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Liu JA, Yin L, Liu G. Ferro/Nonferroelectric Vertical Heterostructure Superlattice as a Visible-Light-Responsive Photocatalyst: A DFT Prediction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:7026-7037. [PMID: 38306579 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Developing narrow-band-gap ferroelectric semiconducting photocatalysts is a promising strategy for efficient photocatalytic water splitting with high energy conversion efficiency. Within this context, six ferro/nonferroelectric vertical heterostructure superlattices (VHSs) are constructed in this work by stacking ferroelectric SiS or GeS with nonferroelectric layered organic photocatalysts (C2N, g-C3N4, and melon), layer by layer. The geometry and electronic structures of these six VHSs are systematically investigated by density functional theory calculations. Consequently, four VHSs (SiS/g-C3N4, GeS/C2N, GeS/g-C3N4, and GeS/melon) are predicted to simultaneously possess several important and highly desirable features for photocatalytic water splitting, namely excellent visible-light adsorption, remarkable spontaneous polarization (0.49-0.70 C/m2), spatial charge separation, as well as suitable band-edge positions, thus serving as potential candidates for photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen. This work not only provides a new strategy to use narrow-band-gap ferroelectric semiconductors for photocatalytic water splitting but also offers inspiration for developing photocatalysts with high energy conversion efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-An Liu
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Lichang Yin
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China
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Li CX, Chen C, Zhao L, Ma N. Self-Powered Bipolar Photodetector Based on a Ce-BaTiO 3 PTCR Semiconductor for Logic Gates. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:23402-23411. [PMID: 37130006 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ferroelectric materials bring new opportunities for self-powdered photodetectors, taking advantage of their anomalous bulk photovoltaic effect. However, ferroelectric-based photodetectors suffer from relatively poor responsivity and detectivity due to obstacles of low electrical conductivity and low photoelectric conversion ability. The present work proposes a strategy based on heterovalent ion Ce-doping into BaTiO3 (Ce-BTO) that gives rise to a good room temperature conductivity combined with a significant PTCR (positive temperature coefficient of resistivity) effect. By utilizing a Ce-BTO PTCR semiconductor, a high-performance self-powered photodetector ITO/Ce-BTO/Ag is fabricated, demonstrating a polarity-switchable photoresponse with the change of wavelength due to the competition between hot electrons induced by the Ag plasmonic effect and electron-hole pairs separated by a Schottky barrier. Moreover, benefiting from the reduced bandgap and the introduced impurity states, good responsivity (9.85 × 10-5 A/W) and detectivity (1.25 × 1010 Jones) as well as fast response/recovery time (83/47 ms) is achieved under 450 nm illumination. Finally, four representative logic gates ("OR", "AND", "NOR", and "NAND") are demonstrated with one photodetector via the bipolar photoresponse. This work opens an avenue to promote the application of PTCR semiconductors in optoelectronics, offering a conceivable means toward high-performance self-powered photodetectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xi Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Inorganic Functional Materials and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Precision Computation and Application of Quantum Field Theory of Hebei Province, College of Physics, Science, and Technology, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Chen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of High-Precision Computation and Application of Quantum Field Theory of Hebei Province, College of Physics, Science, and Technology, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Nan Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Inorganic Functional Materials and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899, China
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Chen R, Fan F, Li C. Unraveling Charge-Separation Mechanisms in Photocatalyst Particles by Spatially Resolved Surface Photovoltage Techniques. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202117567. [PMID: 35100475 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202117567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The photocatalytic conversion of solar energy offers a potential route to renewable energy, and its efficiency relies on effective charge separation in nanostructured photocatalysts. Understanding the charge-separation mechanism is key to improving the photocatalytic performance and this has now been enabled by advances in the spatially resolved surface photovoltage (SRSPV) method. In this Review we highlight progress made by SRSPV in mapping charge distributions at the nanoscale and determining the driving forces of charge separation in heterogeneous photocatalyst particles. We discuss how charge separation arising from a built-in electric field, diffusion, and trapping can be exploited and optimized through photocatalyst design. We also highlight the importance of asymmetric engineering of photocatalysts for effective charge separation. Finally, we provide an outlook on further opportunities that arise from leveraging these insights to guide the rational design of photocatalysts and advance the imaging technique to expand the knowledge of charge separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruotian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Fengtao Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian, 116023, China
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Chen R, Fan F, Li C. Unraveling Charge‐Separation Mechanisms in Photocatalyst Particles by Spatially Resolved Surface Photovoltage Techniques. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202117567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruotian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongshan Road 457 Dalian 116023 China
| | - Fengtao Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongshan Road 457 Dalian 116023 China
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhongshan Road 457 Dalian 116023 China
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Yao K, Chen S, Lai SC, Yousry YM. Enabling Distributed Intelligence with Ferroelectric Multifunctionalities. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103842. [PMID: 34719870 PMCID: PMC8728856 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Distributed intelligence involving a large number of smart sensors and edge computing are highly demanded under the backdrop of increasing cyber-physical interactive applications including internet of things. Here, the progresses on ferroelectric materials and their enabled devices promising energy autonomous sensors and smart systems are reviewed, starting with an analysis on the basic characteristics of ferroelectrics, including high dielectric permittivity, switchable spontaneous polarization, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and bulk photovoltaic effects. As sensors, ferroelectrics can directly convert the stimuli to signals without requiring external power supply in principle. As energy transducers, ferroelectrics can harvest multiple forms of energy with high reliability and durability. As capacitors, ferroelectrics can directly store electrical charges with high power and ability of pulse-mode signal generation. Nonvolatile memories derived from ferroelectrics are able to realize digital processors and systems with ultralow power consumption, sustainable operation with intermittent power supply, and neuromorphic computing. An emphasis is made on the utilization of the multiple extraordinary functionalities of ferroelectrics to enable material-critical device innovations. The ferroelectric characteristics and synergistic functionality combinations are invaluable for realizing distributed sensors and smart systems with energy autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Yao
- Institute of Materials Research and EngineeringA*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)2 Fusionopolis WayInnovis138634Singapore
| | - Shuting Chen
- Institute of Materials Research and EngineeringA*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)2 Fusionopolis WayInnovis138634Singapore
| | - Szu Cheng Lai
- Institute of Materials Research and EngineeringA*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)2 Fusionopolis WayInnovis138634Singapore
| | - Yasmin Mohamed Yousry
- Institute of Materials Research and EngineeringA*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)2 Fusionopolis WayInnovis138634Singapore
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Cheng C, Fang WH, Long R, Prezhdo OV. Water Splitting with a Single-Atom Cu/TiO 2 Photocatalyst: Atomistic Origin of High Efficiency and Proposed Enhancement by Spin Selection. JACS AU 2021; 1:550-559. [PMID: 34467318 PMCID: PMC8395698 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Anatase TiO2 is an intensely investigated photocatalytic material due to its abundance and chemical stability. However, it suffers from weak light harvesting and low photocatalytic efficiency. Experiments show that light absorption and photocatalytic properties can be enhanced simultaneously by TiO2 doping with well-dispersed Cu atoms, forming a single-atom catalyst (Cu/TiO2) that can be used for solar water splitting and other applications. By performing ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that Cu/TiO2 is inactive before light irradiation due to rapid electron-hole recombination via both shallow and deep traps. Surprisingly, the shallow trap is more detrimental to the Cu/TiO2 performance than the deep trap because it couples better to free carriers. After light irradiation, leading to electron transfer and Cu/TiO2 protonation, the shallow trap is eliminated, and a local distortion around the Cu atom stabilizes the deep trap state on the Cu d-orbital, decoupling it from free charges and giving rise to high photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity. We further demonstrate that the photocatalytic performance of Cu/TiO2 can be enhanced by spin selection, achievable experimentally via optical intersite spin transfer or chiral semiconductor coating. Both H adsorption and spin selection enhance charge carrier lifetimes by an order of magnitude. The spin selection mechanism does not require formation of the H species, which necessitates concurrent sources of electrons and protons and which is intrinsically unstable because water splitting involves frequent proton shuffling. Our results rationalize the experimental observations at the atomistic level, provide mechanistic insights into operation of single atom photocatalysis, and demonstrate that spin selection can be used to develop advanced and efficient systems for solar energy conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Cheng
- College
of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry
of Ministry of Education, Beijing Normal
University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Hai Fang
- College
of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry
of Ministry of Education, Beijing Normal
University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China
| | - Run Long
- College
of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Theoretical & Computational Photochemistry
of Ministry of Education, Beijing Normal
University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China
| | - Oleg V. Prezhdo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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