BaTiO 3 is used as a target catalyst to probe the influence of ferroelectricity on the decolorization of a typical dye moleculeRhodamine Bunder simulated solar light. We show that there is a 3-fold increase in the decolorization rate using BaTiO 3 with a high tetragonal content compared to predominantly cubic material. This is ascribed to the ferroelectricity of the tetragonal phase. The influence of ferroelectricity ensures a tightly bound layer of dye molecule and also acts to separate the photoexcited carriers due to the internal space charge layer. Both of these features act to enhance the catalytic performance. When nanostructured Ag is photochemically deposited on the surface of the BaTiO 3 , we find a further increase in the reaction rate that gives complete decolorization of the dye in around 45 min.

The pre‐existing Fermi level alignment between ZnO and CuSCN semiconductors gives rise to the two key elements needed for a self‐powered, binary‐response UV‐ sensor: photovoltaic behavior and low turn‐on bias. Nanosecond response times, self‐powered performance, and long‐term stability, coupled with scalable, inexpensive fabrication on the nanoscale, offer currently unmatched progression towards self‐sufficient nanoscale systems.

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New hybrid materials consisting of ZnO nanorods sensitized with three different biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized, characterized, and used for the first time to build solid-state nanostructured solar cells. The performance of the devices was dependent on the functional groups found on the CQDs. The highest efficiency was obtained using a layer-by-layer coating of two different types of CQDs.