scholarly journals Enhancement of Charge Transfer in TiO2/BiOI Heterojunction Using BiFeO3 as Interface Modifier for Photoelectrochemical Conversion

Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Jiang ◽  
Rajesh Pathak ◽  
Tiansheng Zhang ◽  
Haibin Xu ◽  
Xiaoyi Li ◽  
...  

Abstract The solution-processed TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI ternary heterojunction with cascade energy level alignments was developed for photoelectrochemical conversion, in which, BiOI was deposited on BiFeO3 sensitized TiO2 mesoporous film by spin-coating method. BiFeO3 as ferroelectric material was served here as a mediator for improvement of charge separation and transfer. The photocurrent generation in TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI sample are very stable, even measured after 50 light on/off cycles with 2000s. Moreover, compared with the TiO2/BiOI film, TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI film showed about twice as high photocurrent density and photocatalytic activity. Kelvin probe force microscope showed that the surface potential of TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI film was 0.456 V, which was obviously larger than 0.226 V in TiO2/BiOI sample. The increased surface potential should be originated from the polarization electric-field Eself by BiFeO3 interlayer, in which the direction of electric-field was supposed to be directed toward the BiOI. The presence of Eself consequently resulted in the better dissociation of photo-generated electrons and holes. Charge transport dynamics suggested that charge transfer rate increased from 6.813 s-1 of TiO2/BiOI heterojunction to 22.280 s-1 of TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI heterojunction, and surface charge recombination rate reduced from 10.305 s-1 of the TiO2/BiOI to 7.707 s-1 of TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI heterojunction, which results in the enhanced photoelectrochemical conversion in TiO2/BiFeO3/BiOI heterojunction.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunzheng Lv ◽  
Lirong He ◽  
Jiahong Tang ◽  
Feng Yang ◽  
Chuhong Zhang

AbstractAs an important photoconductive hybrid material, perylene/ZnO has attracted tremendous attention for photovoltaic-related applications, but generally faces a great challenge to design molecular level dispersed perylenes/ZnO nanohybrids due to easy phase separation between perylenes and ZnO nanocrystals. In this work, we reported an in-situ reaction method to prepare molecular level dispersed H-aggregates of perylene bisimide/ZnO nanorod hybrids. Surface photovoltage and electric field-induced surface photovoltage spectrum show that the photovoltage intensities of nanorod hybrids increased dramatically for 100 times compared with that of pristine perylene bisimide. The enhancement of photovoltage intensities resulting from two aspects: (1) the photo-generated electrons transfer from perylene bisimide to ZnO nanorod due to the electric field formed on the interface of perylene bisimide/ZnO; (2) the H-aggregates of perylene bisimide in ZnO nanorod composites, which is beneficial for photo-generated charge separation and transportation. The introduction of ordered self-assembly thiol-functionalized perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (T-PTCDI)/ ZnO nanorod composites induces a significant improvement in incident photo-to-electron conversion efficiency. This work provides a novel mentality to boost photo-induced charge transfer efficiency, which brings new inspiration for the preparation of the highly efficient solar cell.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuehua Wang ◽  
Xianghu Wang ◽  
Jianfeng Huang ◽  
Shaoxiang Li ◽  
Alan Meng ◽  
...  

AbstractConstruction of Z-scheme heterostructure is of great significance for realizing efficient photocatalytic water splitting. However, the conscious modulation of Z-scheme charge transfer is still a great challenge. Herein, interfacial Mo-S bond and internal electric field modulated Z-scheme heterostructure composed by sulfur vacancies-rich ZnIn2S4 and MoSe2 was rationally fabricated for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Systematic investigations reveal that Mo-S bond and internal electric field induce the Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism as confirmed by the surface photovoltage spectra, DMPO spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and density functional theory calculations. Under the intense synergy among the Mo-S bond, internal electric field and S-vacancies, the optimized photocatalyst exhibits high hydrogen evolution rate of 63.21 mmol∙g−1·h−1 with an apparent quantum yield of 76.48% at 420 nm monochromatic light, which is about 18.8-fold of the pristine ZIS. This work affords a useful inspiration on consciously modulating Z-scheme charge transfer by atomic-level interface control and internal electric field to signally promote the photocatalytic performance.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 750
Author(s):  
Jixing Sun ◽  
Sibo Song ◽  
Xiyu Li ◽  
Yunlong Lv ◽  
Jiayi Ren ◽  
...  

A conductive metallic particle in a gas-insulated metal-enclosed system can charge through conduction or induction and move between electrodes or on insulating surfaces, which may lead to breakdown and flashover. The charge on the metallic particle and the charging time vary depending on the spatial electric field intensity, the particle shape, and the electrode surface coating. The charged metallic particle can move between the electrodes under the influence of the spatial electric field, and it can discharge and become electrically conductive when colliding with the electrodes, thus changing its charge. This process and its factors are mainly affected by the coating condition of the colliding electrode. In addition, the interface characteristics affect the particle when it is near the insulator. The charge transition process also changes due to the electric field strength and the particle charging state. This paper explores the impact of the coating material on particle charging characteristics, movement, and discharge. Particle charging, movement, and charge transfer in DC, AC, and superimposed electric fields are summarized. Furthermore, the effects of conductive particles on discharge characteristics are compared between coated and bare electrodes. The reviewed studies demonstrate that the coating can effectively reduce particle charge and thus the probability of discharge. The presented research results can provide theoretical support and data for studying charge transfer theory and design optimization in a gas-insulated system.


2009 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiichi Miyazaki ◽  
Mitsuhisa Ikeda ◽  
Katsunori Makihara ◽  
K. Shimanoe ◽  
R. Matsumoto

We demonstrated a new fabrication method of Pt- and Ni-silicide nanodots with an areal density of the order of ~1011 cm-2 on SiO2 through the process steps of ultrathin metal film deposition on pre-grown Si-QDs and subsequent remote H2 plasma treatments at room temperature. Verification of electrical separation among silicide nanodots was made by measuring surface potential changes due to electron injection and extraction using an AFM/Kelvin probe technique. Photoemission measurements confirm a deeper potential well of silicide nanodots than Si-QDs and a resultant superior charge retention was also verified by surface potential measurements after charging to and discharging. Also, the advantage in many electron storage per silicide nanodot was demonstrated in C-V characteristics of MIS capacitors with silicide nanodots FGs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 104002 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M García-Regaña ◽  
T Estrada ◽  
I Calvo ◽  
J L Velasco ◽  
J A Alonso ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Gera ◽  
Huib Bakker ◽  
Ricardo Franklin ◽  
Uriel N. Morzan ◽  
Gabriele Falciani ◽  
...  

We study the properties of the interface of water and the surfactant Hexaethylene Glycol Monododecyl Ether (C12E6)<br>with a combination of Heterodyne-Detected Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation (HD-VSFG), Kelvin-Probe measurements, and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. We observe that the addition of C12E6 close to the critical micelle concentration (CMC), induces a drastic hydrogen bond strength enhancement of the water molecules close to the interface, as well as a flip in their net orientation. The mutual orientation of the water and C12E6 molecules, leads to the emergence of a broad (~ 3 nm) interface with a large electric field of ~ 1V/nm, as evidenced by the Kelvin-Probe measurements and MD simulations. Our findings may open the door for the design of novel electric-field tuned catalytic and light harvesting systems anchored at water-surfactant air interface. <br>


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