A Redox‐Mediator‐Free Solar‐Driven Z‐Scheme Water‐Splitting System Consisting of Modified Ta3N5 as an Oxygen‐Evolution Photocatalyst

Tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) modified with various O₂‐evolution cocatalysts was employed as a photocatalyst for water oxidation under visible light (λ>420 nm) in an attempt to construct a redox‐mediator‐free Z‐scheme water‐splitting system. Ta₃N₅ was prepared by nitriding Ta₂O₅ powder under a flow of NH₃ at 1023–1223 K. The activity of Ta₃N₅ for water oxidation from an aqueous AgNO₃ solution as an electron acceptor without cocatalyst was dependent on the generation of a well‐crystallized Ta₃N₅ phase with a low density of anionic defects. Modification of Ta₃N₅ with nanoparticulate metal oxides as cocatalysts for O₂ evolution improved water‐oxidation activity. Of the cocatalysts examined, cobalt oxide (CoO_x) was found to be the most effective, improving the water‐oxidation efficiency of Ta₃N₅ by six to seven times. Further modification of CoO_x/Ta₃N₅ with metallic Ir as an electron sink allowed one to achieve Z‐scheme water splitting under simulated sunlight through interparticle electron transfer without the need for a shuttle redox mediator in combination with Ru‐loaded SrTiO₃ doped with Rh as a H₂‐evolution photocatalyst.     

Highly Active GaN‐Stabilized Ta3N5 Thin‐Film Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation

Ta₃N₅ is a very promising photocatalyst for solar water splitting because of its wide spectrum solar energy utilization up to 600 nm and suitable energy band position straddling the water splitting redox reactions. However, its development has long been impeded by poor compatibility with electrolytes. Herein, we demonstrate a simple sputtering‐nitridation process to fabricate high‐performance Ta₃N₅ film photoanodes owing to successful synthesis of the vital TaO_δ precursors. An effective GaN coating strategy is developed to remarkably stabilize Ta₃N₅ by forming a crystalline nitride‐on‐nitride structure with an improved nitride/electrolyte interface. A stable, high photocurrent density of 8 mA cm⁻² was obtained with a CoPi/GaN/Ta₃N₅ photoanode at 1.2 V_RHE under simulated sunlight, with O₂ and H₂ generated at a Faraday efficiency of unity over 12 h. Our vapor‐phase deposition method can be used to fabricate high‐performance (oxy)nitrides for practical photoelectrochemical applications.     

Interface Engineering of a CoOx/Ta3N5 Photocatalyst for Unprecedented Water Oxidation Performance under Visible‐Light‐Irradiation

Cocatalysts have been extensively used to promote water oxidation efficiency in solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion, but the influence of interface compatibility between semiconductor and cocatalyst has been rarely addressed. Here we demonstrate a feasible strategy of interface wettability modification to enhance water oxidation efficiency of the state‐of‐the‐art CoO_x/Ta₃N₅ system. When the hydrophobic feature of a Ta₃N₅ semiconductor was modulated to a hydrophilic one by in situ or ex situ surface coating with a magnesia nanolayer (2–5 nm), the interfacial contact between the hydrophilic CoO_x cocatalyst and the modified hydrophilic Ta₃N₅ semiconductor was greatly improved. Consequently, the visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic oxygen evolution rate of the resulting CoO_x/MgO(in)–Ta₃N₅ photocatalyst is ca. 23 times that of the pristine Ta₃N₅ sample, with a new record (11.3 %) of apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) under 500–600 nm illumination.     

Pristine Ta3N5 Nanotubes: Trap‐Driven High External Biasing Perspective in Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interfaces

Ta₃N₅ is a promising photoelectrode for solar hydrogen production; however, to date pristine Ta₃N₅ electrodes without loading co‐catalysts have presented limited photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. In particular, large external biasing has been required to run water oxidation, the origin of which is investigated herein. Ta₃N₅ nanotubes (NTs) prepared by nitridation were characterized by a wide range of techniques. The bandgap was confirmed by a novel PEC technique. Nondestructive synchrotron‐excited XPS has shown the presence of reduced Ta species deeper in the Ta₃N₅ surface. Lower photocurrent and transient spikes that were intense at lower applied biasing were observed under water oxidation; however, spikes were inhibited in the presence of a sacrificial agent and photocurrent was improved even at low biasing. It was observed for the first time that the lower PEC performance under water oxidation can be attributed to the presence of interband trapping states associated with pristine Ta₃N₅ NTs/electrolyte junction. These states correspond to the structural defects in Ta₃N₅, devastate PEC performance, and present the necessity to apply higher biasing. The key to circumvent them is to use a sacrificial agent in the electrolyte or to load a suitable co‐catalyst to avoid hole accumulation under water oxidation, thereby improving the phootocurrent. The findings on the interband states could also provide guidance for the investigation of PEC properties of new types of semiconducting devices.     

Ge‐Mediated Modification in Ta3N5 Photoelectrodes with Enhanced Charge Transport for Solar Water Splitting

Ta₃N₅ is a promising photoanode candidate for photoelectrochemical water splitting, with a band gap of about 2.1 eV and a theoretical solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency as high as 15.9 % under AM 1.5 G 100 mW cm^?2 irradiation. However, the presently achieved highest photocurrent (ca. 7.5 mA cm^?2) on Ta₃N₅ photoelectrodes under AM 1.5 G 100 mW cm^?2 is far from the theoretical maximum (ca. 12.9 mA cm^?2), which is possibly due to serious bulk recombination (poor bulk charge transport and charge separation) in Ta₃N₅ photoelectrodes. In this study, we show that volatilization of intentionally added Ge (5 %) during the synthesis of Ta₃N₅ promotes the electron transport and thereby improves the charge‐separation efficiency in bulk Ta₃N₅ photoanode, which affords a 320 % increase of the highest photocurrent comparing with that of pure Ta₃N₅ photoanode under AM 1.5 G 100 mW cm^?2 simulated sunlight.     

原位水解沉积制备高效氮化钽微球太阳能分解水光阳极

利用一种新的原位水解沉积方法,以在高湿度空气中老化的甲醇中作为溶剂,通过乙醇钽水解而成前驱体微球颗粒沉积,制备出了高效的Ta₃N₅微球光电极,其1.6 V（vs RHE）电极电位下的光电流值达到了6.6 mA·cm^-2。相反地,在新鲜的甲醇溶液中没有钽前驱体微球颗粒沉积。这表明甲醇中水的含量对Ta₃N₅微球光电极的形成十分重要。另外,本制备方法也能方便地在其他透明导电衬底上制备出Ta₃N₅。     

Overall Water Splitting on the Transition‐Metal Oxynitride Photocatalyst LaMg1/3Ta2/3O2N over a Large Portion of the Visible‐Light Spectrum

One of the main targets of studies on water splitting photocatalysts is to develop semiconductor materials with narrower bandgaps capable of overall water splitting for efficient harvesting of solar energy. A series of transition‐metal oxynitrides, LaMg_xTa_1?xO_1+3xN_2?3x (x≥1/3), with a complex perovskite structure was reported as the first example of overall water splitting operable at up to 600 nm. The photocatalytic behavior of LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N was investigated in detail in order to optimize photocatalyst preparation and water‐splitting activity. Various attempts exploring photocatalyst preparation steps, that is, cocatalyst selection, coating material and method, and synthesis method for the oxide precursor, revealed photocatalyst structures necessary for achieving overall water splitting. Careful examination of photocatalyst preparation procedures likely enhanced the quality of the produced photocatalyst, leading to a more homogeneous coating quality and semiconductor particles with fewer defects. Thus, the photocatalytic activity for water splitting on LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N was largely enhanced.     

Synthesis of Ordered Porous Graphitic‐C3N4 and Regularly Arranged Ta3N5 Nanoparticles by Using Self‐Assembled Silica Nanospheres as a Primary Template

Uniform‐sized silica nanospheres (SNSs) assembled into close‐packed structures were used as a primary template for ordered porous graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄), which was subsequently used as a hard template to generate regularly arranged Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles of well‐controlled size. Inverse opal g‐C₃N₄ structures with the uniform pore size of 20–80 nm were synthesized by polymerization of cyanamide and subsequent dissolution of the SNSs with an aqueous HF solution. Back‐filling of the C₃N₄ pores with tantalum precursors, followed by nitridation in an NH₃ flow gave regularly arranged, crystalline Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles that are connected with each other. The surface areas of the Ta₃N₅ samples were as high as 60 m² g⁻¹, and their particle size was tunable from 20 to 80 nm, which reflects the pore size of g‐C₃N₄. Polycrystalline hollow nanoparticles of Ta₃N₅ were also obtained by infiltration of a reduced amount of the tantalum source into the g‐C₃N₄ template. An improved photocatalytic activity for H₂ evolution on the assembly of the Ta₃N₅ nanoparticles under visible‐light irradiation was attained as compared with that on a conventional Ta₃N₅ bulk material with low surface area.     

原位水解沉积制备高效氮化钽微球太阳能分解水光阳极

利用一种新的原位水解沉积方法,以在高湿度空气中老化的甲醇中作为溶剂,通过乙醇钽水解而成前驱体微球颗粒沉积,制备出了高效的Ta₃N₅微球光电极,其1.6 V（vs RHE）电极电位下的光电流值达到了6.6 mA·cm^-2。相反地,在新鲜的甲醇溶液中没有钽前驱体微球颗粒沉积。这表明甲醇中水的含量对Ta₃N₅微球光电极的形成十分重要。另外,本制备方法也能方便地在其他透明导电衬底上制备出Ta₃N₅。     

A Complex Perovskite‐Type Oxynitride: The First Photocatalyst for Water Splitting Operable at up to 600 nm

One of the simplest methods for splitting water into H₂ and O₂ with solar energy entails the use of a particulate‐type semiconductor photocatalyst. To harness solar energy efficiently, a new water‐splitting photocatalyst that is active over a wider range of the visible spectrum has been developed. In particular, a complex perovskite‐type oxynitride, LaMg_xTa_1?xO_1+3xN_2?3x (x≥1/3), can be employed for overall water splitting at wavelengths of up to 600 nm. Two effective strategies for overall water splitting were developed. The first entails the compositional fine‐tuning of a photocatalyst to adjust the bandgap energy and position by forming a series of LaMg_xTa_1?xO_1+3xN_2?3x solid solutions. The second method is based on the surface coating of the photocatalyst with a layer of amorphous oxyhydroxide to control the surface redox reactions. By combining these two strategies, the degradation of the photocatalyst and the reverse reaction could be prevented, resulting in successful overall water splitting.     

Enhanced Spatial Charge Separation in a Niobium and Tantalum Nitride Core-Shell Photoanode: In Situ Interface Bonding for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

Tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) has emerged as a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. However, the inefficient electron-hole separation remains a bottleneck that impedes its solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate that a core–shell nanoarray photoanode of NbN_x-nanorod@Ta₃N₅ ultrathin layer enhances light harvesting and forms a spatial charge-transfer channel, which leads to the efficient generation and extraction of charge carriers. Consequently, an impressive photocurrent density of 7 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V_RHE is obtained with an ultrathin Ta₃N₅ shell thickness of less than 30 nm, accompanied by excellent stability and a low onset potential (0.46 V_RHE). Mechanistic studies reveal the enhanced performance is attributed to the high-conductivity NbN_x core, high-crystalline Ta₃N₅ mono-grain shell, and the intimate Ta−N−Nb interface bonds, which accelerate the charge-separation capability of the core–shell photoanode. This study demonstrates the key roles of nanostructure design in improving the efficiency of PEC devices.     

Tungsten doping of Ta3N5-nanotubes for band gap narrowing and enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting efficiency

Ordered W-doped Ta₂O₅ nanotube arrays were grown by self-organizing electrochemical anodization of TaW alloys with different tungsten concentrations and by a suitable high temperature ammonia treatment, fully converted to W:Ta₃N₅ tubular structures. A main effect found is that W doping can decrease the band gap from 2 eV (bare Ta₃N₅) down to 1.75 eV. Ta₃N₅ nanotubes grown on 0.5 at.% W alloy and modified with Co(OH)_x as co-catalyst show ~ 33% higher photocurrents in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting than pure Ta₃N₅.     

Transparent Ta3N5 Photoanodes for Efficient Oxygen Evolution toward the Development of Tandem Cells

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is regarded as a promising approach to the production of hydrogen, and the development of efficient photoelectrodes is one aspect of realizing practical systems. In this work, transparent Ta₃N₅ photoanodes were fabricated on n‐type GaN/sapphire substrates to promote O₂ evolution in tandem with a photocathode, to realize overall water splitting. Following the incorporation of an underlying GaN layer, a photocurrent of 6.3 mA cm^?2 was achieved at 1.23 V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode. The transparency of Ta₃N₅ to wavelengths longer than 600 nm allowed incoming solar light to be transmitted to a CuInSe₂ (CIS), which absorbs up to 1100 nm. A stand‐alone tandem cell with a serially‐connected dual‐CIS unit terminated with a Pt/Ni electrode was thus constructed for H₂ evolution. This tandem cell exhibited a solar‐to‐hydrogen energy conversion efficiency greater than 7 % at the initial stage of the reaction.     

A Photoelectrochemical Solar Cell Consisting of a Cadmium Sulfide Photoanode and a Ruthenium–2,2′‐Bipyridine Redox Shuttle in a Non‐aqueous Electrolyte

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell consisting of an n‐type CdS single‐crystal electrode and a Pt counter electrode with the ruthenium–2,2′‐bipyridine complex [Ru(bpy)₃]^2+/3+ as the redox shuttle in a non‐aqueous electrolyte was studied to obtain a higher open‐circuit voltage (V_OC) than the onset voltage for water splitting. A V_OC of 1.48 V and a short‐circuit current (I_SC) of 3.88 mA cm^?2 were obtained under irradiation by a 300 W Xe lamp with 420–800 nm visible light. This relatively high voltage was presumably due to the difference between the Fermi level of photo‐irradiated n‐type CdS and the redox potential of the Ru complex at the Pt electrode. The smooth redox reaction of the Ru complex with one‐electron transfer was thought to have contributed to the high V_OC and I_SC. The obtained V_OC was more than the onset voltage of water electrolysis for hydrogen and oxygen generation, suggesting prospects for application in water electrolysis.     

Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen von Cu‐ und Ag‐Komplexen mit [Ta6S17]4—‐Ionen als Liganden

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Cu and Ag Complexes with [Ta₆S₁₇]^4— Ions as Ligands In the presence of phosphines saturated solutions of the thiotantalates (NEt₄)₄[(Ta₆S₁₇)] · 3MeCN react with copper or silver salts to give new heterobimetallic Ta—M—S clusters (M = Ag, Cu). These clusters contain the intact cluster core of the [Ta₆S₁₇]^4— anion. Compounds [Cu(PMe₃)₄]₃[(Ta₆S₁₇)Cu(PMe₃)] · 2MeCN ( 1 ), (NEt₄)[(Ta₆S₁₇)Ag₃(PMe₂ⁱPr)₆] · 5MeCN ( 2 ), [(Ta₆S₁₇)Cu₄ (PMe₂ⁱPr)₈] · MeCN ( 3 ), [(Ta₆S₁₇)Cu₅Cl(PMe₂ⁱPr)₉] · MeCN ( 4 ) and [Ta₂Cu₂S₄Cl₂(PMe₂ⁱPr)₆] · 2MeCN ( 5 ) are presented herein. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by single crystal X‐ray structural analyses.     

Porous Tantalum Nitride Single Crystal at Two‐Centimeter Scale with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

Porous tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅) single crystals, combining structural coherence and porous microstructure, would substantially improve the photoelectrochemical performance. The structural coherence would reduce the recombination of charge carriers and maintain excellent transport properties while the porous microstructure would not only reduce photon scattering but also facilitate surface reactions. Here, we grow bulk‐porous Ta₃N₅ single crystals on a two‐centimeter scale with (002), (023), and (041) facets, respectively, and show significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. We show the preferential facet growth of porous crystals in a lattice reconstruction strategy in relation to lattice match and lattice channel. We present the facet engineering to enhance light absorption, exciton lifetime and transport properties. The porous Ta₃N₅ single crystal boosts photoelectrochemical oxidation of alcohols with the (002) facet showing the highest performance of >99 % alcohol conversion and >99 % aldehyde/ketone selectivity.     

Synthesen und Kristallstrukturen neuer heterobimetallischer Tantal‐Münzmetall‐Chalkogenido‐Cluster

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Novel Heterobimetallic Tantalum Coin Metal Chalcogenido Clusters In the presence of phosphine the thiotantalats (Et₄N)₄[Ta₆S₁₇] · 3MeCN reacts with copper to give a number of new heterobimetallic tantalum copper chalcogenide clusters. These clusters show metal chalcogenide units some of which here already known from the chemistry of vanadium and niobium. New Ta—M‐chalcogenide clusters could also be synthesised by reaction of TaCl₅ and silylated chalcogen reagents with copper or silver salts in presence of phosphine. Such examples are: [Ta₂Cu₂S₄Cl₂(PMe₃)₆] · DMF ( 1 ), (Et₄N)[Ta₃Cu₅S₈Cl₅(PMe₃)₆] · 2MeCN ( 2 ), (Et₄N)[Ta₉Cu₁₀S₂₄Cl₈(PMe₃)₁₄] · 2MeCN ( 3 ), [Ta₄Cu₁₂Cl₈S₁₂(PMe₃)₁₂] ( 4 ), (Et₄N)[Ta₂Cu₆S₆Cl₅(PPh₃)₆] · 5MeCN ( 5 ), (Et₄N)[Ta₂Cu₆S₆Cl₅(PPh₂Me)₆] · 2MeCN ( 6 ), (Et₄N)[Ta₂Cu₆S₆Cl₅(P^tBu₂Cl)₆] · MeCN ( 7 ) [Ta₂Cu₂S₄Br₄(PPh₃)₂(MeCN)₂] · MeCN ( 8 ), [Cu(PMe₃)₄]₂[Ta₂Cu₆S₆(SCN)₆(PMe₃)₆] · 4MeCN ( 9 ), [TaCu₅S₄Cl₂(dppm)₄] · DMF ( 10 ), [Ta₂Cu₂Se₄(SCN)₂(PMe₃)₆] ( 11 ), [Cu(PMe₃)₄]₂[Ta₂Cu₆Se₆(SCN)₆(PMe₃)₆] · 4MeCN ( 12 ), [TaCu₄Se₄(PⁿPr₃)₆][TaCl₆] ( 13 ), [Ta₂Ag₂Se₄Cl₂(PMe₃)₆] · MeCN ( 14 ), _∞[TaAg₃Se₄(PMe₃)₃] ( 15 ). The structures of these compounds were obtained by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis.     

光电沉积Co-Pi对Ta3N5水分解性能的影响及机理

Co-Pi是一种低廉高效的氧化水产氧助催化剂,助催化剂担载方法及条件是光阳极太阳能水分解效率提升的关键因素之一。以光阳极材料Ta_3N_5为基底,针对光电沉积担载助催化剂Co-Pi开展了一系列研究,研究表明光电沉积Co-Pi过程中,照射光强的影响较小,而外加偏压和担载电量的影响很大,是Co-Pi担载的关键因素;通过阻抗谱测试定量分析了Co-Pi担载条件对Ta_3N_5/电解液界面载流子输运的影响,表明Co-Pi担载电压和电量直接影响界面光生载流子的传输,进而决定了Ta_3N_5水分解性能的高低;发现最优担载偏压对不同的Ta_3N_5均适用,而最优担载电量和光阳极的表面粗糙度存在正相关关系,要针对光阳极表面粗糙度调节助催化剂担载条件。     

光电沉积Co-Pi对Ta3N5水分解性能的影响及机理

Co-Pi是一种低廉高效的氧化水产氧助催化剂,助催化剂担载方法及条件是光阳极太阳能水分解效率的提升的关键因素之一。以光阳极材料Ta₃N₅为基底,针对光电沉积担载助催化剂Co-Pi开展了一系列研究,研究表明光电沉积Co-Pi过程中,照射光强的影响较小,而外加偏压和担载电量的影响很大,是Co-Pi担载的关键因素;通过阻抗谱测试定量分析了Co-Pi担载条件对Ta₃N₅/电解液界面载流子输运的影响,表明Co-Pi担载电压和电量直接影响界面光生载流子的传输,进而决定了Ta₃N₅水分解性能的高低;发现最优担载偏压对不同的Ta₃N₅均适用,而最优担载电量和光阳极的表面粗糙度存在正相关关系,要针对光阳极表面粗糙度调节助催化剂担载条件。     

Voltammetric Characterization of Micro‐ and Submicrometer‐Electrode Arrays of Conical Shape for Electroanalytical Use

Densely packed micro‐ and submicrometer electrode arrays of platinum and gold (the nominal number, N, of electrodes in each array varies between 225 and 3600) are fabricated by photolithographic technique and vapor deposition processes of metal films. The electrodes are conical‐shaped and only their apexes are exposed to the electrolytic solution. The electrode arrays are characterized electrochemically in Ru(NH₃)₆Cl₃ aqueous solutions by using cyclic voltammetry at low scan rates, to establish the number of electrochemically active electrodes (N_ac) in each array; the geometric characterization is performed by scanning electron microscopy. All the investigated arrays provide steady‐state voltammograms, indicating diffusionally independent behavior of each microelectrode. The number of microelectrodes that are active in the fabricated arrays depends on microelectrode density. In particular, for the arrays with N=3600 and N=225, the fraction of active sites is about 45% and 90%, respectively. The analytical performance of some of the Pt version of the arrays is tested in hydrogen peroxide solutions, allowing verifying that linear calibration plots over the concentration range (0.1–20 mM) are obtained. This dynamic range is larger than that typically recorded at smooth polycrystalline platinum electrodes (0.5–5 mM), and the better performance is attributed to both the higher aspect ratio of the cone geometry and the higher mass transport associated to each microelectrode of the array. Reproducibility (within 3.5%, r.s.d.) and long‐term stability (within 5%, r.s.d., after 8 h continuous use) of the electrode systems are satisfactory. A low detection limit, based on the signal to noise ratio equal to 3, of 0.05 mM is found, which is adequate for a rapid monitoring of H₂O₂ in real samples and industrial processes.