Epitaxial facet junctions on TiO<sub>2</sub> single crystals for efficient photocatalytic water splitting

Zhang, Ai-Yong; Wang, Weiyi; Chen, Jie‐Jie; Liu, Chang; Li, Qunxiang; Zhang, Xing; Li, Wen-Wei; Si, Yang; Yu, Han‐Qing

doi:10.1039/c7ee03482b

Cited by 112 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Over the past decade, semiconductor photocatalyst has played a pivotal role in the fields of solar energy harvesting, clean chemical synthesis, photocatalytic antibacterial agents, and environmental technology due to its advantages over conventional heat‐driven catalysis, which generally depend on high thermal energy that results in low product selectivity . Among the semiconductors reported to date, silver halides, AgX; (X=Cl, Br and I) are a family of materials, which display a wide range of applications as antimicrobial agents, catalysts for water oxidation, and photocatalysts for environmental remediation …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

et al. 2020

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Periodic structures induced by electron irradiation are a unique phenomenon when electron beams irradiate on the surface of some materials. These periodic structures have potential for technological applications. However, the fuzzy nature of the electron-induced structuring hinders its further exploration in such applications. In this paper, novel Ag nanoparticle/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) composites, with enhanced photocatalytic activity and low toxicological effects, were prepared, for the first time, using electron beam irradiation. The remarkable advantage of this approach is that the Ag nanoparticles/AgX composites can be easily prepared in one-step without the need for high-pressure conditions, surfactants, ionic liquids, or reducing agents. Furthermore, our method does not involve any toxic substances, which makes the as-synthesized samples highly applicable for technological applications. The structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the Ag nanoparticles/AgX composites were studied using various characterization techniques. Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, we reveal how the concentration of excess electrons in the AgX materials induces the formation of the Ag nanoparticles under electron beam irradiation. These results extend the fundamental understanding of the atomic process underlying the mechanism of AgÀ X bond rupture observed during the transformation induced via electron irradiation of the AgX crystals by increasing the total number of electrons in the bulk structure. Thus, our findings provide viable guidance for the realization of new materials for the degradation of contaminated wastewater with low toxicity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

et al. 2020

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“…Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is one of promising approaches to tackle the energy crisis and environmental problems. [1][2][3][4] Since the first demonstration of water splitting over TiO 2 photocatalyst in 1972, [5] tremendous research efforts have been concentrated on developing various photoelectrodes.Avariety of active semiconductor materials (for example,T iO 2 , [6][7][8] ZnO, [9] WO 3 , [10,11] Fe 2 O 3 , [3,12] and BiVO 4 [13,14] )have been explored and applied in PEC cells. However,insufficient light absorption and inefficient separation and transfer for photoexcited electron-hole pairs tremendously impede the photoactivity of semiconductors.…”

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confidence: 99%

Simultaneous Manipulation of O‐Doping and Metal Vacancy in Atomically Thin Zn₁₀In₁₆S₃₄ Nanosheet Arrays toward Improved Photoelectrochemical Performance

et al. 2018

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The facile hydrothermal synthesis of Zn10In16S34 atomically thin nanosheet arrays on fluorine‐doped tin oxide glass (FTO) substrates is presented. Through controlling heat treatment in air, O‐doping and Zn, S vacancies were simultaneously introduced in Zn10In16S34 nanosheets with adjusted phase, morphology, chemical compositions, and energy level distribution. The surface defect states are passivated by depositing ultrathin Al2O3 film by atomic layer deposition technology. The performance of Zn10In16S34 photoanodes is largely improved, with 4.7 times higher current density and reduced onset potential. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations indicate that the enhancement is attributed to the fast photoexcited electron–hole pair separation, decreased surface transfer impedance, prolonged carrier lifetime, and reduced overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction.

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“…Photocatalysis is an appealing approach toward tackling environmental and global energy problems. Over the past decade, semiconductor photocatalysts with tailored morphologies have attracted intense research interest in many research fields, such as the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants 51 , water splitting [52][53][54] , and photocatalytic antibacterial fields 55,56 , owing to their many intrinsic shape-dependent properties 57,58 . Additionally, the exposed surfaces appearing on the morphology do not only determine the intrinsic physical and chemical properties, but also provide new technological applications in catalysis, optics, electronics, and magnetics.…”

Section: Semiconductor Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reading at exposed surfaces: theoretical insights into photocatalytic activity of ZnWO4

et al. 2018

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Understanding the criteria warranting the existence, stability, and activity of a given configuration of atoms has pivotal relevance in chemical and materials science. Photocatalysts, traditionally semiconductors, are essential for processes ranging from water purification to water splitting, air filtration, and surgical instrument sterilization, and harvest optical energy to drive chemical reactions. These semiconductors harvest optical energy to drive chemical reactions. With chemical reactions dictated by atomic and molecular interactions at the nanoscale, examining these processes with near-atomic resolution is necessary to understand photochemical processes in depth and to improve materials for next-generation catalysts. The performance and key electronic properties of semiconductors are dictated by the interplay between the surface chemistry and morphology, whose manipulation has inspired experimental and theoretical researchers. This interplay has been clarified by theoretical studies based on atomic-scale modelling with particular attention given to two sets of degreesof-freedom: the atomic positions and chemical configuration. This perspective article presents the major computational challenges and modern methodological strategies toward advancing the field. The ZnWO 4 material was selected as a case study, and the key concepts developed in recent years are discussed to clarify the morphology, i.e., the exposed surfaces of materials, and explain its functional properties or performance. First-principle calculations capture the geometric and electronic effects on the photocatalytic activity in agreement with experimental data. Indeed, important and often surprising structure-function relations have been observed based in depth atomistic modelling on morphological analysis. An overview of past achievements and future directions is provided according to the authors' outlook.

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Epitaxial facet junctions on TiO₂ single crystals for efficient photocatalytic water splitting

Abstract: Metal oxide semiconductors with surface homojunctions characteristic of continuous band bending and well-defined epitaxial interfaces show amazing potential for photocatalytic applications.

Cited by 112 publications

References 35 publications

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

Simultaneous Manipulation of O‐Doping and Metal Vacancy in Atomically Thin Zn₁₀In₁₆S₃₄ Nanosheet Arrays toward Improved Photoelectrochemical Performance

Reading at exposed surfaces: theoretical insights into photocatalytic activity of ZnWO4

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Epitaxial facet junctions on TiO2 single crystals for efficient photocatalytic water splitting

Abstract: Metal oxide semiconductors with surface homojunctions characteristic of continuous band bending and well-defined epitaxial interfaces show amazing potential for photocatalytic applications.

Cited by 112 publications

References 35 publications

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

Simultaneous Manipulation of O‐Doping and Metal Vacancy in Atomically Thin Zn10In16S34 Nanosheet Arrays toward Improved Photoelectrochemical Performance

Reading at exposed surfaces: theoretical insights into photocatalytic activity of ZnWO4

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Resources

About

Epitaxial facet junctions on TiO₂ single crystals for efficient photocatalytic water splitting

Simultaneous Manipulation of O‐Doping and Metal Vacancy in Atomically Thin Zn₁₀In₁₆S₃₄ Nanosheet Arrays toward Improved Photoelectrochemical Performance