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Glass bubbles, also known as hollow glass microspheres (HGMs), have been increasingly explored for photocatalytic applications due to their lightweight structure, high surface area, and ability to act as carriers for photocatalytic materials. Enhancing their visible-light photocatalytic performance involves surface modifications, composite fabrication, and doping strategies to improve their efficiency in pollutant degradation and environmental remediation.

Strategies to Enhance Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

1. Surface Functionalization & Coating

  • 🔹 TiO₂-Coated Glass Bubble – Coating with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) improves photocatalytic activity but requires bandgap modification to be efficient under visible light.
  • 🔹 ZrO₂ & CeO₂ Coatings – Zirconia (ZrO₂) and ceria (CeO₂) improve stability and light absorption, enhancing photocatalytic efficiency.

2. Doping with Metal & Non-Metal Elements

  • 🔹 Metal Doping (Fe, Ag, Cu, Au, etc.) – Enhances charge carrier separation and extends light absorption into the visible range.
  • 🔹 Non-Metal Doping (N, C, S, B, etc.) – Introduces localized states within the bandgap of TiO₂ to boost visible-light response.

3. Composite Formation with Semiconductor Materials

  • 🔹 Glass Bubble-TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ Hybrid – A graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) layer on TiO₂-coated glass bubbles enhances visible-light absorption and charge transfer.
  • 🔹 ZnO/Glass Bubble Nanocomposites – Zinc oxide (ZnO) improves photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants when deposited on glass bubbles.

4. Plasmonic Enhancement with Noble Metals

  • 🔹 Au or Ag Nanoparticles on Glass Bubble – Plasmonic nanoparticles enhance light absorption and hot electron generation, improving photocatalysis.
  • 🔹 Core-Shell Structures – Using SiO₂-TiO₂-Au hybrid layers enhances optical response and stability.

5. Synergistic Effects with Carbon-Based Materials

  • 🔹 Graphene Oxide (GO)/Glass Bubble – Enhances charge separation efficiency and increases reaction sites for photocatalysis.
  • 🔹 Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) Coating – Acts as a visible-light sensitizer and improves electron transport.

Applications of Enhanced Photocatalytic Glass Bubbles

✅ Environmental Remediation – Degradation of organic pollutants (dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals) in water and air.

✅ Self-Cleaning Surfaces – Anti-fog and anti-fouling coatings for windows, solar panels, and buildings.

✅ Water Purification & Disinfection – Effective for breaking down contaminants in wastewater treatment.

✅ Hydrogen Production via Water Splitting – Facilitates photocatalytic hydrogen generation under visible light.

This entry was posted by admin on March 20, 2025 at 7:14 am under glass bubble. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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