An experimental apparatus and method for enhancing photothermal catalytic performance based on an external permanent magnetic field.

Abstract

This invention discloses an experimental apparatus and method for enhancing photothermal catalytic performance based on an external permanent magnetic field, belonging to the field of new energy technology. The experimental apparatus includes a reactor body, with a simulated light source positioned above one side of the reactor body. A catalyst bed is disposed inside the reactor body, and two permanent magnets are arranged parallel to each other on the inner sidewall of the reactor body, with opposite poles facing each other. This experimental apparatus enhances photothermal catalytic performance by applying an external permanent magnetic field, effectively utilizing the full spectrum of solar energy and controlling the behavior of electron-hole pairs through the magnetic field, thereby significantly improving photothermal catalytic efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of new energy, and particularly relates to an experimental device and method for enhancing the photo-thermal catalytic performance based on an applied permanent magnetic field. BACKGROUND

[0002] Photo-thermal catalysis is an advanced technology that utilizes both light and heat energy to drive catalytic reactions. Compared to traditional photocatalysis, photo-thermal catalysis has the potential to address the slow reaction rate issue, thus exhibiting broad application potential in fields such as water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, pollutant degradation, and C1 molecule conversion.

[0003] In a photo-thermal catalytic reaction system, under the irradiation of incident light, electrons in the semiconductor material are excited from the valence band to the conduction band, generating electron-hole pairs (collectively referred to as charge carriers). These charge carriers then migrate to active sites on the surface of the catalyst and participate in redox reactions. Traditional photocatalysis can typically only utilize photon energy in the ultraviolet and part of the visible light spectrum, failing to effectively utilize the energy in the remaining spectrum. In contrast, photo-thermal catalysis not only utilizes these photon energies, but also converts the unabsorbed photon energy into heat energy. This heat energy not only helps to increase the temperature of the reaction system, but also further promotes the migration of charge carriers, enhancing catalytic activity and accelerating the progress of chemical reactions.

[0004] However, despite the significant advantages of photo-thermal catalysis in improving reaction rates, it still faces similar challenges as traditional photocatalysis, namely the problem of charge carrier recombination. Charge carrier recombination refers to the mutual combination of electrons and holes before they reach the catalytically active sites, preventing their energy from being effectively utilized to drive the catalytic reaction. Due to the high intensity of charge carrier recombination, the overall performance of photo-thermal catalysis is significantly constrained, affecting its effectiveness in practical applications.

[0005] An applied magnetic field can effectively suppress the recombination of charge carriers. According to the Lorentz force law, a charged particle moving in a magnetic field will experience a Lorentz force perpendicular to its direction of motion. In a photo-thermal catalytic system, an applied magnetic field can exert forces on electrons and holes in opposite directions, slowing down or inhibiting their recombination process. This not only effectively prolongs the lifetime of charge carriers, but also enhances their migration ability, allowing more charge carriers to reach the active sites and participate in the catalytic reaction.

[0006] However, the role of magnetic fields in photo-thermal catalytic reactions is still in the exploratory stage, and mature experimental devices and system designs have not yet been developed.

[0007] For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN106268569A discloses a photothermal-magnetic coupling hydrogen production experimental device based on magnetic particles. This invention uses a DC electromagnetic coil as a magnetic field generator, which allows the photocatalyst to be uniformly suspended in the solution. Furthermore, under the influence of the magnetic field, the photocatalyst generates a considerable temperature effect under infrared light, achieving photothermal-magnetic coupling hydrogen production. However, the magnetic field generator in this device requires electrical power to maintain, and the additional power consumption reduces the overall efficiency of water splitting for hydrogen production. More importantly, the direction of the magnetic field in this experimental device is constantly changing, failing to regulate the dynamic characteristics of photoexcited charge carriers, and this technical solution is limited to magnetic semiconductor catalysts.

[0008] In summary, a key technical challenge facing photothermal catalysis is effectively suppressing carrier recombination (i.e., electron-hole recombination) to improve the overall performance and reaction efficiency of photothermal catalysis. This challenge requires the development of new strategies or methods to reduce carrier recombination before migrating to the catalytically active site, thereby ensuring that more energy can be used to drive the catalytic reaction and ultimately improve the practical efficiency of the photothermal catalytic system. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide an experimental device and method for enhancing photothermal catalytic performance based on an external permanent magnetic field. This experimental device is a general experimental device that is not limited to magnetic semiconductor catalysts. By using an external permanent magnetic field to enhance photothermal catalytic performance, it can not only effectively utilize the full spectrum of solar energy, but also regulate the behavior of electron-hole pairs through the magnetic field, thereby significantly improving the photothermal catalytic efficiency.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution:

[0011] This invention provides an experimental device for enhancing photothermal catalytic performance based on an external permanent magnetic field, comprising a reactor body, a simulated light source disposed above one side of the reactor body, a catalyst bed disposed inside the reactor body, and two permanent magnets disposed parallel to each other on the inner sidewall of the reactor body, the two permanent magnets having opposite poles.

[0012] In one embodiment, the catalyst powder in the catalyst bed is a non-magnetic catalyst powder or a paramagnetic catalyst powder.

[0013] In one embodiment, the catalyst powder in the catalyst bed is any one of TiO2, ZnFe2O4, and TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 composite material.

[0014] In one embodiment, the catalyst bed is located within the magnetic field range formed by the permanent magnet.

[0015] In one embodiment, the simulated light source is provided with a focusing lens.

[0016] In one embodiment, a viewing window is provided on the top of the reactor body.

[0017] In one embodiment, a sealing component is provided on the top of the reactor body, the sealing component including a fixed connection component and a graphite gasket;

[0018] The graphite gasket is positioned below the viewing window, and the reactor body is connected to the viewing window via a fixed connection component.

[0019] In one embodiment, a heating system is provided at the bottom of the reactor body, and the heating system is located below the catalyst bed.

[0020] In one embodiment, a quartz sand core is disposed below the catalyst bed, and the quartz sand core is in contact with the heating system.

[0021] This invention also provides an experimental method for an experimental device based on an external permanent magnetic field to enhance photothermal catalytic performance, comprising the following steps:

[0022] S1: After CO2 and H2O reach adsorption equilibrium on the surface of the catalyst bed, the simulated light source is turned on to illuminate the catalyst bed.

[0023] S2: Under illumination, two parallel permanent magnets with opposite poles apply a magnetic field to the catalyst bed to conduct the experiment.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] This invention proposes an experimental device for enhancing photothermal catalytic performance based on an external permanent magnetic field, introducing a permanent magnetic field into the photothermal catalytic system. A parallel magnetic field is applied to the photothermal catalytic system using two parallel permanent magnets placed with opposite poles, achieving high efficiency in the catalytic reaction without requiring additional power consumption. By organically combining photothermal catalysis with an external permanent magnetic field, the utilization efficiency of light and heat energy is significantly enhanced, thereby improving the overall performance and economic benefits of the catalytic reaction. This device effectively suppresses the recombination of charge carriers (electrons and holes) using an external permanent magnetic field, extending the carrier lifetime and enhancing their migration ability. This design overcomes the inefficiency caused by carrier recombination in traditional photocatalytic reactions, thus significantly accelerating the chemical reaction, particularly demonstrating superior performance in key reactions such as water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. In summary, by introducing a permanent magnetic field, this invention significantly improves the catalytic performance of the catalyst, and by employing a permanent magnet technology that requires no additional energy supply, it further reduces the system's energy consumption and maintenance costs, ensuring the economic benefits of the catalytic reaction. This invention enhances photothermal catalysis performance by combining an external permanent magnetic field with photothermal catalysis, and has broad application prospects and sustainable development potential. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the experimental device for enhancing photothermal catalytic performance based on an external permanent magnetic field, according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 The 150mW / cm of this invention 2 Catalytic performance of TiO2 under light irradiation conditions with and without a magnetic field;

[0028] Figure 3 The 150mW / cm of this invention 2 Catalytic performance of ZnFe2O4 under light irradiation conditions with and without a magnetic field;

[0029] Figure 4 The 150mW / cm of this invention 2 Catalytic performance of TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 under light irradiation conditions with and without a magnetic field.

[0030] Among them: 1-simulated light source; 2-focusing lens; 3-bolt; 4-quartz glass window; 5-graphite gasket; 6-first neodymium iron boron permanent magnet; 7-second neodymium iron boron permanent magnet; 8-catalyst bed; 9-quartz sand core; 10-heating plate. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0033] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0034] This invention provides an experimental device for enhancing photothermal catalysis performance based on an external permanent magnetic field. The device mainly includes a reactor body, a simulated light source 1 positioned above one side of the reactor body, a built-in catalyst bed 8 inside the reactor body, and two parallel, oppositely positioned permanent magnets on the inner side walls of the reactor body. This device organically combines photothermal catalysis technology with permanent magnetic field technology. By applying a parallel magnetic field within the photothermal catalytic reaction region using parallel, oppositely positioned permanent magnets, it effectively suppresses the recombination of charge carriers (electrons and holes), extends the lifetime of charge carriers, and enhances their migration ability, achieving a highly efficient catalytic reaction without additional power consumption. This system significantly improves the utilization efficiency of light and heat energy, enhancing the overall performance and economic benefits of the catalytic reaction.

[0035] This invention also provides an experimental method for an experimental device based on an external permanent magnetic field to enhance photothermal catalytic performance, comprising the following steps:

[0036] S1: After CO2 and H2O reach adsorption equilibrium on the surface of catalyst bed 8, simulated light source 1 is turned on to illuminate catalyst bed 8.

[0037] S2: Under illumination, two parallel permanent magnets with opposite poles apply a magnetic field to the catalyst bed 8 to conduct the experiment.

[0038] The experimental method described above, through the application of an external permanent magnetic field, utilizes its unique physical effects, such as the Lorentz force, to directly act on the charge carriers (electrons and holes) in the photocatalyst. This force effectively suppresses the recombination of charge carriers in the early stages of generation, allowing more electrons and holes to participate in subsequent catalytic reactions. Specifically, the magnetic field can promote the spatial separation of electrons and holes, reducing their chances of meeting and recombination, thereby improving the carrier separation efficiency.

[0039] In a specific implementation, the catalyst powder in catalyst bed 8 is either non-magnetic or paramagnetic. More specifically, the catalyst powder in catalyst bed 8 is any one of TiO2, ZnFe2O4, and TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 composite materials. The catalyst bed 8 uses non-magnetic or paramagnetic catalyst powders such as TiO2, ZnFe2O4, TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 composite materials, BaTiO3, ZnO, CdS, BiOCl, etc. These materials are not directly affected by a magnetic field, but can effectively utilize the photothermal effect that the applied magnetic field may bring to enhance catalytic efficiency.

[0040] In one specific implementation, the catalyst bed 8 is located within the magnetic field range formed by the permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are preferably neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets, including a first NdFeB permanent magnet 6 and a second NdFeB permanent magnet. The permanent magnets, such as the NdFeB permanent magnets, are arranged with opposite poles facing each other to form a stable magnetic field environment, ensuring that the catalyst bed 8 is completely within the magnetic field range. This configuration helps optimize the magnetic field distribution and further improves the photothermal catalytic performance.

[0041] In one specific implementation process, a focusing lens 2 is provided on the simulated light source 1. The simulated light source 1 equipped with the focusing lens 2 can effectively concentrate the light source energy, improve the light utilization efficiency, make the light intensity received by the catalyst bed 8 more uniform and stronger, and promote the catalytic reaction rate.

[0042] In one specific implementation, a viewing window is provided on the top of the reactor body. A sealing component is also provided on the top of the reactor body, comprising a fixing connection component and a graphite gasket 5. The graphite gasket 5 is positioned below the viewing window, and the reactor body is connected to the viewing window via the fixing connection component. Specifically, the fixing connection component is a bolt 3, and the viewing window is a quartz glass window 4. The viewing window, such as the quartz glass window 4, on the top of the reactor body facilitates observation of the state changes of the catalyst bed 8 during the experiment. Simultaneously, the sealing component consisting of bolts 3 and graphite gasket 5 ensures the airtightness of the reaction system, prevents external contamination and internal gas leakage, and guarantees the accuracy of the experimental results.

[0043] In one specific implementation, a heating system is installed at the bottom of the reactor body, below the catalyst bed 8. The heating system is preferably a heating plate 10. A quartz sand core 9 is placed below the catalyst bed 8, and the quartz sand core 9 is in contact with the heating system. The bottom heating system, such as the design of the heating plate 10 combined with the quartz sand core 9, can uniformly heat the catalyst bed 8, improve the accuracy of reaction temperature control, and promote the catalytic reaction. Simultaneously, the quartz sand core 9, as a heat transfer medium, has good high-temperature resistance and chemical stability, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the heating process.

[0044] In one embodiment, an experimental device for enhancing photothermal catalysis performance based on an external permanent magnetic field is provided. This device organically combines photothermal catalysis technology with permanent magnetic field technology, utilizing parallel neodymium iron boron permanent magnets to apply a parallel magnetic field within the photothermal catalytic reaction region, achieving a highly efficient catalytic reaction without additional power consumption. This system significantly improves the utilization efficiency of light and heat energy, enhancing the overall performance and economic benefits of the catalytic reaction.

[0045] The experimental setup mainly consists of the following key components: 1. Simulated light source; 2. Condensing lens; 3. Bolts; 4. Quartz glass window; 5. Graphite gasket; 6. First NdFeB permanent magnet; 7. Second NdFeB permanent magnet; 8. Catalyst bed; 9. Quartz sand core; and 10. Heating plate. Figure 1 As shown.

[0046] Simulated Light Source 1: Equipped with a full-spectrum reflector, this simulates sunlight to recreate the photothermal catalytic reaction conditions under natural conditions. The light source provides full-spectrum illumination, including ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, ensuring that the catalyst can fully absorb the required light energy during the experiment.

[0047] Condensing lens 2: can be installed on the simulated light source 1 to adjust the light intensity, thereby increasing the photon energy density reaching the catalyst surface and enhancing the photothermal catalytic reaction effect.

[0048] Reactor Body and Sealing Structure: The reactor body is made of stainless steel. A quartz glass window 4 is mounted on the top of the reactor body for light transmission and internal visibility. A graphite gasket 5 is located below the quartz glass window 4 to ensure the reactor's airtightness and prevent external gas ingress or reaction gas leakage. Furthermore, to further enhance sealing performance, the reactor is secured with bolts 3, thereby ensuring the safety and stability of the reaction process.

[0049] The first NdFeB permanent magnet 6 and the second NdFeB permanent magnet 7: Two NdFeB permanent magnets are placed parallel to each other on both sides of the reactor, generating a parallel magnetic field. The first NdFeB permanent magnet 6 and the second NdFeB permanent magnet 7 have opposite poles facing each other, which is used to suppress carrier recombination and prolong their lifetime, thereby improving the catalytic reaction efficiency. The magnetic field strength can be controlled by adjusting the size of the permanent magnets.

[0050] Catalyst bed 8 and heating system: Catalyst bed 8 is supported by quartz sand core 9 and covered with catalyst powder. Quartz sand core 9 is in close contact with heating plate 10, which is used to regulate the working temperature of the catalyst to ensure that the reaction can be carried out under optimal temperature conditions and only operates when the temperature is insufficient.

[0051] The experimental operation steps of this experimental setup are as follows:

[0052] First, weigh 20 mg of catalyst powder and spread it evenly on the quartz sand core 9. Place the quartz sand core 9 with the catalyst on the heating plate 10 inside the reactor body, ensuring that the catalyst is in full contact with the heating plate 10.

[0053] To avoid direct contact between the catalyst and water, a proton source was provided by uniformly injecting 100 μL of ultrapure water (resistivity 18.2 MΩ·cm) into the bottom of the reactor. Next, the pressure inside the reactor was evacuated to 10⁻³ Pa, and high-purity CO₂ (99.999%) was introduced. The pressure inside the reactor was monitored using a mechanical pressure gauge. To remove residual impurity gases, the evacuation process was repeated three times, ultimately stabilizing the CO₂ pressure inside the reactor at -10 kPa.

[0054] Before the reaction begins, the reactor is placed in a dark environment and left to stand for 30 minutes to ensure that CO2 and H2O reach adsorption equilibrium on the catalyst surface.

[0055] Subsequently, the simulated light source 1 is turned on to illuminate the catalyst and drive the reaction. Under illumination, the magnetic field applied by the first NdFeB permanent magnet 6 and the second NdFeB permanent magnet 7 acts on the catalyst, promoting the effective separation of electrons and holes, reducing recombination effects, and thus improving reaction efficiency.

[0056] Each experiment lasted for 2 hours. After the experiment, the reaction products were analyzed using an online gas chromatograph to determine the reaction efficiency and product selectivity.

[0057] This experiment focuses on commercially available TiO2 (non-magnetic), ZnFe2O4 (paramagnetic), and TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 composite materials (paramagnetic) at 150 mW / cm². 2 Tests were conducted under varying light intensity and with and without a magnetic field (magnetic field strength of 125 mT), and the results are as follows. Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figure 4.

[0058] Experimental results show that the catalytic performance of TiO2, ZnFe2O4, and TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 is significantly improved under magnetic field conditions, with the TiO2 / ZnFe2O4 composite material exhibiting a more significant enhancement effect. This result verifies the effectiveness of introducing a permanent magnetic field in improving the efficiency of photothermal catalytic reactions.

[0059] Through experimental verification of the above embodiments, the photothermal catalytic experimental device of the present invention exhibits a significant improvement in catalytic performance in the carbon dioxide reduction reaction. In particular, the photothermal catalytic efficiency of different materials is significantly enhanced after the introduction of a permanent magnetic field, providing important evidence for the development of photothermal catalysis technology and further verifying the innovation and practicality of the present invention.

[0060] This invention is the first to introduce a permanent magnetic field into a photothermal catalytic system, utilizing two parallel neodymium iron boron permanent magnets with opposite poles to apply a parallel magnetic field to the catalytic reaction system. This design significantly improves the efficiency and stability of the catalytic reaction without requiring additional power consumption.

[0061] This invention effectively suppresses the recombination of charge carriers (electrons and holes) by applying an external permanent magnetic field, thereby extending the carrier lifetime and enhancing their migration ability. This mechanism significantly improves the efficiency of photothermal catalytic reactions, particularly demonstrating excellent catalytic performance in reactions such as water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction.

[0062] This invention employs neodymium iron boron permanent magnets for magnetic field application, eliminating the need for an external power supply, thereby reducing energy consumption and system maintenance costs, and ensuring the continuity and economic benefits of the catalytic reaction. By combining photothermal catalysis with an external permanent magnetic field, this invention significantly enhances the utilization efficiency of light and heat energy, improving the overall performance and economic benefits of the catalytic reaction.

[0063] The experimental apparatus proposed in this invention can be extended to multiple fields, including water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, pollutant degradation, and C1 molecule transformation.

[0064] The above content is only for illustrating the technical concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications made to the technical solution based on the technical concept proposed in this invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. An experimental device for enhancing the performance of a photo-thermal catalysis based on an applied permanent magnetic field, characterized in that, The reactor body is provided with an analog light source (1) on one side thereof, and a catalyst bed (8) is arranged inside the reactor body; two permanent magnets are arranged on the inner side wall of the reactor body in parallel opposition, and the two permanent magnets are in opposite poles; The catalyst powder in the catalyst bed (8) is non-magnetic catalyst powder or paramagnetic catalyst powder; and the catalyst bed (8) is located in the magnetic field range formed by the permanent magnets. 2.The experimental device based on the external permanent magnetic field for enhancing the photo-thermal catalytic performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The analog light source (1) is provided with a condenser lens (2). 3.The experimental device based on the external permanent magnetic field for enhancing the photo-thermal catalytic performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, A visual window is arranged on the top of the reactor body. 4.The experimental device based on the external permanent magnetic field for enhancing the photo-thermal catalytic performance according to claim 3, characterized in that, A sealing component is arranged on the top of the reactor body, and the sealing component comprises a fixed connecting component and a graphite gasket (5). The graphite gasket (5) is arranged below the visual window, and the reactor body is connected with the visual window through the fixed connecting component. 5.The experimental device based on an applied permanent magnetic field to enhance photo-thermal catalytic performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, A heating system is arranged on the bottom of the reactor body. 6.The experimental device based on an externally applied permanent magnetic field to enhance photo-thermal catalytic performance according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heating system is arranged below the catalyst bed (8). 7.The experimental device based on an applied permanent magnetic field to enhance photo-thermal catalytic performance according to claim 5, characterized in that, A quartz sand core (9) is arranged below the catalyst bed (8), and the quartz sand core (9) is in contact with the heating system.

8. An experimental method based on the experimental device for enhancing photo-thermal catalytic performance by an applied permanent magnetic field according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: S1: after CO2 and H2O reach adsorption equilibrium on the surface of the catalyst bed (8), the analog light source (1) is turned on to irradiate the catalyst bed (8); S2: under the irradiation condition, the two permanent magnets in opposite poles and in parallel opposition exert a magnetic field on the catalyst bed (8) to perform the experiment.

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