Citation: Chengbo Zhang, Xiaoping Tao, Wenchao Jiang, Junxue Guo, Pengfei Zhang, Can Li, Rengui Li. Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Bismuth Chromate Crystals for Photogenerated Charge Separation[J]. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, ;2024, 40(1): 230303. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202303034 shu

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Bismuth Chromate Crystals for Photogenerated Charge Separation

Chengbo Zhang ^{1, 2} ,
Xiaoping Tao ^{1, 2} ,
Wenchao Jiang ^{1, 3} ,
Junxue Guo ^{1, 3} ,
Pengfei Zhang ^{1, 2} ,
Can Li ^{1, 2, 3} ,
Rengui Li ^{1, 2,,}

1.
State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian 116023, Liaoning Province, China
2.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
3.
School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

Corresponding author: Rengui Li, rgli@dicp.ac.cn
Received Date: 16 March 2023
Revised Date: 11 April 2023
Accepted Date: 14 April 2023
Available Online: 21 April 2023
Fund Project: the National Key Research and Development Program of China 2021YFA1502300Fundamental Research Center of Artificial Photosynthesis (FReCAP) under National Natural Science Foundation of China 22088102R.L. thanks the support from National Natural Science Foundation of China 22090033R.L. thanks the support from National Natural Science Foundation of China 22272165

The conversion of renewable solar energy into chemical energy is an important topic in research. Recently, bismuth chromate (Bi₂CrO₆) has attracted attention in photocatalytic research, particularly for its potential applications in pollutant degradation and water splitting. This layered metal oxide exhibits a narrow optical band gap of approximately 1.9 eV and can utilize most of visible light in the solar spectrum. However, the photocatalytic activity of Bi₂CrO₆ is relatively low, and its poor charge separation properties restrict its practical applications. Herein, we report a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the fabrication of Bi₂CrO₆ crystals with high crystallinity and uniform morphology. Compared with the conventional preparations, microwave irradiation induces rapid volumetric heating and greatly accelerates nucleation and growth reactions, forming Bi₂CrO₆ crystals within minutes. Multiple characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and scanning electron microscopy, were employed to examine the crystallinity and morphologies of the samples. Microwave-assisted synthesized Bi₂CrO₆ crystals showed better water oxidation activity in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical tests than the conventional samples. Oxygen evolution rates were boosted 7.2 and 3.1 times using AgNO₃ and Fe(NO₃)₃ as electron acceptors, respectively. Further investigations showed that microwave-assisted Bi₂CrO₆ crystals exhibited improved photogenerated charge separation. The average lifetime of photogenerated carriers, calculated from time-resolved photoluminescence results, also showed an increase. Furthermore, using photodeposition of metals and oxides as probes, the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes was demonstrated to take place between {001} top and side facets of the Bi₂CrO₆ crystal samples. Loading reduction and oxidation cocatalysts onto different facets significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activities. These results enforce the promise of microwave-assisted Bi₂CrO₆ crystal synthesis for photocatalytic water-splitting applications and present a solution for efficient solar-energy conversion.
- Microwave synthesis,
- Bismuth chromate,
- Semiconductor,
- Photocatalysis,
- Water oxidation
1. [1]
  Inoue, Y. Energy Environ. Sci. 2009, 2, 364. doi: 10.1039/B816677N doi: 10.1039/B816677N
2. [2]
  Maeda, K.; Domen, K. J. Phys. Chem. C 2007, 111, 7851. doi: 10.1021/jp070911w doi: 10.1021/jp070911w
3. [3]
  He, R.; Cao, S.; Yu, J. Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. 2016, 32, 2841. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201611021
4. [4]
  He, R.; Chen, R.; Luo, J.; Zhang, S.; Xu, D. Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. 2021, 37, 2011022. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202011022
5. [5]
  Tao, X.; Zhao, Y.; Mu, L.; Wang, S.; Li, R.; Li, C. Adv. Energy Mater. 2018, 8, 1701392. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201701392 doi: 10.1002/aenm.201701392
6. [6]
  He, R.; Xu, D.; Cheng, B.; Yu, J.; Ho, W. Nanoscale Horiz. 2018, 3, 464. doi: 10.1039/c8nh00062j doi: 10.1039/c8nh00062j
7. [7]
  Xu, M.; Yang, J.; Sun, C.; Liu, L.; Cui, Y.; Liang, B. Chem. Eng. J. 2020, 389, 124402. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.124402 doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.124402
8. [8]
  Hasanvandian, F.; Moradi, M.; Samani, S. A.; Kakavandi, B.; Setayesh, S. R.; Noorisepehr, M. Chemosphere 2022, 287, 132273. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132273 doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132273
9. [9]
  Li, Z.; Zhang, Z.; Wang, L.; Meng, X. J. Catal. 2020, 382, 40. doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2019.12.001 doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2019.12.001
10. [10]
  Lai, K.; Wei, W.; Dai, Y.; Zhang, R.; Huang, B. Rare Metals 2011, 30, 166. doi: 10.1007/s12598-011-0262-0 doi: 10.1007/s12598-011-0262-0
11. [11]
  Liu, Y. H.; Li, J. B.; Liang, J. K.; Luo, J.; Ji, L. N.; Zhang, J. Y.; Rao, G. H. Mater. Chem. Phys. 2008, 112, 239. doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2008.05.038 doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2008.05.038
12. [12]
  Zhang, Q.; Huang, B.; Wang, P.; Zhang, X.; Qin, X.; Wang, Z. Int. J. Photoenergy 2012, 2012, 461291. doi: 10.1155/2012/461291 doi: 10.1155/2012/461291
13. [13]
  Chawla, H.; Chandra, A.; Ingole, P. P.; Garg, S. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 2021, 95, 1. doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2020.12.028 doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2020.12.028
14. [14]
  Tao, X.; Zhou, H.; Zhang, C.; Ta, N.; Li, R.; Li, C. Adv. Mater. 2023, 35, 2211182. doi: 10.1002/adma.202211182 doi: 10.1002/adma.202211182
15. [15]
  Jiang, W.; Ni, C.; Zhang, L.; Shi, M.; Qu, J.; Zhou, H.; Zhang, C.; Chen, R.; Wang, X.; Li, C.; et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202207161. doi: 10.1002/anie.202207161 doi: 10.1002/anie.202207161
16. [16]
  Mu, L.; Zhao, Y.; Li, A.; Wang, S.; Wang, Z.; Yang, J.; Wang, Y.; Liu, T.; Chen, R.; Zhu, J.; et al. Energy Environ. Sci. 2016, 9, 2463. doi: 10.1039/C6EE00526H doi: 10.1039/C6EE00526H
17. [17]
  Shi, M.; Li, G.; Li, J.; Jin, X.; Tao, X.; Zeng, B.; Pidko, E. A.; Li, R.; Li, C. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 6590. doi: 10.1002/anie.201916510 doi: 10.1002/anie.201916510
18. [18]
  Zhao, Y.; Ding, C.; Zhu, J.; Qin, W.; Tao, X.; Fan, F.; Li, R.; Li, C. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 9653. doi: 10.1002/anie.202001438 doi: 10.1002/anie.202001438
19. [19]
  Zhao, Y.; Li, R.; Mu, L.; Li, C. Cryst. Growth Des. 2017, 17, 2923. doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.7b00291 doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.7b00291
20. [20]
  Rodrigues, B. S.; Branco, C. M.; Corio, P.; Souza, J. S. Cryst. Growth Des. 2020, 20, 3673. doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.9b01517 doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.9b01517
21. [21]
  Xie, J.; Shevlin, S. A.; Ruan, Q.; Moniz, S. J. A.; Liu, Y.; Liu, X.; Li, Y.; Lau, C. C.; Guo, Z. X.; Tang, J. Energy Environ. Sci. 2018, 11, 1617. doi: 10.1039/C7EE02981K doi: 10.1039/C7EE02981K
22. [22]
  Mei, Z. H.; Wang, G. H.; Yan, S. D.; Wang, J. Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. 2021, 37, 2009097. doi: 10.3866/pku.Whxb202009097
23. [23]
  Huang, C.; Wen, Y.; Ma, J.; Dong, D.; Shen, Y.; Liu, S.; Ma, H.; Zhang, Y. Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 320. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20521-5 doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20521-5
24. [24]
  Wu, L.; Bi, J.; Li, Z.; Wang, X.; Fu, X. Catal. Today 2008, 131, 15. doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2007.10.089 doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2007.10.089
25. [25]
  Wang, J.; Wu, W.; Kondo, H.; Fan, T.; Zhou, H. Nanotechnology 2022, 33, 342002. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac6c97 doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac6c97
26. [26]
  Yang, G.; Park, S. -J. Materials 2019, 12, 1177. doi: 10.3390/ma12071177 doi: 10.3390/ma12071177
27. [27]
  Anumol, E. A.; Kundu, P.; Deshpande, P. A.; Madras, G.; Ravishankar, N. ACS Nano 2011, 5, 8049. doi: 10.1021/nn202639f doi: 10.1021/nn202639f
28. [28]
  Chen, Y.; Yang, W.; Gao, S.; Zhu, L.; Sun, C.; Li, Q. ChemSusChem 2018, 11, 1521. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201800180 doi: 10.1002/cssc.201800180
29. [29]
  Yang, Z.; Shen, M.; Dai, K.; Zhang, X.; Chen, H. Appl. Surf. Sci. 2018, 430, 505. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.08.072 doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.08.072
30. [30]
  Hamza, M. A.; El-Shazly, A. N.; Allam, N. K. Mater. Lett. 2020, 262, 127188. doi: 10.1016/j.matlet.2019.127188 doi: 10.1016/j.matlet.2019.127188
31. [31]
  Bandiello, E.; Errandonea, D.; Martinez-Garcia, D.; Santamaria-Perez, D.; Manjón, F. J. Phys. Rev. B 2012, 85, 024108. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.024108 doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.024108
32. [32]
  Frost, R. L. J. Raman Spectrosc. 2004, 35, 153. doi: 10.1002/jrs.1121 doi: 10.1002/jrs.1121
33. [33]
  Leandro, M. K. D. N. S.; Moura, J. V. B.; Freire, P. D. T. C.; Vega, M. L.; Lima, C. D. L.; Hidalgo, Á. A.; Araújo, A. C. J. D.; Freitas, P. R.; Paulo, C. L. R.; Sousa, A. K. D.; et al. Antibiotics 2021, 10, 1068. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10091068 doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10091068
34. [34]
  Chaves, M. D. S.; Lima, G. D.; De Assis, M.; Mendonca, C. D. S.; Pinatti, I. M.; Gouveia, A. F.; Rosa, I. L. V.; Longo, E.; Almeida, M. A. P.; Franco, T. J. Solid State Chem. 2019, 274, 270. doi: 10.1016/j.jssc.2019.03.031 doi: 10.1016/j.jssc.2019.03.031
35. [35]
  Lu, J.; Zhou, W.; Zhang, X.; Xiang, G. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2020, 11, 1038. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03575 doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03575
36. [36]
  Chen, X.; Xu, Y.; Ma, X.; Zhu, Y. Natl. Sci. Rev. 2020, 7, 652. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz198 doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz198
37. [37]
  Meng, X.; Zhang, Z. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 2015, 310, 33. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.04.024 doi: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.04.024
38. [38]
  Gao, X.; Huang, K.; Zhang, Z.; Meng, X. Chem. Commun. 2022, 58, 2014. doi: 10.1039/D1CC06734F doi: 10.1039/D1CC06734F
39. [39]
  Li, R.; Zhang, F.; Wang, D.; Yang, J.; Li, M.; Zhu, J.; Zhou, X.; Han, H.; Li, C. Nat. Commun. 2013, 4, 1432. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2401 doi: 10.1038/ncomms2401
40. [40]
  Li, R.; Tao, X.; Chen, R.; Fan, F.; Li, C. Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 14337. doi: 10.1002/chem.20150256 doi: 10.1002/chem.20150256
1. [1]
  Weixu Li , Yuexin Wang , Lin Li , Xinyi Huang , Mengdi Liu , Bo Gui , Xianjun Lang , Cheng Wang . Promoting energy transfer pathway in porphyrin-based sp2 carbon-conjugated covalent organic frameworks for selective photocatalytic oxidation of sulfide. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(7): 100299-100299. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100299
2. [2]
  Jiaqi Ma , Lan Li , Yiming Zhang , Jinjie Qian , Xusheng Wang . Covalent organic frameworks: Synthesis, structures, characterizations and progress of photocatalytic reduction of CO2. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(12): 100466-100466. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100466
3. [3]
  Hong-Tao Ji , Yu-Han Lu , Yan-Ting Liu , Yu-Lin Huang , Jiang-Feng Tian , Feng Liu , Yan-Yan Zeng , Hai-Yan Yang , Yong-Hong Zhang , Wei-Min He . Nd@C₃N₄-photoredox/chlorine dual catalyzed synthesis and evaluation of antitumor activities of 4-alkylated sulfonyl ketimines. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110568-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110568
4. [4]
  Jia-Cheng Hou , Wei Cai , Hong-Tao Ji , Li-Juan Ou , Wei-Min He . Recent advances in semi-heterogenous photocatalysis in organic synthesis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110469-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110469
5. [5]
  Yan Fan , Jiao Tan , Cuijuan Zou , Xuliang Hu , Xing Feng , Xin-Long Ni . Unprecedented stepwise electron transfer and photocatalysis in supramolecular assembly derived hybrid single-layer two-dimensional nanosheets in water. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 110101-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110101
6. [6]
  Zhen Shi , Wei Jin , Yuhang Sun , Xu Li , Liang Mao , Xiaoyan Cai , Zaizhu Lou . Interface charge separation in Cu2CoSnS4/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2023, 42(12): 100201-100201. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100201
7. [7]
  Qiang Zhang , Weiran Gong , Huinan Che , Bin Liu , Yanhui Ao . S doping induces to promoted spatial separation of charge carriers on carbon nitride for efficiently photocatalytic degradation of atrazine. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2023, 42(12): 100205-100205. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100205
8. [8]
  Ziruo Zhou , Wenyu Guo , Tingyu Yang , Dandan Zheng , Yuanxing Fang , Xiahui Lin , Yidong Hou , Guigang Zhang , Sibo Wang . Defect and nanostructure engineering of polymeric carbon nitride for visible-light-driven CO2 reduction. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(3): 100245-100245. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100245
9. [9]
  Mengjun Zhao , Yuhao Guo , Na Li , Tingjiang Yan . Deciphering the structural evolution and real active ingredients of iron oxides in photocatalytic CO2 hydrogenation. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(8): 100348-100348. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100348
10. [10]
  Jiangqi Ning , Junhan Huang , Yuhang Liu , Yanlei Chen , Qing Niu , Qingqing Lin , Yajun He , Zheyuan Liu , Yan Yu , Liuyi Li . Alkyl-linked TiO2@COF heterostructure facilitating photocatalytic CO2 reduction by targeted electron transport. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(12): 100453-100453. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100453
11. [11]
  Yanghanbin Zhang , Dongxiao Wen , Wei Sun , Jiahe Peng , Dezhong Yu , Xin Li , Yang Qu , Jizhou Jiang . State-of-the-art evolution of g-C3N4-based photocatalytic applications: A critical review. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(12): 100469-100469. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100469
12. [12]
  Tianhao Li , Wenguang Tu , Zhigang Zou . In situ photocatalytically enhanced thermogalvanic cells for electricity and hydrogen production. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(1): 100195-100195. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100195
13. [13]
  Guixu Pan , Zhiling Xia , Ning Wang , Hejia Sun , Zhaoqi Guo , Yunfeng Li , Xin Li . Preparation of high-efficient donor-π-acceptor system with crystalline g-C3N4 as charge transfer module for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(12): 100463-100463. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100463
14. [14]
  Xin Jiang , Han Jiang , Yimin Tang , Huizhu Zhang , Libin Yang , Xiuwen Wang , Bing Zhao . g-C₃N₄/TiO_2-X heterojunction with high-efficiency carrier separation and multiple charge transfer paths for ultrasensitive SERS sensing. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(10): 109415-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109415
15. [15]
  Yue Pan , Wenping Si , Yahao Li , Haotian Tan , Ji Liang , Feng Hou . Promoting exciton dissociation by metal ion modification in polymeric carbon nitride for photocatalysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109877-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109877
16. [16]
  Chaoqun Ma , Yuebo Wang , Ning Han , Rongzhen Zhang , Hui Liu , Xiaofeng Sun , Lingbao Xing . Carbon dot-based artificial light-harvesting systems with sequential energy transfer and white light emission for photocatalysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(4): 108632-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108632
17. [17]
  Jing Wang , Zenghui Li , Xiaoyang Liu , Bochao Su , Honghong Gong , Chao Feng , Guoping Li , Gang He , Bin Rao . Fine-tuning redox ability of arylene-bridged bis(benzimidazolium) for electrochromism and visible-light photocatalysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109473-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109473
18. [18]
  Yusong Bi , Rongzhen Zhang , Kaikai Niu , Shengsheng Yu , Hui Liu , Lingbao Xing . Construction of a three-step sequential energy transfer system with selective enhancement of superoxide anion radicals for photocatalysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110311-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110311
19. [19]
  Qinwei Lu , Jinjie Lu , Juying Lei , Xubiao Luo , Yanbo Zhou . Cyclodextrin-boosted photocatalytic oxidation for efficient bisphenol A removal. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110017-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110017
20. [20]
  Liyong Ding , Zhenhua Pan , Qian Wang . 2D photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide synthesis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 110125-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110125

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(14)
Abstract views(2009)
HTML views(108)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142