Tri-Functional Aerogel Photocatalyst with an S-Scheme Heterojunction for the Efficient Removal of Dyes and Antibiotic and Hydrogen Generation
Abstract
A novel three-dimensional (3D) S-scheme S-gC 3 N 4/TiO 2/SiO 2/PAN aerogel heterojunction photocatalyst (denoted as S-gTAHP) is rationally devised and manufactured by combining electrospinning, calcination, hydrothermal and freeze-drying techniques. The synthesized S-gC 3 N 4 molecule is different from traditional g-C 3 N 4, which has a small molecular structure similar to melamine. S-gC 3 N 4 is embedded in the interwoven network structure of TiO 2/PAN short fibers, and the catalytic system of the S-scheme heterojunction is formed with SiO 2 as a crosslinking agent. S-gTAHP achieves perfect tri-functional photocatalytic capability, including remarkable hydrogen release capacity (806.7 μmol∙h-1∙g-1), efficient removal of three colored dyes with removal efficiencies up to 99.43% (MB, 15 min), 96.13% (RhB, 30 min) and 91.32% (MO, 40 min), and a degradation rate of the colorless antibiotic TCH reaching 84.20% in 40 min driven by simulated sunlight. Meanwhile, the effects of pH values and concentrations of contaminant solutions on the removal rates are explored, and the S-scheme mechanism of S-gTAHP strengthening photocatalytic activity is elucidated. The apparently heightened photocatalytic activities of S-gTAHP can be ascribed to the fact that the 3D hierarchical porous structure of the aerogel endows more active centers and enhanced light-harvesting capacity, and the S-scheme heterojunction supplies effective charge migrating channels, thereby affording the carriers with strong redox capability. Furthermore, S-gTAHP holds prominent reusability and is light weight. Hence, efficient and recyclable 3D aerogel photocatalysts with S-scheme heterojunctions have broad application prospects in practical sewage treatment and energy conversion fields.
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Metal/oxide doping dopants like TiO2, Fe, Co, and MoS2 can increase catalytic activity and enable charge separation.
“Metal/oxide doping dopants, like TiO2 [77], Fe [78], Co [79], and MoS2 [80], can increase catalytic activity and enable charge separation.”
From Silica Aerogels as a Promising Vehicle for Effective Water Splitting for Hydrogen Production (2025) · cites this paper as [77]
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Silica Aerogels as a Promising Vehicle for Effective Water Splitting for Hydrogen Production
Vadanagekar, A., Lapcik, L., Kvitek, L., & Lapcikova, B. (2025) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules30061212 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Sun, F., Xu, D., Xie, Y., Liu, F., Wang, W., Shao, H., Ma, Q., Yu, H., Yu, W., & Dong, X.
- Affiliations
- Changchun University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Dong, Xiangting
- Venue
- Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-12
- Volume
- 628
- Issue
- Pt B
- Pages
- 614-626
- ISSN
- 0021-9797 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4292136392
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 1.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (52173155)
- Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2021jcyj-msxmX1076, cstc2021jcyj-msxmX0798)
- Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province (YDZJ202101ZYTS130, YDZJ202101ZYTS059)
- Natural Science Foundation Project of Chongqing
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Advanced oxidation water treatment
- Keywords
- S-scheme heterojunction, g-C3N4, titanium dioxide, dye degradation, methylene blue, rhodamine B, methyl orange, antibiotic removal, tetracycline hydrochloride, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, hierarchical porous structure, charge separation, photocatalyst reusability, wastewater treatment
- MeSH terms
- Anti-Bacterial Agents, Coloring Agents, Hydrogen, Sewage, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium
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