Charge separation promoted by phase junctions in photocatalysts

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(15)60874-9

Abstract

Abstract:

Since the 1980s, photocatalysis research has expanded at an unexpected rate. Fabrication of phase junctions has proved to be an effective method to enhance photocatalytic performance. As a model photocatalyst, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been extensively studied. This feature article mainly reviews the study on TiO₂ surface phase junctions, including the characterization of the surface phases of TiO₂, the use of anatase: rutile TiO₂ phase junctions in photocatalytic hydrogen production, and the current understanding of how TiO₂ phase junctions work in photocatalysis. The surface structure of TiO₂ can be well characterized by ultraviolet (UV) Raman spectroscopy, unlike X-ray diffraction and visible Raman spectroscopy. Based on these results, the mechanism of phase transformation processes of TiO₂ was clearly identified. The infrared (IR) spectra of probe molecules CO and CO₂ on TiO₂ further characterized the surface structure of TiO₂, strongly supporting the UV Raman results. Furthermore, the typical visible emission of anatase and near-infrared emission of the rutile phase of TiO₂ make photoluminescence (PL) a suitable technique to characterize the surface phase structure of TiO₂. PL can also provide information about the carrier dynamics of TiO₂ in photocatalysis. Because of the surface phase junction formed between anatase and rutile, the mixed-phase structure of TiO₂ exhibits a superior H₂ production activity to those of pure anatase or rutile phase. The activity of Degussa P25 TiO₂ can be further increased by three to five times by tuning the phase structure through thermal treatment. Moreover, the phase transformation of TiO₂ from anatase to rutile can be controlled by surface modification with Na₂SO₄, resulting in catalysts with activity six times higher than that of P25. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy provided a clear phase-junction image of TiO₂, which showed atomic contact at the interface of the phase junction. The mechanism of phase junctions improving photocatalytic performance was investigated by time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The charge transfer process across the anatase: rutile phase junction was confirmed by the results of time-resolved IR measurements, and electron transfer from anatase to rutile phases is proposed to occur in mixed-phase TiO₂. These studies on the phase junctions of TiO₂ improve our understanding of photocatalysis and may inspire new ideas for the design of promising photocatalytic systems.

Key words: Photocatalysis, Phase-junction, Charge separation, Solar energy, Titanium oxide

Yi Ma, Xiuli Wang, Can Li. Charge separation promoted by phase junctions in photocatalysts[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2015, 36(9): 1519-1527.

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URL: https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/10.1016/S1872-2067(15)60874-9

https://www.cjcatal.com/EN/Y2015/V36/I9/1519

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