A Facet‐Dependent Schottky‐Junction Electron Shuttle in a BiVO4{010}–Au–Cu2O Z‐Scheme Photocatalyst for Efficient Charge Separation

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2018-08, Vol.28 (31), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Zhou, Chenguang, Wang, Shaomang, Zhao, Zongyan, Shi, Zhan, Yan, Shicheng, Zou, Zhigang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth oxides; charge separation; Charge transfer; CO2 reduction; Conduction bands; Copper oxides; Crystal structure; Electrons; Hot electrons; Materials science; Migration; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Sandwich structures; Schottky junctions; Separation; Valence band; Vanadates; Z‐scheme photocatalysts
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201801214

Interfacial charge separation and transfer are the main challenges of efficient semiconductor‐based Z‐scheme photocatalytic systems. Here, it is discovered that a Schottky junction at the interface between the BiVO4 {010} facet and Au is an efficient electron‐transfer route useful for constructing a high‐performance BiVO4{010}–Au–Cu2O Z‐scheme photocatalyst. Spectroscopic and computational studies reveal that hot electrons in BiVO4 {010} more easily cross the Schottky barrier to expedite the migration from BiVO4 {010} to Au and are subsequently captured by the excited holes in Cu2O. This crystal‐facet‐dependent electron shuttle allows the long‐lived holes and electrons to stay in the valence band of BiVO4 and conduction band of Cu2O, respectively, contributing to improved light‐driven CO2 reduction. This unique semiconductor crystal‐facet sandwich structure will provide an innovative strategy for rational design of advanced Z‐scheme photocatalysts. Charge separation: a Schottky junction at interface between BiVO4 {010} facet and Au is an efficient crystal‐facet‐dependent electron shuttle for Z‐scheme BiVO4{010}–Au–Cu2O photocatalysts and induces long‐lived photogenerated carriers, thus contributing to the improved light‐driven CO2 reduction.