Photoactive materials based on semiconducting nanocarbons-A challenge opening new possibilities for photocatalysis

• 来源期刊: 能源化学
• 年，卷（期）: 2017,（2）
• 页码范围: 207-218
• 页数: 12页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

This perspective paper introduces the concept that nanocarbons and related materials such as carbon dots are an interesting intrinsic photocatalytic semiconducting material,and not only a modifier of the existing (semiconducting) materials to prepare hybrid materials.The semiconducting properties of the nanocarbons,and the possibility to have the band gap within the visible-light region through defect band engineering,introduction of light heteroatoms and control/manipulation of the curvature or surface functionalization are discussed.These materials are conceptually different from the "classical" semiconducting photocatalysts,because semiconductor domains with tuneable characteristics are embedded in a conductive carbon matrix,with the presence of various functional groups (as C=O groups) enhancing charge separation by trapping electrons.These nanocarbons open a range of new possibilities for photocatalysis both for energetic and environmental applications.The use of nanocarbons as quantum dots and photoluminescent materials was also analysed.