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.     

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.     

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.     

Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Z‐Scheme Overall Water Splitting Using a MgTa2O6−xNy /TaON Heterostructure Photocatalyst for H2 Evolution

An (oxy)nitride‐based heterostructure for powdered Z‐scheme overall water splitting is presented. Compared with the single MgTa₂O_6?xN_y or TaON photocatalyst, a MgTa₂O_6?xN_y /TaON heterostructure fabricated by a simple one‐pot nitridation route was demonstrated to effectively suppress the recombination of carriers by efficient spatial charge separation and decreased defect density. By employing Pt‐loaded MgTa₂O_6?xN_y /TaON as a H₂‐evolving photocatalyst, a Z‐scheme overall water splitting system with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.8 % at 420 nm was constructed (PtO_x‐WO₃ and IO₃^?/I^? pairs were used as an O₂‐evolving photocatalyst and a redox mediator, respectively), the activity of which is circa 7 or 360 times of that using Pt‐TaON or Pt‐MgTa₂O_6?xN_y as a H₂‐evolving photocatalyst, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest AQE among the powdered Z‐scheme overall water splitting systems ever reported.     

Rh/Cr2O3 and CoOx Cocatalysts for Efficient Photocatalytic Water Splitting by Poly (Triazine Imide) Crystals

In situ photo-deposition of both Pt and CoO_x cocatalysts on the facets of poly (triazine imide) (PTI) crystals has been developed for photocatalytic overall water splitting. However, the undesired backward reaction (i.e., water formation) on the noble Pt surface is a spontaneously down-hill process, which restricts their efficiency to run the overall water splitting reaction. Herein, we demonstrate that the efficiency for photocatalytic overall water splitting could be largely promoted by the decoration of Rh/Cr₂O₃ and CoO_x as H₂ and O₂ evolution cocatalysts, respectively. Results reveal that the dual cocatalysts greatly extract charges from bulk to surface, while the Rh/Cr₂O₃ cocatalyst dramatically restrains the backward reaction, achieving an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 20.2 % for the photocatalytic overall water splitting reaction.     

Syntheses and characterizations of complex perovskite oxynitrides LaMg1/3Ta2/3O2N, LaMg1/2Ta1/2O5/2N1/2, and BaSc0.05Ta0.95O2.1N0.9

The following complex oxynitride perovskites have been prepared: LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2, and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analyses show that LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N and LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 are isostructural to the oxide La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ (space group P2₁/n), whereas BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a simple cubic symmetry similarly to BaTaO₂N. The orderings of octahedral cations are markedly diminished in the above oxynitrides, as compared with the related oxides such as La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ and Ba₂ScTaO₆. The optical band gaps are similar for the homologous compositions, LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 and LaTaON₂ (1.9 eV), and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 and BaTaO₂N (1.8 eV), while the absorption edges become broader for the complex derivatives. As revealed from the impedance spectroscopic analysis, the oxynitrides have clearly different dielectric components from those of comparable oxides containing Ta⁵⁺. Impedance spectroscopy reveals interesting capacitor geometry in BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 in which the semiconducting oxynitride grains are separated by insulating secondary phases. Most notably BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a bulk component with a high relative permittivity (κ=7300) and the grain boundary component with an even higher κ.     

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.     

Activation of Water‐Splitting Photocatalysts by Loading with Ultrafine Rh–Cr Mixed‐Oxide Cocatalyst Nanoparticles

The activity of many water‐splitting photocatalysts could be improved by the use of Rh^III–Cr^III mixed oxide (Rh_2?xCr_xO₃) particles as cocatalysts. Although further improvement of water‐splitting activity could be achieved if the size of the Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles was decreased further, it is difficult to load ultrafine (<2 nm) Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles onto a photocatalyst by using conventional loading methods. In this study, a new loading method was successfully established and was used to load Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles with a size of approximately 1.3 nm and a narrow size distribution onto a BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅ photocatalyst. The obtained photocatalyst exhibited an apparent quantum yield of 16 %, which is the highest achieved for BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅ to date. Thus, the developed loading technique of Rh_2?xCr_xO₃ particles is extremely effective at improving the activity of the water‐splitting photocatalyst BaLa₄Ti₄O₁₅. This method is expected to be extended to other advanced water‐splitting photocatalysts to achieve higher quantum yields.     

Development of Cocatalysts for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting on (Ga1? x Zn x )(N1? x O x ) Solid Solution

The development of cocatalysts promoting overall water splitting on (Ga_1−x Zn _x )(N_1−x O _x ) solid solution photocatalyst is presented. The (Ga_1−x Zn _x )(N_1−x O _x ) is a stable visible-light-driven photocatalyst for stoichiometric water splitting upon loading with a suitable nanoparticulate cocatalyst. Loading with a combination of Cr and Rh oxides, Rh_2−y Cr _y O₃, is demonstrated to raise the quantum efficiency of (Ga_1−x Zn _x )(N_1−x O _x ) for overall water splitting to 2.5% at 420–440 nm. This represents a 10-fold increase in efficiency over the highest efficiency previously obtained using nanoparticulate RuO₂ as a cocatalyst. In addition to the composition, the dispersion and size of cocatalyst nanoparticles are identified as important factors affecting the degree of enhancement for stoichiometric water splitting. Kazuhiko Maeda—Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).     

Relationship between interlayer hydration and photocatalytic water splitting of A′1−xNaxCa2Ta3O10·nH2O (A′=K and Li)

Partial replacement of alkaline metals in anhydrous KCa₂Ta₃O₁₀ and LiCa₂Ta₃O₁₀ was studied to control interlayer hydration and photocatalytic activity for water splitting under UV irradiation. A′_1−xNa_xCa₂Ta₃O₁₀·nH₂O (A′=K and Li) samples were synthesized by ion exchange of CsCa₂Ta₃O₁₀ in mixed molten nitrates at 400 °C. In K_1−xNa_xCa₂Ta₃O₁₀·nH₂O, two phases with the orthorhombic (C222) and tetragonal (I4/mmm) structures were formed at x?0.7 and x?0.5, respectively. Upon replacement by Na⁺ having a larger enthalpy of hydration (ΔH_h⁰), the interlayer hydration occurred at x?0.3 and the hydration number (n) was increased monotonically with an increase of x. Li_1−xNa_xCa₂Ta₃O₁₀·nH₂O showed a similar hydration behavior, but the phase was changed from I4/mmm (x<0.5, n∼0) via P4/mmm (x∼0.5, n∼1) to I4/mmm (x∼1.0, n∼2). The photocatalytic activities of these systems after loading 0.5 wt% Ni were quite different each other. K_1−xNa_xCa₂Ta₃O₁₀·nH₂O exhibited the activity increasing in consistent with n, whereas Li_1−xNa_xCa₂Ta₃O₁₀·nH₂O exhibited the activity maximum at x=0.77, where the rates of H₂/O₂ evolution were nearly doubled compared with those for end-member compositions (x=0 and 1).     

Solar hydrogen production. Significant effect of Na2CO3 addition on water splitting using simple oxide semiconductor photocatalysts

Recent progress in photocatalytic decomposition of water to H₂ and O₂ using simple oxide semiconductor catalysts has been reviewed. Addition of Na₂CO₃ to Pt/TiO₂ suspension in water enhanced the stoichiometric decomposition significantly. This Na₂CO₃ addition method has been proved to be very useful to accelerate water splitting over various kinds of oxide semiconductor photocatalysts. The role of CO₃ ^2– anion on the acceleration of water splitting was clarified. Finally, it was firstly demonstrated in the world that water was decomposed efficiently and stoichiometrically to H₂ and O₂ using a 3 wt% NiOx/TiO₂ photocatalyst under real solar light irradiation in Tsukuba, Japan by this Na₂CO₃ addition method.     

钙钛矿氧化物H1.9K0.3La0.5Bi0.1Ta2O7和Pt/WO3组成的Z体系下完全光解水性能

以质子化层状钙钛矿氧化物H_1.9K_0.3La_0.5Bi_0.1Ta₂O₇ (HKLBT)作为产氢催化剂, Pt/WO₃作为产氧催化材料进行Z 型体系下完全分解水反应. 考察了不同载流子传递介质及不同载流子浓度对反应活性的影响. 结果表明, 以Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺为载流子传递介质时可以实现水的完全分解(H₂/O₂体积比为2:1), 8 mmol·L^-1的FeCl₃作为初始载流子传递介质时, 产氢、产氧活性分别为66.8和31.8 μmol·h^-1, 氢氧体积比为2.1:1. 受光催化材料对载流子传递介质氧化还原速度的限制, 过高的载流子传递介质浓度并不能提高光催化活性.     

中空Ta2O5/TiO2复合光催化剂的可控氧化制备及性能

以钛粉、钽粉为原料,炭黑作为反应性模板,通过熔盐法在炭黑表面原位生长了TaTiC₂纳米碳化物涂层,并以所得TaTiC₂/C复合物为碳化物前驱体,再经可控氧化制备出中空Ta₂O₅/TiO₂复合光催化剂。采用X射线粉末衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、紫外-可见（UV-Vis）漫反射（DRS）及N₂物理吸附等手段对所制备的光催化剂进行形貌、显微结构及孔结构表征。以高压汞灯为紫外光源,以亚甲基蓝为目标降解物,通过光催化降解实验评价中空Ta₂O₅/TiO₂复合光催化剂的光催化活性。结果表明,熔盐法生长碳化物涂层厚度均匀（20~30 nm）,碳化物主要以TaTiC₂晶相存在且具有纳米级的颗粒尺寸。中空Ta₂O₅/TiO₂复合光催化剂同时具有200 nm左右的中空大孔结构及壳层10 nm左右的介孔结构。中空大孔和介孔的存在提高了所制备催化剂对亚甲基蓝的吸附能力。此外,TiO₂与Ta₂O₅通过电子能带结构的耦合,有效提高了光生电子和空穴的分离效率,从而显著提高了光催化活性。n_Ti∶n_Ta=2.5∶1.5时,相应的中空Ta₂O₅/TiO₂复合光催化剂表现出最佳的光催化活性,对亚甲基蓝的紫外光催化降解率高达97%。     

中空Ta_2O_5/TiO_2复合光催化剂的可控氧化制备及性能

以钛粉、钽粉为原料,炭黑作为反应性模板,通过熔盐法在炭黑表面原位生长了TaTiC_2纳米碳化物涂层,并以所得TaTiC_2/C复合物为碳化物前驱体,再经可控氧化制备出中空Ta_2O_5/TiO_2复合光催化剂。采用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)漫反射(DRS)及N2物理吸附等手段对所制备的光催化剂进行形貌、显微结构及孔结构表征。以高压汞灯为紫外光源,以亚甲基蓝为目标降解物,通过光催化降解实验评价中空Ta_2O_5/TiO_2复合光催化剂的光催化活性。结果表明,熔盐法生长碳化物涂层厚度均匀(20~30 nm),碳化物主要以TaTiC_2晶相存在且具有纳米级的颗粒尺寸。中空Ta_2O_5/TiO_2复合光催化剂同时具有200 nm左右的中空大孔结构及壳层10 nm左右的介孔结构。中空大孔和介孔的存在提高了所制备催化剂对亚甲基蓝的吸附能力。此外,TiO_2与Ta2O5通过电子能带结构的耦合,有效提高了光生电子和空穴的分离效率,从而显著提高了光催化活性。nTi∶nTa=2.5∶1.5时,相应的中空Ta_2O_5/TiO_2复合光催化剂表现出最佳的光催化活性,对亚甲基蓝的紫外光催化降解率高达97%。     

Solar hydrogen production. Significant effect of Na2CO3 addition on water splitting using simple oxide semiconductor photocatalysts

Recent progress in photocatalytic decomposition of water to H₂ and O₂ using simple oxide semiconductor catalysts has been reviewed. Addition of Na₂CO₃ to Pt/TiO₂ suspension in water enhanced the stoichiometric decomposition significantly. This Na₂CO₃ addition method has been proved to be very useful to accelerate water splitting over various kinds of oxide semiconductor photocatalysts. The role of CO₃ ^2? anion on the acceleration of water splitting was clarified. Finally, it was firstly demonstrated in the world that water was decomposed efficiently and stoichiometrically to H₂ and O₂ using a 3 wt% NiOx/TiO₂ photocatalyst under real solar light irradiation in Tsukuba, Japan by this Na₂CO₃ addition method.     

An Oxygen-Insensitive Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst Coated by a Molybdenum-Based Layer for Overall Water Splitting

For overall water-splitting systems, it is essential to establish O₂-insensitive cathodes that allow cogeneration of H₂ and O₂. An acid-tolerant electrocatalyst is described, which employs a Mo-coating on a metal surface to achieve selective H₂ evolution in the presence of O₂. In operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy identified reduced Pt covered with an amorphous molybdenum oxyhydroxide hydrate with a local structural order composed of polyanionic trimeric units of molybdenum(IV). The Mo layer likely hinders O₂ gas permeation, impeding contact with active Pt. Photocatalytic overall water splitting proceeded using MoO_x/Pt/SrTiO₃ with inhibited water formation from H₂ and O₂, which is the prevailing back reaction on the bare Pt/SrTiO₃ photocatalyst. The Mo coating was stable in acidic media for multiple hours of overall water splitting by membraneless electrolysis and photocatalysis.     

The Pt-free 1T/2H-MoS2/CdS/MnOx hollow core-shell nanocomposites toward overall water splitting via HER/OER synergy of 1T-MoS2/MnOx

Hydrogen evolution reaction/Oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER) synergy would be the most important issue for overall water splitting. The Pt-free 1T/2H-MoS₂/CdS/MnO_x hollow core–shell nanocomposites are fabricated via a continuous hydrothermal–chemical method; therefore, the OER co-catalysts MnO_x and CdS shell are deposited on the surface of SiO₂ nanosphere templates continuously via hydrothermal–chemical method. Subsequently, the SiO₂ templates are etched via chemical method and the 2H-MoS₂/CdS hollow core–shell heterojunction and 1T-MoS₂ HER co-catalyst are introduced via one-step hydrothermal method. Evaluated by photocatalytic performance, the 1T/2H-MoS₂/CdS/MnO_x exhibits an enhanced HER performance of about ~50 folds than that of single CdS hollow nanosphere, and achieves a decent overall water splitting performance of about ~1668.00(H₂)/824.61(O₂) μmol/g?h, which can be mainly ascribed to the well HER/OER synergy and formation of hollow core–shell structure. Therefore, the 1T-MoS₂ with quick electron transport and decent solid/liquid interface can promote the photogenerated electron diffusing, the MnO_x with mixed Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ions can activate the hole-related species for OH^? oxidation and promote H₂O₂ decomposition, the 2H–MoS₂/CdS heterojunction can separate the charge carrier and meet the potential to achieve overall water splitting. Additionally, the 1T/2H-MoS₂ with decent lattice matching can improve the charge carrier transport, the 1T-MoS₂ with sufficient specific surface areas can increase active sites and the hollow core–shell structure can increase solar efficiency which is also beneficial for enhancing the overall water splitting performance and stability.     

Photocatalytic water splitting using semiconductor particles: History and recent developments

Overall water splitting to produce H₂ and O₂ over a semiconductor photocatalyst using solar energy is a promising process for the large-scale production of clean, recyclable H₂. Numerous attempts have been made to develop photocatalysts that function under visible-light irradiation to efficiently utilize solar energy. In general, overall water splitting over a photocatalyst particle can be achieved by modifying the photocatalyst with a suitable cocatalyst to provide an active redox site. Therefore, the development of active photocatalytic materials has relied on both photocatalysts and cocatalysts. This review article describes the historical development of water-splitting photocatalysts.     

Perovskite Oxide Nanosheets with Tunable Band‐Edge Potentials and High Photocatalytic Hydrogen‐Evolution Activity

Perovskite nanosheets of HCa_2?xSr_xNb₃O₁₀ and HCa₂Nb_3?yTa_yO₁₀ with controlled band‐edge potentials were prepared. They worked as highly efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts for H₂ evolution from a water/methanol mixture under band‐gap irradiation. The activity was found to depend on the composition. The highest activity was obtained with HCa₂Nb₂TaO₁₀ nanosheets, recording an apparent quantum yield of approximately 80 % at 300 nm, which is the highest value for a nanosheet‐based photocatalyst reported to date.     

Single-atom nickel terminating sp2 and sp3 nitride in polymeric carbon nitride for visible-light photocatalytic overall water splitting

Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) has been widely used as a metal-free photocatalyst for solar hydrogen generation from water. However, rapid charge carrier recombination and sluggish water catalysis kinetics have greatly limited its photocatalytic performance for overall water splitting. Herein, a single-atom Ni terminating agent was introduced to coordinate with the heptazine units of PCN to create new hybrid orbitals. Both theoretical calculation and experimental evidence revealed that the new hybrid orbitals synergistically broadened visible light absorption via a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) process, and accelerated the separation and transfer of photoexcited electrons and holes. The obtained single-atom Ni terminated PCN (PCNNi), without an additional cocatalyst loading, realized efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting into easily-separated gas-product H₂ and liquid-product H₂O₂ under visible light, with evolution rates reaching 26.6 and 24.0 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. It was indicated that single-atom Ni and the neighboring C atom served as water oxidation and reduction active sites, respectively, for overall water splitting via a two-electron reaction pathway.

Single-atom Ni terminating agent is introduced to coordinate with sp² or sp³ N atoms in the heptazine units of PCN, realizing visible-light photocatalytic overall water splitting to H₂O₂ and H₂ without additional cocatalyst.