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Charge redistribution of a spatially differentiated ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12 single crystal for photocatalytic overall water splitting

Author

Listed:
  • Guangri Jia

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
    The University of Hong Kong)

  • Fusai Sun

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tao Zhou

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Ying Wang

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon)

  • Xiaoqiang Cui

    (Jilin University)

  • Zhengxiao Guo

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Fengtao Fan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jimmy C. Yu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories)

Abstract

Artificial photosynthesis is a promising approach to produce clean fuels via renewable solar energy. However, it is practically constrained by two issues of slow photogenerated carrier migration and rapid electron/hole recombination. It is also a challenge to achieve a 2:1 ratio of H2 and O2 for overall water splitting. Here we report a rational design of spatially differentiated two-dimensional Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets to enhance overall water splitting. Such a spatially differentiated structure overcomes the limitation of charge transfer across different crystal planes in a single crystal semiconductor. The experimental results show a redistribution of charge within a crystal plane. The resulting photocatalyst produces 40.3 μmol h–1 of hydrogen and 20.1 μmol h–1 of oxygen at a near stoichiometric ratio of 2:1 and a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 0.1% under simulated solar light.

Suggested Citation

  • Guangri Jia & Fusai Sun & Tao Zhou & Ying Wang & Xiaoqiang Cui & Zhengxiao Guo & Fengtao Fan & Jimmy C. Yu, 2024. "Charge redistribution of a spatially differentiated ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12 single crystal for photocatalytic overall water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49168-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49168-2
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