Progress in preparation and application of photoelectrocatalytic mineral materials

Abstract

Photoelectrocatalytic technology is one of the most promising methods to solve the problems of environmental pollution and energy shortage.Based on the photoelectrochemical properties of semiconductor minerals or the natural physical characteristics of non-semiconductor minerals, the photoelectrocatalytic mineral materials were constructed by compositing mineral with photoelectrocatalytic functional body, with the characteristics of low cost, good environmental compatibility and excellent property, which have received wide attention in the new field of mineral utilization. On the basis of limiting whether the research of photoelectrocatalytic mineral materials belong to the scope of mineral application, the mineral components and characteristics of the photoelectrocatalytic mineral materials were introduced, their classification, preparation methods, as well as the enhanced mechanism of catalytic activity by minerals were discussed. Finally, the research status of photoelectrocatalytic mineral materials used in the treatment of wastewater, hydrogen evolution by photoelectrocatalysis water splitting, CO2 energy utilization were summarized. It is pointed out that attention should be paid to the intrinsic photoelectric properties of minerals, the establishment of the relationship between material composite structures and efficiency, and the clarification of the mechanism by which material mineralogical properties affect photocatalysis. The application research of photocatalysis mineral materials in new energy, chemical synthesis, and mineral/microbial interactions should be expanded.

Keywords

• photoelectrocatalytic mineral materials
• mineral component
• water treatment
• hydrogen production by water splitting
• co2 energy utilization