Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are major pollutants in the air. However, low concentrations of NOx (< ppm) persist in the atmosphere, making them difficult to efficiently remove using traditional methods such as physical/chemical adsorption and selective catalytic reduction. Photocatalytic technologies based on semiconductor materials can convert NOx in the air into adsorbed nitrate species. However, the low light utilization efficiencies and narrow light response ranges of some photocatalysts can make it difficult to achieve efficient photocatalytic NO conversion for use in air pollution control.
Chuanyi Wang, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China, Qiuhui Zhu, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology and Wuyi University, Wuyishan, China, and colleagues have developed nickel-doped Bi2O2CO3 (Ni2+-Bi2O2CO3) nanosheets for the conversion of ppb-level NO in the gas phase. The team used a hydrothermal method for the Ni2+ doping of Bi2O2CO3.
Compared with non-doped Bi2O2CO3, the resulting catalyst exhibited a ca. 2.8 times higher NO removal rate of 59.4 % under visible light. According to the researchers, the introduction of Ni2+ broadens the light response range of Ni2+-Bi2O2CO3 and reduces the recombination of photogenerated carriers. The doping facilitates the generation of reactive oxygen species and improves the activity of photocatalytic NO removal. Overall, the work presents a new option for improving photocatalytic activity through doping for air purification.
- Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Nickel(II)‐Doped Bi2O2CO3 Nanosheets for Efficient Nitric Oxide Removal,
Shuwei Wei, Qiuhui Zhu, Haitao Ren, Ximing Li, Yue Xin, Hui Wang, Chuanyi Wang,
ChemPhotoChem 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1002/cptc.202400244
