Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity of SnO2-ZnO Quantum Dots Anchored on g-C3N4 Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Pollutant Degradation and H2 Production.

A zero-dimensional/two-dimensional heterostructure consists of binary SnO2-ZnO quantum dots (QDs) deposited on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets. The so-called SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid was successfully synthesized via an in situ co-pyrolysis approach to achieve efficient photoactivity for the degradation of pollutants and production of hydrogen (H2) under visible-light irradiation. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images show the close contacts between SnO2-ZnO QDs with the g-C3N4 in the ternary SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid. The optimized hybrid shows excellent photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 99% rhodamine B dye degradation in 60 min under visible-light irradiation. The enriched charge-carrier separation and transportation in the SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid was determined based on electrochemical impedance and photocurrent analyses. This remarkable photoactivity is ascribed to the "smart" heterostructure, which yields numerous benefits, such as visible-light-driven fast electron and hole transfer, due to the strong interaction between the SnO2-ZnO QDs with the g-C3N4 matrix. In addition, the SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid demonstrated a high rate of hydrogen production (13 673.61 µmol g-1), which is 1.06 and 2.27 times higher than that of the binary ZnO/g-C3N4 hybrid (12 785.54 µmol g-1) and pristine g-C3N4 photocatalyst (6017.72 µmol g-1). The synergistic effect of increased visible absorption and diminished recombination results in enhanced performance of the as-synthesized tin oxide- and zinc oxide-modified g-C3N4. We conclude that the present ternary SnO2-ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 hybrid is a promising electrode material for H2 production and photoelectrochemical cells.

Air ionization as a control technology for off-gas emissions of volatile organic compounds.

High energy electron-impact ionizers have found applications mainly in industry to reduce off-gas emissions from waste gas streams at low cost and high efficiency because of their ability to oxidize many airborne organic pollutants (e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) to CO2 and H2O. Applications of air ionizers in indoor air quality management are limited due to poor removal efficiency and production of noxious side products, e.g., ozone (O3). In this paper, we provide a critical evaluation of the pollutant removal performance of air ionizing system through comprehensive review of the literature. In particular, we focus on removal of VOCs and odorants. We also discuss the generation of unwanted air ionization byproducts such as O3, NOx, and VOC oxidation intermediates that limit the use of air-ionizers in indoor air quality management.

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 over Cu-TiO2 /molecular sieve 5A composite.

TiO(2) and different Cu wt% loaded TiO(2) (TC(0.5-5.0)), 10 wt% TC(2.0) supported on molecular sieve 5A (10 wt% TC(2.0)/MS) were prepared by impregnation and solid-state dispersion methods. The photocatalysts prepared were characterized using XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis DRS, TEM, XPS spectroscopy techniques. Photocatalytic reduction of CO(2) in water and alkaline solution are investigated in a batch reactor. The yield of oxalic acid increased notably when TC was supported on molecular sieve. The Cu-TiO(2) supported on molecular sieve catalyst promotes the charge separation that leads to an increase in the selective formation of oxalic acid in addition to methanol, acetic acid and traces of methane. The product formation is due to the high adsorption of CO(2), water and product shape selectivity of the composite photocatalyst. The maximum yield of oxalic acid was found to be 65.6 µg h(-1) g(-1) per cat using 0.2 N NaOH containing solution over 10 wt% TC(2.0)/MS photocatalyst. The difference in the photocatalytic activity is related to its physicochemical properties.