Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as a rising class of carbon family have gained widespread attention in view of their multiple properties such as great photoluminescence (PL) properties, facile synthesis route, needing economical and cheap raw material, high physiochemical stability, and simple functionalization. This makes CQDs highly versatile and with potential for different applications. To date, CQDs-enabled photocatalysts are regarded as one of the most efficient technologies to degrade pollutants in water; however, poor activity under visible light and the recombination of photogenerated electron and hole pairs hinder getting an ideal performance that may be applied on a large scale. Conventional techniques have been modified via a new advanced method. In this review, we highlighted the strategies to improve the activity of conventional semiconductor photocatalysis via coupling with CQDs, and strategies to improve the photocatalytic activity such as functionalization, doping, and Z-scheme heterojunctions were discussed in detail. This review also covered the CQDs heterojunction application in pollutant degradation and discussed several examples with high-performance photocatalytic activity.

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is considered a potentially attractive candidate for the visible-light-driven photodegradation of organic pollutants. In an effort to enhance their photocatalytic activities, BiVO4 nanofibers with controlled microstructures, grain sizes, and crystallinities are successfully prepared by electrospinning followed by a precisely controlled heat treatment. The structural features, morphologies, and photo-absorption performances of the asprepared samples are systematically investigated and can be readily controlled by varying the calcination temperature. From the physicochemical analysis results of the synthesized nanofiber, it is found that the nanofiber calcines at a lower temperature, shows a smaller crystallite size, and lower crystallinity. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine-B (RhB) reveals that the photocatalytic activity of the BiVO4 nanofibers can be improved by a thermal treatment at a relatively low temperature because of the optimization of the conflicting characteristics, crystallinity, crystallite size, and microstructure. The photocatalytic activity of the nanofiber calcined at 350oC for the degradation of RhB under visible-light irradiation exhibits a greater photocatalytic activity than the nanofibers synthesized at 400oC and 450oC.

A facile one-pot wet chemical process to prepare pure anatase TiO2 hollow structures using ammonium hexafluorotitanate as a precursor is developed. By defining the formic acid ratio, we fabricate TiO2 hollow structures containing fluorine on the surface. The TiO2 hollow sphere is composed of an anatase phase containing fluorine by various analytical techniques. A possible formation mechanism for the obtained hollow samples by self-transformation and Ostwald ripening is proposed. The TiO2 hollow structures containing fluorine exhibits 1.2 - 2.7 times higher performance than their counterparts in photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 hollow structures is attributed to the combined effects of high crystallinity, specific surface area (62 m2g-1), and the advantage of surface fluorine ions (at 8%) having strong electron-withdrawing ability of the surface ≡ Ti-F groups reduces the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.

A heterogeneous photocatalytic system is attracting much interest for water and air purification because of its reusability and economical advantage. Electrospun nanofibers are also receiving immense attention for efficient photocatalysts due to their ultra-high specific surface areas and aspect ratios. In this study, ZnO nanofibers with average diameters of 71, 151 and 168 nm are successfully synthesized by facile electrospinning and a subsequent calcination process at 500 ℃ for 3 h. Their crystal structures, morphology features and optical properties are systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The photocatalytic activities of the ZnO nanofibers are evaluated by the photodegradation of a rhodamine B aqueous solution. The results reveal that the diameter of the nanofiber, controlled by changing the polymer content in the precursor solution, plays an important role in the photocatalytic activities of the synthesized ZnO nanofibers.

The coupling of two semiconducting materials is an efficient method to improve photocatalytic activity via the suppression of recombination of electron-hole pairs. In particular, the coupling between two different phases of TiO2, i.e., anatase and rutile, is particularly attractive for photocatalytic activity improvement of rutile TiO2 because these coupled TiO2 powders can retain the benefits of TiO2, one of the best photocatalysts. In this study, anatase TiO2 nanoparticles are synthesized and coupled on the surface of rutile TiO2 powders using a microemulsion method and heat treatment. Triton X-100, as a surfactant, is used to suppress the aggregation of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and disperse anatase TiO2 nanoparticles uniformly on the surface of rutile TiO2 powders. Rutile TiO2 powders coupled with anatase TiO2 nanoparticles are successfully prepared. Additionally, we compare the photocatalytic activity of these rutile-anatase coupled TiO2 powders under ultraviolet (UV) light and demonstrate that the reason for the improvement of photocatalytic activity is microstructural.

The formation mechanism and photocatalytic properties of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/TiO2- based nanotube (TNTs) composite are investigated. The CNT/TNT composite is synthesized via a solution chemical route. It is confirmed that this 1-D nanotube composite has a core-shell nanotubular structure, where the TNT surrounds the CNT core. The photocatalytic activity investigated based on the methylene blue degradation test is superior to that of with pure TNT. The CNTs play two important roles in enhancing the photocatalytic activity. One is to act as a template to form the core-shell structure while titanate nanosheets are converted into nanotubes. The other is to act as an electron reservoir that facilitates charge separation and electron transfer from the TNT, thus decreasing the electronhole recombination efficiency.

A TiO2/CNT nanohybrid photocatalyst is synthesized via sol-gel route, with titanium (IV) isopropoxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the starting materials. The microstructures and phase constitution of the nanohybrid TiO2/CNT (0.005wt%) samples after calcination at 450oC, 550oC and 650oC in air are compared with those of pure TiO2 using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of the nanohybrid is compared with that of pure TiO2 with regard to the degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The TiO2/CNT composite exhibits a fast grain growth and phase transformation during calcination. The nanocomposite shows enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation in comparison to pure TiO2 owing to not only better adsorption capability of CNT but also effective electron transfer between TiO2 and CNTs. However, the high calcination temperature of 650oC, regardless of addition of CNT, causes a decrease in photocatalytic activity because of grain growth and phase transformation to rutile. These results such as fast phase transformation to rutile and effective electron transfer are related to carbon doping into TiO2.

To synthesize a high-performance photocatalyst, N doped TiO2 nanotubes deposited with Ag nanoparticles were synthesized, and surface characteristics, electrochemical behaviors, and photocatalytic activity were investigated. The TiO2 nanotubular photocatalyst was fabricated by anodization; the Ag nanoparticles on the TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized by a reduction reaction in AgNO3 solution under UV irradiation. The XPS results of the N doped TiO2 nanotubes showed that the incorporated nitrogen ions were located in interstitial sites of the TiO2 crystal structure. The N doped titania nanotubes exhibited a high dye degradation rate, which is effectively attributable to the increase of visible light absorption due to interstitial nitrogen ions in the crystalline TiO2 structure. Moreover, the precipitated Ag particles on the titania nanotubes led to a decrease in the rate of electron-hole recombination; the photocurrent of this electrode was higher than that of the pure titania electrode. From electrochemical and dye degradation results, the photocurrent and photocatalytic efficiency were found to have been significantly affected by N doping and the deposition of Ag particles.

Synthesis of RGO (reduced graphene oxide)-CdS composite material was performed through CBD (chemical bath deposition) method in which graphene oxide served as the support and Cadmium Sulfate Hydrate as the starting material. Graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted extensive attention due to their usefulness for environmental and energy applications. The band gap (2.4 eV) of CdS corresponds well with the spectrum of sunlight because the crystalline phase, size, morphology, specic surface area and defects, etc., of CdS can affect its photocatalytic activity. The specific surface structure (morphology) of the photocatalyst can be effective for the suppression of recombination between photogenerated electrons and holes. Graphene (GN) has unique properties such as a high value of Young's modulus, large theoretical specific surface area, excellent thermal conductivity, high mobility of charge carriers, and good optical transmittance. These excellent properties make GN an ideal building block in nanocomposites. It can act as an excellent electron-acceptor/transport material. Therefore, the morphology, structural characterization and crystal structure were observed using various analytical tools, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. From this analysis, it is shown that CdS particles were well dispersed uniformly in the RGO sheet. Furthermore, the photocatalytic property of the resulting RGO-CdS composite is also discussed in relation to environmental applications such as the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. It was found that the prepared RGO-CdS nanocomposites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity as compared with that of CdS nanoparticles. Therefore, better efficiency of photodegradation was found for water purification applications using RGO-CdS composite.

To compare the photocatalytic performances of titania for purification of waste water according to applied voltages and doping, TiO2 films were prepared in a 1.0 M H2SO4 solution containing NH4F at different anodic voltages. Chemical bonding states of F-N-codoped TiO2 were analyzed using surface X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity of the co-doped TiO2 films was analyzed by the degradation of aniline blue solution. Nanotubes were formed with thicknesses of 200-300 nm for the films anodized at 30 V, but porous morphology was generated with pores of 1-2 μm for the TiO2 anodized at 180 V. The phenomenon of spark discharge was initiated at about 98 V due to the breakdown of the oxide films in both solutions. XPS analysis revealed the spectra of F1s at 684.3 eV and N1s at 399.8 eV for the TiO2 anodized in the H2SO4-NH4F solution at 180 V, suggesting the incorporation of F and N species during anodization. Dye removal rates for the pure TiO2 anodized at 30 V and 180 V were found to be 14.0% and 38.9%, respectively, in the photocatalytic degradation test of the aniline blue solution for 200 min irradiation; the rates for the F-N-codoped TiO2 anodized at 30 V and 180 V were found to be 21.2% and 65.6%, respectively. From the results of diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy (DRS), it was found that the absorption edge of the F-N-codoped TiO2 films shifted toward the visible light region up to 412 nm, indicating that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 is improved by appropriate doping of F and N by the addition of NH4F.

was successfully formed on a Ti specimen by MAO (Micro-Arc-Oxidation) method treated in electrolyte. This study deals with the influence of voltage and working time on the change of surface microstructure and phase composition. Voltage affected the forming rate of the oxidized layer and surface microstructure where, a low voltage led to a high surface roughness, more holes and a thin oxidized layer. On the other hand, a high voltage led to more dense surface structure, wider surface holes, a thick layer and fewer holes. Higher voltage increases photocatalytic activity because of better crystallization of the oxidized layer and good phase composition with anatase and rutile , which is able to effectively separate excited electrons and holes at the surface.

In this study, we used coal-based activated carbons and charcoal as startingmaterials, phenolic resin (PR) as a binder, and TOS as a titanium source to prepare TiO2 combining spherical shaped activated carbon photocatalysts. The textural properties of the activated carbon photocatalysts (SACP) were characterized by specific surface area (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), iodine adsorption, strength intensity, and pressure drop. The photocatalytic activities of the SACPs were characterized by degradation of the organic dyes Methylene Blue (MB), Methylene Orange (MO), and Rhodamine B (Rh. B) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) experiment. The surface properties are shown by SEM. The XRD patterns of the composites showed that the SACP composite contained a typical single, clear anatase phase. The EDX spectro for the elemental indentification showed the presence of C and O with Ti peaks. According to the results, the spherical activated carbon photocatalysts sample of AOP prepared with activated carbon formed the best spherical shape, a high BET surface area, iodine adsorption capability and strength value, and the lowest pressure drop, and the photocatalytic activity was better than samples prepared with charcoal. We compared the degradation effects among three kinds of dyes. MB solution degraded with the SACP is better than any other dye solutions.

A carbon doped (C-) photocatalyst, which shows good photocatalytic activity to Ultraviolet irradiation and visible irradiation, was successfully prepared by co-grinding of with ethanol or Activated Carbon(C), followed by heat treatment at in air for 60 min. Ethanol and C were used as a representative agent of liquid and solid for carbon doping. Their influence on improving photocatalytic ability and carbon doping degree was studied with degradation of methyl orange and XPS analysis. The product prepared by co-grinding of with Ethanol had Ti-C and C-O chemical bonds and showed higher photocatalytic activity than the product prepared by co-grinding of with C, where just C-O chemical bond existed. As a result, mechanochemical route is useful to prepare a carbon doped photocatalyst activating to visible irradiation, where the solid-liquid operation is more effective than solid-solid operation to obtain a carbon doped .

In this paper, Fe-TiO2 and Fe-fullerene/TiO2 composite photocatalysts were prepared with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB) by a sol-gel method. TiO2, Fe-TiO2 and Fe-fullerene/TiO2 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), specific surface area (BET), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue (MB) solution. XRD patterns of the composites showed that the photocatalyst composite contained a typical single and clear anatase phase. The surface properties shown by SEM presented a characterization of the texture on Fe-fullerene/TiO2 composites and showed a homogenous composition in the particles for the titanium sources used. The EDX spectra for the elemental identification showed the presence of O, C and Ti elements. Moreover, peaks of the Fe element were observed in the Fe-TiO2 and Fe-fullerene/TiO2 composites. The degradation of MB solution by UV-light irradiation in the presence of photocatalyst compounds was investigated in complete darkness. The degradation of MB concentration in aqueous solution occurred via three kinds of physical phenomena: quantum efficiency of the fullerene; organo-metallic reaction of the Fe compound; and decomposition of TiO2. The degradation rate of the methylene blue solution increased when using Fe-fullerene/TiO2 compounds.

Expanded graphite (EG) is synthesized by chemical intercalation of natural graphite (NG) and rapid expansion at high temperature, with titanium n-butoxide (TNB) used as titanium source by a sol-gel method to prepare EG-TiO2 composite. The performances of the prepared EG-TiO2 composite are characterized by BET surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). To compare the photocatalytic activities of the EG-TiO2 composite, three kinds of dye solutions, methylene blue (MB), methylene orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB), and two kinds of light source, UV light and visible light (VL), are used. Comparing the results, it can be clearly seen that the degradation of all of the dye solutions under irradiation by UV light is much better than that under irradiation by visible light, and the decomposition of MB solution was better than that of both of MO and RhB solution.

Multi-elements doped TiO2 was prepared as a new photocatalyst in order to decrease the band gap of TiO2 by sol-gel process which can provide the large active sites of TiO2. Multi-elements were doped by using a single precursor, tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEATFB). By the benefit of large specific surface area of TiO2 prepared by sol-gel process, catalysts showed initial fast removal of dye. The photoactivity showed that the doped catalysts significantly promote the light reactivity than undoped TiO2. The commendable photoactivity of prepared catalysts is predominantly attributable to the doping of anions which may reduce the band gap.

A visible-light photoactive photocatalyst was synthesized successfully by means of cogrinding of anatase- in ambient, followed by heat-treatment at in air environment. In general, it is well known that the grinding-operation induces phase transformation of a- to rutile . This study investigates the influence of the amount of gas on the phase transformation rate of a- and enhancement of visible-light photocatalytic activity, and also examines the relation between the photocatalytic activity and the period of grinding time. The phase transformation rate of a- to rutile is retarded with the amount of NH3 injected. And the visible-light photocatalytic activity of samples, was more closely related to the period of grinding time than amount injected, which means that the doping amount of nitrogen into more effective to mechanical energy than amount injected. XRD, XPS, FT-IR, UV-vis, Specific surface area (SSA), NOx decomposition techniques are employed to verify above results more clearly.

Nano-sized TiO2-60 wt% SrO composite powders were synthesized by a sol-gel method using titanium isopropoxide and Sr(OH)2 · 8H2O as precursors. 3, -5, -7 wt%Ag spot-coated TiO2-60 wt% SrO composite powders were synthesized by a Ag electroless deposition method using TiO2-60 wt% SrO composite powders calcined at 1050˚C, which mainly exhibited the SrTiO3phase. However, a small number of rutile TiO2, Sr2TiO4 and SrO2 phases were also detected. In the Ag spot-coated powders synthesized by electroless deposition, nano-sized particles about 5-25 nm in diameter adhered to the TiO2-60 wt% SrO composite powders. The photocatalytic activity of Ag spot-coated TiO2-SrO and TiO2-SrO composite powders for degradation of phenol showed that all of TiO2-SrO composite powders were highly active under UV light irradiation. 7 wt%Ag spot-coated TiO2-60wt.%SrO composite powders had a relatively higher photocatalytic activity than did TiO2-SrO composite powders under visible light.

In this work, activated carbon (AC) after HNO3 modification was used as the support during the production of supported TiO2 to increase the high deposition efficiency and the photocatalytic activity. The results of N2 adsorption showed that the BET surface area of samples decreased with an increasing of the concentration of HNO3 due to the penetration of TiO2. From XRD data, a single crystal structure of anatase peak was observed in diffraction patterns for the AC coated with titanium complexes. From the SEM results, almost all particles were aggregated with each other at the carbon surface and AC was covered with TiO2 particles in all of the samples. The EDX spectra show the presence of C, O, Ti and other elements. It was also observed a decreasing of amount of C content with increasing Ti and O content from the EDX. The results of FT-IR revealed that the modified AC contained more surface oxygen bearing groups than that of the original AC. The effect of surface acidity and basity calculated from Boehm titration method was also evaluated from correlations as a function of NaOH, NaHCO3, and Na2CO3 uptake. The surface modification of AC by HNO3 leads to an increase in the catalytic efficiency of AC/TiO2 catalysts, and the catalytic efficiency increases with increasing of HNO3 concentration.