-n heterojunction between n-type solid solution and p-type semiconductors ((AgIn)xZn2(1-x)S2/Ag2S nanorods) have been successfully synthesized by solution based processes. Their morphologies, structures, and textures were carefully characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD). On the other hand, the suitable combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), UV-vis spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and Hall measurement were used to characterize and analyze performances of as-designed photocatalyst systems. There are three parts in this work. The first part deals about the growing of CuBiS2 nanoparticles and thin TiO2 layer on SiO2 sphere to form nano p-n heterojunction and the depositing Ag on its surfaces as electron trapping to reduce the recombination rate between photo carriers. This work is the first report of CuBiS2 semiconductor nanoparticles used as a material for photodegradation. The data showed that the SiO2/TiO2/CuBiS2/Ag composite particles completely degraded 50 mL of 10 ppm AB 1 dye solution in only 5 min under UV light irradiation and 100 mL of 5 ppm AB 1 dye solution in 30 min under visible light irradiation. The good photocatalysis of the composite spheres is attributed to the establishment of a good p−n heterojunction interface between the p-type CuBiS2 and n-type TiO2 semiconductors with the assistance of Ag nanoparticles. In the second part, the as-prepared photocatalyst of SiO2/TiO2/CuBiS2/Ag composite particles was embedded into thin nylon film to improve its recyclability and to solve the post treatment problems which need high cost and time in the processes. The post treatment is the process of refreshing photocatalyst after being used for removing pollutants. The embedded photocatalyst in thin nylon film (hybrid composite film) was stable and reusable without any post treatment process between the photocatalytic degradation sessions. The third part of this work was dealing with the heavy metal pollutant such as hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) by photocatalytic reduction to precipitate Cr(VI) as Cr(OH)3 with lower toxicity. In the third part, the concepts of p-n heterojunction and solid solution were simultaneously used to utilize high bandgap material such as ZnS and suppress the recombination rate of photo carriers. The photocatalyst was designed by doping Ag and In into ZnS lattice and followed by coupling with p-type Ag2S semiconductor to form Ag2S nanoparticle-decorated (AgIn)xZn2(1-x)S2 nanorod photocatalyst. The results showed only 20 mg of the as-prepared nanocomposites could reduce 100 mL of 10 ppm potassium dichromate by almost 100% in less than 90 min without adding any hole scavenger agents and pH adjustment (pH = 7). The good photocatalytic reduction was related to the narrower bandgap of (AgIn)xZn2(1−x)S2 solid solution because of the hybridized orbitals of Ag, In, Zn, and S and low recombination rate of photogenerated electron and hole pairs due to the effectiveness of p-type Ag2S and n-type (AgIn)xZn2(1−x)S2 nanoheterojunctions. This work not only gives a contribution to the creation of visible light photocatalysis for wide-bandgap semiconductors, but also extends our technological viewpoints in designing highly efficient metal sulfide photocatalyst.

Photocatalytic processes over semiconducting oxide surfaces have attracted worldwide attention as potentially efficient, environmentally friendly and low cost methods for water/air purification as well as for renewable hydrogen production. However, some limitations to achieve high photocatalytic efficiencies have been found due to the fast recombination of the charge carriers. Development of heterostucture photocatalysts by depositing metals on the surface of semiconductors or by coupling two semiconductors with suitable band edge position can reduce recombination phenomena by vectorial transfer of charge carriers. To draw new prospects in this domain, three different kinds of heterostructures such as n-type/n-type semiconductor (SnO2/ZnO), metal/n-type semiconductor (RuO2/TiO2 and RuO2/ZnO) and p-type/n-type semiconductor (NiO/TiO2) heterojunction nanomaterials were successfully prepared by solution process. Their composition, texture, structure and morphology were thoroughly characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 sorption measurements. On the other hand, a suitable combination of UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) data provided the energy band diagram for each system. The as-prepared heterojunction photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic efficiency than P25 TiO2 for the degradation of organic dyes (i.e. methylene blue and methyl orange) and the production of hydrogen. Particularly, heterostructure RuO2/TiO2 and NiO/TiO2 nanocomposites with optimum loading of RuO2 (5 wt %) and NiO (1 wt %), respectively, yielded the highest photocatalytic activities for the production of hydrogen. These enhanced performances were rationalized in terms of suitable band alignment as evidenced by XPS/UPS measurements along with their good textural and structural properties. This concept of semiconducting heterojunction nanocatalysts with high photocatlytic activity should find industrial application in the future to remove undesirable organics from the environment and to produce renewable hydrogen.

博士
國立東華大學
材料科學與工程學系
104
The work focuses on the two kinds of research direction of the dye degradation. First, we synthesized iron-doped TiO2 photocatalysts. The aim of the work is to study the effects of oxygen vacancy and surface hydroxyl group density on the photocatalytic activity of Fe3+-doped TiO2, and to investigate how the titanium dioxide doped with different concentration of the Fe3+ influenced their physical and chemical characterizations. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electron spin resonance (ESR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results revealed that adsorbed hydroxyl group density significantly influenced in photocatalytic activity, and a small amount of Fe3+ can act as a photo-generated hole and a photo-generated electron trap and inhibit the electron–hole recombination. The 0.10%- Fe3+-TiO2 with the highest surface hydroxyl group density revealed the maximum rate constant of 0.716 and the optimal photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). As Fe3+ doping levels are larger than 0.10%, the cluster of generated gradually. This implied that an excessive amount of Fe3+ doped into TiO2 is detrimental to the photocatalytic activity due to the formation of clusters and enhances the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. The second study proposed visible light of the recyclable magnetic photocatalytic degradation of the organic dye solution. If confirmed by studies with its feasibility, it will be applied to organic wastewater treatment program. We are studying for using this magnetic photocatalyst to treat dye wastewater as the following: (1) We prepared the TiO2/Mn-Zn ferrite composite powder for magnetic photocatalyst. The core Mn-Zn ferrite powder was synthesized by using steel pickling liquor and used alkaline batteries as the starting materials. The shell TiO2 nanocrystal was prepared by sol–gel hydrolysis precipitation of titanium isopropoxide (Ti(OC3H7)4) on the Mn-Zn ferrite powder. The thickness of the titania shell was found to be approximately 2 nm. The core of Mn-Zn ferrite is of spherical or elliptical shape and the particle size of the core is in the range of 20-40 nm. The magnetic Mn-Zn ferrite nanopowder is uniformly encapsulated in a titania layer forming the core–shell structure of TiO2/Mn-Zn ferrite powder. The magnetic photocatalyst can be successfully used to treat dye waste waters. (2) The TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite composite for magnetic photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activity is successfully prepared in this study. The composite are composed of spherical or elliptical Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite nanoparticles about 20-60 nm as magnetic cores, silica as barrier layers with thickness of 15 nm between the magnetic cores and titania shells with thickness approximately 1.5 nm. Photodegradation examination of TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite composite was carried out in methylene blue (MB) solutions illuminated under a Xe arc lamp with 35 W and color temperature of 6000 K. The results indicated that about 47.1% of MB molecules adsorbed on the TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite ferrite composite within 30 min mixing due to it higher pore volume of 0.034 cm3/g, and after 6 h Xe lamp irradiation, 83.9% of MB was photodegraded. Compared with the TiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite composite, the TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite ferrite composite with silica barrier layer prohibited the photodissolution and enhanced the photocatalytic ability. The magnetic photocatalyst shows high photocatalytic efficiency that the apparent first-order rate constant kobs is 0.18427 h-1, and good magnetic property that the saturation magnetization (Ms) of 37.45 emu/g, suggesting the magnetic photocatalyst can be easily recovered by the application of an external magnetic field. (3) Silver nanoparticles with different weight percentage immobilized on TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite nanoparticles were successfully prepared via coprecipitation and sol-gel hydrolysis precipitation method. The synthesized product was characterized using various techniques. Room temperature magnetic hysteresis curves shows that as synthesized 0.4wt% Ag immobilized TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite display superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 39.93 emu g-1. XPS characterization confirmed the presence of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of magnetic semiconductor photocatalyst. Surface morphology was analyzed using TEM, which shows a non-uniform shaped core-shell structure with an average particle size of 18-40 nm of Ag nanoparticles deposited on the surface. The effect of immobilization of Ag nanoparticles on structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. Photocatalytic dye degradation of Ag-TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite composite was carried out in methylene blue (MB) solutions. The results indicated 87.75% of MB was photodegraded under Xe lamp irradiation for 0.4 wt% of Ag immobilized TiO2/SiO2/Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite. Moreover, it can be easily separated and recycled without significant loss of photocatalytic activity after being used five times. Therefore, compared to the conventional photocatalysts, this magnetic core–shell photocatalyst is green, cheap and more suitable for large scale applications.

Photocatalysis on semiconductor metal oxide surfaces has attracted considerable attention as a sustainable environmentally friendly method for water/air purification and hydrogen production by water splitting. Among semiconducting metal oxides TiO2 has been intensively investigated as a promising photocatalyst candidate. However, despite many efforts, its photocatalytic activity is far from a practical level mainly due to inefficient charge carrier separation and resulting charge carrier recombination. An advantageous strategy to address this issue is the development of heterostructures by coupling to a metal to form a Schottky junction or to metal oxides to create a p-n junction at their interface in order to prevent the recombination by vectorial charge carrier separation at these energy junctions. On the other hand it was revealed over the past decade that crystal facets play a decisive role in trapping of charge carriers and thus photocatalytic redox reactions. Thus, selective deposition of metal or metal oxides onto specific facets would enhance the photocatalytic activity by improving charge separation. To achieve higher activities, two methods, the supercritical fluid chemical deposition route and the photodeposition method, were investigated to deposit selectively p-type NiO onto specific facets of ntype TiO2 single crystalline nanoparticles to establish a p-n junction. The resulting NiO/TiO2 nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), N2 sorption measurements, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). The heterojunction photocatalysts showed higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure TiO2 for the decomposition of organic dyes. Particularly, 0.1-0.25 wt % of NiO was the optimal loading amount, showing the highest activity. To elucidate the role of crystal facets of TiO2 and the effect of selective deposition of NiO, rutile (001), rutile (110), anatase (001), and anatase (101) surfaces with different surface states were prepared and their electronic properties were systematically compared by XPS and UPS measurements. Furthermore, water adsorption onto the different surfaces were also investigated. Regardless of surface stoichiometry, the Fermi level position of the anatase (001) surface is situated higher than that of the anatase (101) surface in energy while that of the rutile (001) surface is located lower than that of the rutile (110) surface. This can explain why photo-generated electrons and holes preferentially migrate to the (101) and (001) facets on TiO2 anatase crystals, respectively. Work function values of these oriented surfaces vary depending upon the surface states related to distribution and amount of oxygen vacancies as well as adsorbed oxygen peroxo species on the surface. In order to experimentally determine energy band alignments, interface experiments were performed by stepwisely depositing NiO onto above well-defined oriented TiO2 surfaces. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of NiO/TiO2 heterostructure nanoparticles were rationalized on the basis of the obtained band alignments. The information of electronic properties of different oriented TiO2 under various surface states would provide a new insight to construct the optimal energy band alignment of the heterostructure system with TiO2. In addition, the concept of heterojuction nanocrystals where co-catalysts are selectively deposited should find practical application to purify the environment and to sustainably produce renewable hydrogen.

Li, Qian = 半導體异质结构在光催化和光電催化中的研究 / 李乾.
Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2015.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-162).
Abstracts also in Chinese.
Title from PDF title page (viewed on 30, December, 2016).
Li, Qian = Ban dao ti yi zhi jie gou zai guang cui hua he guang dian cui hua zhong de yan jiu / Li Qian.

博士
國立清華大學
材料科學工程學系
106
Photocatalyic water splitting with metal oxide heterostructure as photocatalysts has been a valuable and efficient hydrogen production method in recent years. Previous studies have shown that oxygen vacancies formed in photoelectrochemical reactions play an important part in the efficiency enhancement. However, the relation between the oxygen vacancy formation and the vacuum level of synthesis system has not been investigated. In this work, SnO2-x/In2O3-y heterostructures, as water splitting photocatalysts, were prepared in the synthesis systems with different vacuum levels. A series of in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation had been carried out, observing the detailed changes during SnO2-x/In2O3-y heterostructures formation, basically following the thermodynamic rules. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence measurements and in situ TEM observations indicate that the amount of oxygen vacancies increase in SnO2-x/In2O3-y heterostructures synthesized in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system compared to SnO2-x/In2O3-y heterostructures formed in a low vacuum furnace. The observed 25~30% higher hydrogen production efficiency in SnO2-x/In2O3-y heterostructures formed in UHV comparing with SnO2-x/In2O3-y heterostructures formed in furnace ambient is attributed to presence of the more abundant oxygen vacancies. The results indicate that an optimized heterostructured photocatalyst can be designed by controlling the vacuum level in the synthesis process.

碩士
國立清華大學
材料科學工程學系
100
Ag/ZnO heterostructures are versatile materials capable of transferring interfacial charge transfer and suppressing electron-hole pairs recombination. Recently, great efforts have been made to prepare Ag/ZnO heterostructures with various morphologies such as clusters (particles-to-particles) and dendrites (wires-to-wires). We herein report a novel heterostructure of ZnO nanowire arrays growing on single crystalline polygonal Ag microplates which provides the merits of the antireflection layer for ZnO nanowire arrays and the 2D electrons transportation layer for Ag microplates. The Ag/ZnO heterostructure was fabricated by utilizing the rivalrous polyol reduction method and aqueous solution method. The experimental results showed that the edge length of single crystalline Ag microplates can reach up to 5 μm, and the Ag microplates are highly oriented with {111} facets as the basal planes. Arrays of single crystalline ZnO NWs were vertically assembled along <0001> direction attaching on the {111} facets of Ag microplates. It was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmittance electron microscope (TEM) and X–ray photoemission spectrum (XPS), revealing the direct contact and the charge transfer between Ag microplates and ZnO nanowires. Meanwhile, contacts of Ag/ZnO heterostructure form the charge separation, so enhance the photocatalytic activity by using the representative target pollutant–Methyl blue (MB). It shows the positive results of the heterostructure enhance the activities of MB photodegradation at the pseudo first order kinetic constant of 6.60×10-3 min-1 by means of employing micrograms of photocatalysts.

碩士
國立臺灣科技大學
材料科學與工程系
107
In this thesis, three different kinds of materials were being investigated, SnO2/SnS2 heterostructure nanoflakes, SnxSe(1-x) nanowires and SnSe2/SnSe heterostructure nanoflakes. For the first part, SnO2/SnS2 heterostructure nanoflakes was fabricated with CVD method and the composition can be controlled by adjusting the cooling time during the process. Here, four kinds of nanoflakes were being synthesized, SnO2, SnS2, SnO2/SnS2 (SnO2 rich) and SnO2/SnS2 (SnS2 rich), respectively. Afterwards, these nanoflakes were then used to photodegrade methyl blue solution under 5 W, 475 nm LED light source to probe the influence of SnO2/SnS2 heterojunction to photocatalytic performance. On the basis of the result from UV-Vis spectrometer, the SnO2/SnS2 heterojunction can improve the degraded performance. Base of the band structure of SnO2 and SnS2, the SnO2/SnS2 is a type II heterojunction that will separate electrons and holes to enhance carrier life time and further ameliorate the photodegraded property. For the second part, SnxSe(1-x) nanowires, in order to control the composition, the AAO template supporting die casting process was being adopted, and the SnxSe(1-x) nanowires with different x were fabricated by directly changing the composition of SnxSe(1-x) bulks. In this report, 8 kinds of SnxSe(1-x) (x=0.47~0.53) nanowires have been synthesized. Those SnxSe(1-x) (x=0.47~0.53) nanowires were used to fabricate the photodetector to detect the light from visible light to infrared light. As result, the photoresponse will rise with the increasing x. To understand the mechanism, the band structure simulation with different concentration of Sn and Se vacancies were being employed and the consequence shown that the band gap will decrease when the defect concentration is ascending. Moreover, under the same defect concentration, the inducing of Se vacancies demonstrate much lower band gap than Sn vacancies. In other words, the free electrons inside SnxSe(1-x) increase as x increase, which mean Sn0.53Se0.47 can generate more electrons and holes than SnSe under the same power density of the irradiation light source and further enhance the photoresponse. For the third part, SnSe2/SnSe heterostructure nanoflakes were prepared by using H2Cr2O7 or NaOH as an etching solution to etch Sn0.39Se0.61(SnSe-SnSe2 eutectic phase) bulk through selective etching between SnSe and SnSe2. Depend on the XRD and Raman spectrum, the SnSe2 phase is the priority etching phase even for NaOH or H2Cr2O7 solution. Here, the Sn0.39Se0.61 bulk was soaked in H2Cr2O7 solution to obtain SnSe2/SnSe and SnSe nanoflakes, and used in Li-ion battery. Even though the theoretical capacitance of SnSe2 (800 mAh/g) is lower than SnSe (847 mAh/g), SnSe2/SnSe nanoflakes also display the higher reversible capacitance than SnSe nanoflakes. It can be attributed to the build in electric field at SnSe2/SnSe heterojunction that can enhance the carrier mobility to lower charge transfer resistance of SnSe2/SnSe nanoflakes. Besides, we also investigate the influence of heat treatment on precursor Sn0.39Se0.61 bulk (3 types: quench, annealing after quench and slow cooling rate) and the obtained SnSe2/SnSe nanoflakes. These three kinds of SnSe2/SnSe nanoflakes were used as photocatalyst to degrade MB dye under 5 W, 475 nm LED. Since the carrier live time of the SnSe nanoflakes with high crystallinity is longer than the quenching sample, the annealing and slow cooling SnSe nanoflakes is expected to have better degradation ability, and the results show that the SnSe nanoflake that annealed after quenching really have the best degradation effect.