Effect of doped zinc species on the photocatalytic activity of gallium oxide for hydrogen production

Zn-doped Ga(2)O(3) samples were prepared by a homogeneous precipitation (HP) method, and the local structures of Zn ions and their photocatalytic activities for hydrogen production were examined. In the sample with low doping amount, the Zn(2+) ions substituted for the Ga(3+) ions in the Ga(2)O(3) photocatalyst and enhanced the photocatalytic activity, since they would improve the migration of the photoexcited electrons in the conduction band of the Ga(2)O(3) photocatalyst. In the sample with high doping amount, the Zn ions formed a composite ZnGa(2)O(4) phase in the bulk of the Ga(2)O(3) photocatalyst to decrease the photocatalytic activity in the present reaction.