A Combination of Two Visible-Light Responsive Photocatalysts for Achieving the Z-Scheme in the Solid State

作者：Yun Hyeong Jin; Lee Hyunjoo; Kim Nam Dong; Lee David Minzae; Yu Sungju; Yi Jongheop^*

来源：ACS Nano, 2011, 5(5): 4084-4090.

DOI：10.1021/nn2006738

• photocatalysis
• artificial photosynthesis
• hydrogen
• solid-state
• z-scheme
• water-splitting

The light reaction In natural photosynthesis is generally recognized as one of the most efficient mechanisms for converting solar energy into other energy sources. We report herein on a novel strategy for generating H(2) fuel via an artificial Z-scheme mechanism by mimicking the natural photosynthesis that occurs in green plants. Designing a desirable photocatalyst by mimicking the Z-scheme mechanism leads to a conduction band that is sufficiently high to reduce protons, thus decreasing the probability of charge recombination. We combined two visible light sensitive photocatalysts, CdS and carbon-doped TiO(2), with different band structures. The used of this combination, that is, CdS/Au/TiO(1.96)C(0.04), resulted in the successful transfer of photogenerated electrons to a higher energy level in the form of the letter 'Z'. The system produced about a 4 times higher amount of H(2) under irradiation by visible light than CdS/Au/TiO(2). The findings reported herein describe an innovative route to harvesting energy by mimicking natural photosynthesis, and is independent of fossil fuels.

• 出版日期2011-5