Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
28(8), P. 2531 - 2546
Published: Jan. 24, 2024
Abstract
Compact
ZnO
(wurtzite)
thin
films
are
prepared
on
four
different
substrates
by
(i)
spray
pyrolysis
or
(ii)
pulsed
reactive
magnetron
sputtering
combined
with
a
radio
frequency
electron
cyclotron
wave
resonance
plasma.
Films
characterized
AFM,
XRD,
Kelvin
probe,
cyclic
voltammetry,
electrochemical
impedance
spectroscopy,
and
UV
photoelectrochemistry.
Film
morphologies,
defect
concentrations,
crystallite
size,
orientation
provided
specific
fingerprints
for
the
electronic
structure
of
close
to
conduction
band
minimum.
Fabricated
referenced,
if
relevant,
model
system
based
wurtzite
single
crystal
either
Zn-face
O-face
termination.
probe
measurements
ZnO/air
interface
distinguished
effects
annealing
excitation,
which
attributed
removal
oxygen
vacancies
surface.
In
turn,
work
function,
at
interface,
specifically
addressed
growth
protocol
electrodes
but
not
crystallinity
annealing.
Finally,
high
photocurrents
water
oxidation
observed
exclusively
virgin
films.
This
effect
is
then
discussed
in
terms
photocorrosion,
function
changes
due
light.
Graphical
Applied Catalysis B Environment and Energy,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
325, P. 122372 - 122372
Published: Jan. 5, 2023
Construction
of
heterojunction
is
conventionally
regarded
as
the
prevailing
technique
to
render
effective
solar-driven
photocatalytic
water
splitting.
Nonetheless,
realization
p-n
homojunction
emerges
be
an
appealing
scheme
attributed
non-defective
layer
coupling
and
minor
charge
transfer
impedance.
Herein,
nitrogen-doped
ZnIn2S4
(N-ZIS)
with
dual
properties
was
facilely
synthesized
via
one-step
in-situ
solvothermal
method.
Systematic
investigations
unveil
that
substituting
phenomenon
hosting
S
by
extrinsic
N
atom
dissimilar
electronegativity
valence
electron,
which
eventually
ameliorates
rate
inhibits
electron-hole
pairs
recombination.
First-principle
density
functional
theory
calculations
affirm
p-nature
induced
N-doping
imparting
favorable
redistribution
in
ZIS
framework
diminishing
hydrogen
(H2)
evolution
reaction
kinetic
barrier
at
surface-active
sites.
Therein,
optimal
N-ZIS
generated
1575.71
μmol∙g-1
H2
under
6-hour
visible-light
irradiation
(with
apparent
quantum
yield
6.59%
420
nm
monochromatic
light
irradiation),
6.35-fold
than
pristine
counterpart.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
63(31)
Published: May 9, 2024
Abstract
Although
oxygen
vacancies
(Ovs)
have
been
intensively
studied
in
single
semiconductor
photocatalysts,
exploration
of
intrinsic
mechanisms
and
in‐depth
understanding
Ovs
S‐scheme
heterojunction
photocatalysts
are
still
limited.
Herein,
a
novel
photocatalyst
made
from
WO
3
‐Ov/In
2
S
with
at
the
heterointerface
is
rationally
designed.
The
microscopic
environment
local
electronic
structure
well
optimized
by
Ovs.
Femtosecond
transient
absorption
spectroscopy
(fs‐TAS)
reveals
that
trigger
additional
charge
movement
routes
therefore
increase
separation
efficiency.
In
addition,
synergistic
effect
on
thermodynamic
kinetic
parameters
photocatalysts.
As
result,
optimal
photocatalytic
performance
significantly
improved,
surpassing
component
‐Ov
(by
35.5
3.9
times,
respectively),
as
/In
heterojunction.
This
work
provides
new
insight
into
regulating
photogenerated
carrier
dynamics
also
helps
design
highly
efficient
Carbon Energy,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
5(9)
Published: May 17, 2023
Abstract
Introduction
of
the
photothermal
effect
into
transition‐metal
oxide
photoanodes
has
been
proven
to
be
an
effective
method
improve
photoelectrochemical
(PEC)
water‐splitting
performance.
However,
precise
role
on
PEC
performance
is
still
not
well
understood.
Herein,
spinel‐structured
ZnFe
2
O
4
nanoparticles
are
deposited
surface
hematite
(Fe
3
),
and
/Fe
photoanode
achieves
a
high
photocurrent
density
3.17
mA
cm
−2
at
1.23
V
versus
reversible
hydrogen
electrode
(V
RHE
)
due
.
Considering
that
hopping
electron
small
polarons
induced
by
oxygen
vacancies
thermally
activated,
we
clarify
main
reason
for
enhanced
via
promoted
mobility
bound
positively
charged
vacancies.
Under
synergistic
effect,
conductivity
significantly
improved,
which
provide
fundamental
insights
impact
polaron‐type
semiconductor
photoanodes.
ACS Applied Energy Materials,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
6(2), P. 1093 - 1102
Published: Jan. 9, 2023
Composite
of
rare
earth
oxides
with
TiO2
nanotube
arrays
can
effectively
modify
the
photoelectrochemical
(PEC)
behavior
TiO2.
A
CeO2/TiO2
heterojunction
was
prepared
by
loading
CeO2
nanoparticles
on
anodized
(TNT)
for
PEC
water
splitting.
The
CeO2/TNT
electrode
exhibited
a
high
photocurrent
density
2.11
mA·cm–2,
4.3
times
that
pure
TNT
(0.49
mA·cm–2)
at
1.23
V
vs
RHE
under
AM
1.5G
light.
And
realized
H2
evolution
rate
17.86
μmol/h,
4.5
1.55
RHE.
effective
performance
could
be
attributed
to
its
reasonable
band
gap
structure
facilitating
visible
light
absorption
and
efficient
charge
transfer,
inhibiting
recombination
electron/hole
pairs.
This
work
confirms
successful
construction
improving
production.
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
28(3-4), P. 829 - 845
Published: Jan. 4, 2024
Abstract
This
paper
reviews
selected
problems,
which
appear
in
literature
dealing
with
TiO
2
,
SnO
and
ZnO.
Some
of
them
have
more
universal
impact
to
semiconductor
electrochemistry.
The
electronic
band
structure
is
a
key
for
understanding
fundamental
properties
rational
design
applications,
but
the
uncertainty
specific
values
determined
experimentally
or
by
theoretical
calculations
should
not
be
ignored.
inappropriate
use
Mott-Schottky
plot
characterization
certain
electrodes
another
source
problems.
other
technical
formal
issues
research
development
semiconductors
are
discussed.
Materials Chemistry Frontiers,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
8(10), P. 2197 - 2226
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
This
review
systematically
explores
various
strategies
aimed
at
enhancing
charge
transfer
different
levels—bulk,
surface,
and
interfaces
of
hematite.
The
examination
encompasses
diverse
approaches,
assesses
their
impact
on
mitigating
the
identified
issues.
