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Contribution of multiple reflections to light utilization efficiency of submicron hollow TiO2 photocatalyst

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Abstract

In this work, we carried out both theoretical calculation and experimental studies to reveal the contribution of hollow geometry to the light utilization efficiency of the TiO2 photocatalysts in diluted aqueous solution. It is found that the single or multi-shelled hollow structures do not induce significant multiple reflections within the shells as widely believed in previous reports, and therefore the geometric factor has minimal contribution to the improvement of the light utilization efficiency of the photocatalyst. To design TiO2 photocatalysts with higher activity, it is more appropriate to focus on the improvement of the crystallinity, diffusion, surface area, and dispersity of the catalysts, rather than their geometric shapes.

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Acknowledgments

Yin Y is grateful for the support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, & Biosciences (CSGB) Division (DE-SC0002247). Liu Hacknowledges the support fromthe National Natural Science Foundation of China (21501081, 21571089, and 21401091) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the CentralUniversities (SWU116010 and lzujbky-2015-19).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Hongyan Liu

  2. Department of Chemistry and UCR Center for Catalysis, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Hongyan Liu, Hua Ma, Jibong Joo & Yadong Yin

  3. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Hongyan Liu

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-Ro, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jibong Joo

Authors
  1. Hongyan Liu
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  2. Hua Ma
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  3. Jibong Joo
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  4. Yadong Yin
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hongyan Liu or Yadong Yin.

Additional information

Hongyan Liu is an associate professor at the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University. Her research is focused on the synthesis of nanostructures and their applications in photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical biosensors.

Yadong Yin is a professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside. His research is focused on the synthesis and application of nanostructured materials, self-assembly processes, and colloidal and interface chemistry.

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Liu, H., Ma, H., Joo, J. et al. Contribution of multiple reflections to light utilization efficiency of submicron hollow TiO2 photocatalyst. Sci. China Mater. 59, 1017–1026 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-016-5127-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-016-5127-7

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