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Hot electron-driven photocatalytic water splitting.

Bingya Hou1, Lang Shen2, Haotian Shi3

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|January 12, 2017
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Summary

We enhanced photocatalytic water splitting efficiency using gold (Au) films coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2). This metal-semiconductor system efficiently utilizes photoexcited hot electrons for hydrogen production.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Photocatalysis
  • Electrochemistry

Background:

  • Photocatalytic water splitting is crucial for renewable energy production.
  • Metal-semiconductor heterostructures offer potential for enhanced photocatalytic activity.
  • Understanding hot electron dynamics is key to optimizing photocatalyst performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate photocatalytic water splitting using gold (Au) films with and without titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings.
  • To measure and analyze photocurrents generated by photoexcited hot electrons.
  • To compare the efficiency of bare Au films versus Au/TiO2 systems for hydrogen evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of Au films (100 nm) coated with thin TiO2 films (3-10 nm) via atomic layer deposition (ALD).
  • Utilization of an AC lock-in technique to detect small photocurrents (μA).
  • Measurement of photocurrents under illumination during electrochemical potential sweeps.

Main Results:

  • Bare Au films produced small AC photocurrents for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
  • Au/TiO2 systems exhibited significantly larger AC photocurrents, indicating efficient hot electron injection into TiO2.
  • A characteristic narrow peak in AC photocurrent versus potential was observed, confirming hot electron involvement.

Conclusions:

  • The Au/TiO2 metal-semiconductor system demonstrates enhanced photocatalytic activity for water splitting compared to bare Au.
  • Hot electron injection from Au to TiO2 is the primary mechanism for increased hydrogen production.
  • The observed photocurrent behavior provides insights into hot electron dynamics at metal-semiconductor interfaces.