New cover page

  • 1 September 2023

Our recent paper, submitted to J. Phys. Chem. C, has been chosen by the editors for feature on the cover page. The manuscript, titled “Spectroscopic and Spectroelectrochemical Studies on the Redox Properties of Zinc Sulfide and Their Impact on Photocatalytic Activity,” focuses on the analysis of the electronic structure using emission and absorption UV–vis spectroscopy, along with diffuse reflectance spectroelectrochemistry (SE-DRS).

The study is centred on zinc sulfide (ZnS), a well-known photocatalyst with strong reducing properties and efficient visible light photoluminescence. Our research confirms the presence of deep electronic states within ZnS, including surface states, which significantly affect its reduction abilities. We also propose models for the electronic structures associated with potential photophysical processes, both for sulfur-rich and sulfur-deficient materials.

Remarkably, our proposed models suggest that the energy of photogenerated electrons is significantly lower than what is typically considered based on the conduction band edge level. However, our photocatalytic tests demonstrate that these electrons possess sufficient potential to drive hydrogen evolution and CO2 reduction processes

New manuscript

  • 20 August 2023

Our new paper, submitted to ACS Appl. Eng. Mater., has been selected by the editors to be featured on the cover page. The manuscript, entitled ‘Cobalt-/Copper-Containing Perovskites in Oxygen Evolution and Reduction Reactions,’ discusses the electronic properties of perovskite oxides as bifunctional catalysts that play a significant role in their activity in oxygen evolution and reduction reactions. These properties can be easily tuned by adsorbed molecules on the surface, primarily shifting the Fermi levels to lower energies, thus enhancing their catalytic activity.

New publication

  • 25 March 2021

Our new paper submitted to The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters has been selected by the Editors to be announced on the cover page. The paper entitled “Combined Spectroscopic Methods of Determination of Density of Electronic States: Comparative Analysis of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroelectrochemistry and Reversed Double-Beam Photoacoustic Spectroscopy” (M. Kobielusz, B Nitta, A., Ohtani, W Macyk; J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2021, 12,  3019–3025) show how complementary information on the density of electronic states of photocatalysts can be gathered using diffuse reflectance spectroelectrochemistry (SE-DRS) and reversed double-beam photoacoustic spectroscopy (RDB-PAS). The comparative analysis shows that both methods provide valuable information which can be used in understanding and predicting the photo(electro)catalytic activity of semiconductors.

New publication

  • 24 July 2014

Our new paper submitted to Dalton Transactions has been selected by the Editors to be announced at the first cover page. The paper entitled “UV and visible light active aqueous titanium dioxide colloids stabilized by surfactants” (Michał Pacia, Piotr Warszyński, Wojciech Macyk; Dalton Trans. 2014, 43, 12480-12485) describes the synthesis and activity of photosensitized titanium dioxides nanoparticles stabilized by micelles formed in the presence of TWEEN® 80 surfactant. The micelles are stable in water at pH = 7, while their structure and size depend on the surface modification of TiO2. The activity towards reactive oxygen species generation induced by visible light, stability at neutral pH in the form of transparent colloids and simple preparation are very promising features of the developed systems.

New publication

  • 10 May 2014

Our newest paper, entitled “Photocatalytic carboxylation of organic substrates with carbon dioxide at zinc sulfide with deposited ruthenium nanoparticles”, has been published in ChemPlusChem(Tomasz Baran, Angela Dibenedetto, Michele Aresta, Krzysztof Kruczała, Wojciech Macyk,ChemPlusChem 2014, 79, 708-715). It describes a photocatalytic synthesis of carboxylic acids using CO2 and acetylacetone as substrates in the presence of ZnS-based photocatalysts with deposited ruthenium(0) nanoparticles. The paper has been published in the Early Career Series, the program of ChemPlusChem journal presenting original papers of young scientists nominated by the Editorial Board. Presented studies have been done in cooperation with the group from Bari.

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