TiO(2)/TiSi(2) heterostructures for high-efficiency photoelectrochemical H(2)O splitting

Yongjing Lin; Sa Zhou; Xiaohua Liu; Stafford Sheehan; Dunwei Wang

doi:10.1021/ja808426h

TiO(2)/TiSi(2) heterostructures for high-efficiency photoelectrochemical H(2)O splitting

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Mar 4;131(8):2772-3. doi: 10.1021/ja808426h.

Authors

Yongjing Lin¹, Sa Zhou, Xiaohua Liu, Stafford Sheehan, Dunwei Wang

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA.

PMID: 19209858
DOI: 10.1021/ja808426h

Abstract

A TiO(2)/TiSi(2) complex heteronanostructure was synthesized to improve the efficiencies of TiO(2) in photosplitting H(2)O. Photoactive TiO(2) served to convert incident photons into separated charges, and the supporting TiSi(2) nanonet acted as an efficient conductor to transport separated charges. The structural complexity of TiSi(2) also provided a framework of high surface area to enhance photoabsorption. 16.7% peak conversion efficiency was obtained when measured under monochromic UV illuminations. The TiO(2) growth was further explored to extend the absorption to the visible range by incorporating W into TiO(2), and 0.83% efficiency was measured under simulated solar lights.