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Atomic-Layer-Confined Doping for Atomic-Level Insights into Visible-Light Water Splitting
Fengcai Lei1, Lei Zhang1, Yongfu Sun2
1Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (P.R. China).
Cobalt doping confined in atomic layers of indium sulfide significantly enhances photocatalysis. This atomic-level doping boosts visible-light absorption and carrier concentration, leading to a 25-fold increase in electron-hole separation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Doping is crucial for tuning semiconductor properties.
- Understanding doping effects at the atomic level is key for advanced materials.
- Indium sulfide (In2S3) is a promising photocatalyst material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a model for doping confined in atomic layers.
- To investigate the atomic-level effects of cobalt (Co) doping on In2S3 photocatalysis.
- To enhance the photocatalytic activity of In2S3 through controlled doping.
Main Methods:
- Developed a lamellar hybrid intermediate strategy for Co doping in In2S3 atomic layers.
- Employed density functional calculations (DFT) to analyze electronic structure changes.
- Utilized ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to study carrier dynamics.
Main Results:
- Co doping introduced new energy levels and increased density of states at the conduction band minimum.
- Visible-light absorption and carrier concentration increased significantly (3x higher).
- Electron transfer time reduced to ~1.6 ps, and electron-hole separation improved (25x longer recovery lifetime).
Conclusions:
- Atomic layer doping of Co in In2S3 dramatically enhances photocatalytic performance.
- Synthesized Co-doped In2S3 exhibited photocurrents 10-17 times higher than undoped and bulk counterparts.
- The proposed model provides atomic-level insights into doping-enhanced photocatalysis.
