Paineau Erwan, Teobaldi Gilberto, Jiménez-Calvo Pablo
CNRS Laboratoire de Physique des Solides Université Paris-Saclay Orsay 91405 France.
Scientific Computing Department STFC UKRI Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Campus Didcot OX11 0QX UK.
Glob Chall. 2023 Dec 20;8(6):2300255. doi: 10.1002/gch2.202300255. eCollection 2024 Jun.
To date, imogolite nanotubes (INTs) have been primarily used for environmental applications such as dye and pollutant degradation. However, imogolite's well-defined porous structure and distinctive electro-optical properties have prompted interest in the system's potential for energy-relevant chemical reactions. The imogolite structure leads to a permanent intrawall polarization arising from the presence of bifunctional surfaces at the inner and outer tube walls. Density functional theory simulations suggest such bifunctionality to encompass also spatially separated band edges. Altogether, these elements make INTs appealing candidates for facilitating chemical conversion reactions. Despite their potential, the exploitation of imogolite's features for photocatalysis is at its infancy, thence relatively unexplored. This perspective overviews the basic physical-chemical and optoelectronical properties of imogolite nanotubes, emphasizing their role as wide bandgap insulator. Imogolite nanotubes have multifaceted properties that could lead to beneficial outcomes in energy-related applications. This work illustrates two case studies demonstrating a step-forward on photocatalytic hydrogen production achieved through atomic doping or metal co-catalyst. INTs exhibit potential in energy conversion and storage, due to their ability to accommodate functions such as enhancing charge separation and influencing the chemical potentials of interacting species. Yet, tapping into potential for energy-relevant application needs further experimental research, computational, and theoretical analysis.
迄今为止，伊莫戈石纳米管（INTs）主要用于环境应用，如染料和污染物降解。然而，伊莫戈石明确的多孔结构和独特的电光性质引发了人们对该体系在与能源相关的化学反应中潜力的兴趣。伊莫戈石结构导致由于内外管壁存在双功能表面而产生永久的壁内极化。密度泛函理论模拟表明，这种双功能性还包括空间上分离的能带边缘。总之，这些因素使INTs成为促进化学转化反应的有吸引力的候选材料。尽管它们具有潜力，但利用伊莫戈石的特性进行光催化仍处于起步阶段，因此相对未被探索。这篇综述概述了伊莫戈石纳米管的基本物理化学和光电性质，强调了它们作为宽带隙绝缘体的作用。伊莫戈石纳米管具有多方面的性质，这可能会在与能源相关的应用中产生有益的结果。这项工作展示了两个案例研究，展示了通过原子掺杂或金属助催化剂在光催化制氢方面取得的进展。由于INTs能够实现增强电荷分离和影响相互作用物种的化学势等功能，因此它们在能量转换和存储方面具有潜力。然而，挖掘其在与能源相关应用中的潜力还需要进一步的实验研究、计算和理论分析。
