Biomass-Derived Carbon for Boosting Photocatalysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Carbon materials are crucial for enhancing photocatalysis by trapping photoinduced electrons.
• Biomass-derived carbon (BDC) offers a sustainable and affordable alternative for fabricating efficient photocatalysts.
• The diverse nature of biomass necessitates tailored strategies for BDC synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review synthesis methodologies for biomass-derived carbon (BDC)-based photocatalysts.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of BDC material design, preparation, and application in photocatalysis.
• To stimulate future development of highly active BDC photocatalysts.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of synthesis strategies into bottom-up and top-down methods.
• Bottom-up approach: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of hydrosoluble carbohydrates for composites and derived photocatalysts.
• Top-down approach: Fabrication of biochar-based photocatalysts from natural biomass precursors.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of designing principles, preparation techniques, and structural characteristics of BDC-based materials.
• Exploration of photocatalytic applications and mechanisms of various BDC-based photocatalysts.
• Synthesis strategies significantly influence BDC morphology, composition, and performance.

Conclusions:

• BDC is a promising material for developing highly active and scalable photocatalysts.
• Both bottom-up and top-down synthesis methods offer distinct advantages for BDC-based photocatalyst preparation.
• Further research into BDC design and synthesis will drive advancements in practical photocatalytic applications.