A thiomolybdate cluster for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution: comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous approaches.

This study investigates the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency of two photosystems incorporating an all-inorganic molecular thiomolybdate [MoS] cluster as a HER catalyst. First, we delve into the performance of a homogeneous [MoS]/[Ru(bpy)] (Mo/Ru) dyad which demonstrates high turnover frequencies (TOFs) and apparent quantum yields (AQYs) at 445 nm approaching the level of 0.5%, yet its performance is marked by pronounced deactivation.

Efficient Strategies to Use β-Cationic Porphyrin-Imidazolium Derivatives in the Photoinactivation of Methicillin-Resistant .

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a critical global health issue and the development of alternatives to conventional antibiotics is of the upmost relevance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is considered a promising and innovative approach for the photoinactivation of microorganisms, particularly in cases where traditional antibiotics may be less effective due to resistance or other limitations. In this study, two β-modified monocharged porphyrin-imidazolium derivatives were efficiently incorporated into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) formulations and supported into graphitic carbon nitride materials.

Engineering g-CN with CuAl-layered double hydroxide in 2D/2D heterostructures for visible-light water splitting.

CuAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) and polymeric carbon nitride (g-CN, GCNN) were assembled to construct a set of novel 2D/2D CuAl-LDH/GCNN heterostructures. These materials were tested towards H and O generation from water splitting using visible-light irradiation. Compared to pristine materials, the heterostructures displayed strongly enhanced visible-light H evolution, dependent on the LDH content, which acts as a cocatalyst, replacing the benchmark Pt.

Boosting the Oxygen Evolution Activity of FeNi Oxides/Hydroxides by Molecular and Atomic Engineering.

FeNi oxides/hydroxides are the best performing catalysts for oxidizing water at basic pH. Consequently, their improvement is the cornerstone to develop more efficient artificial photosynthetic systems. During the last 5 years different reports have demonstrated an enhancement of their activity by engineering their structures via: (1) modulation of the number of oxygen, iron and nickel vacancies; (2) single atoms (SAs) doping with metals such as Au, Ir, Ru and Pt; and (3) modification of their surface using organic ligands.

Hummers' and Brodie's graphene oxides as photocatalysts for phenol degradation.

Undoped metal-free graphene oxide (GO) materials prepared by either a modified Hummers' (GO-H) or a Brodie's (GO-B) method were tested as photocatalysts in aqueous solution for the oxidative conversion of phenol. In the dark, the adsorptive capacity of GO-B towards phenol (~35%) was higher than that of GO-H (~15%). Upon near-UV/Vis irradiation, GO-H was able to remove 21% of phenol after 180 min, mostly through adsorption.

Treatment of biodigested coffee processing wastewater using Fenton's oxidation and coagulation/flocculation.

Biodigested coffee processing wastewater (CPW) presents a high organic load and does not meet the limits imposed by legislation (namely in Brazil) for discharge into water bodies. Anaerobic digestion generally cannot provide a satisfactory organic matter reduction in CPW as a significant fraction of recalcitrant compounds still persists in the treated effluent. So, this study aims to find alternative ways to remove refractory organic compounds from this wastewater in order to improve the biodegradability and reduce the toxicity, which will allow its recirculation back into the anaerobic digester.

β-Cyclodextrin as a Precursor to Holey C-Doped g-C N Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation.

A green, template-free and easy-to-implement strategy was developed to access holey g-C N (GCN) nanosheets doped with carbon. The protocol involves heating dicyandiamide with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) prior to polymerization. The local symmetry of the GCN skeleton is broken, yielding CxGCN (x corresponds to the initial amount of βCD used) with pores and a distorted structure.

Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of pesticides using decatungstate intercalated macroporous layered double hydroxides.

Decatungstate W10O32(4-) was efficiently intercalated between the layers of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Mg2Al-layered double hydroxide. The structural and textural properties of as-prepared intercalated compound were characterized using different solid-state characterization techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies and electronic microscopy. The photocatalytic properties of immobilized W10O32 (4-) within Mg2Al structure were investigated using 2-(1-naphthyl) acetamide (NAD) as a model of pesticide.

Photochemical degradation of the plant growth regulator 2-(1-naphthyl) acetamide in aqueous solution upon UV irradiation.

The photochemical degradation of 2-(1-naphthyl) acetamide (NAD) in aqueous solution using simulated sunlight excitation as well as UV light within the 254-300 nm range was investigated to obtain an insight into the transformation mechanism that could occur under environmental conditions. Several photoproducts were identified using HPLC/MS/MS techniques. The degradation quantum yield was found to be independent of the excitation wavelength, but showed a dependence of oxygen concentration.