A Full Compositional Range for a (Ga1‐xZnx)(N1‐xOx) Nanostructure: High Efficiency for Overall Water Splitting and Optical Properties. Issue 7 (8th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yaguang; Zhu, Liping; Yang, Yefeng; Song, Hui; Lou, Zirui; Guo, Yanmin; Ye, Zhizhen
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 11:Issue 7(2015)
• Page Start: 871
• Page End: 876
• Publication Date: 2014-10-08
• Subjects: Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201401770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Bulk (Ga<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>)(N<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>O<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>) as a photocatalyst has received increasing attention as a potential solution for the energy shortage challenge; however, its catalytic performance is highly limited by its bulk form. To improve the photochemical potential, the nanoscale form of this multiple‐metal oxynitrides is desirable. In this work, a new type of (Ga<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>)(N<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>O<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>) nanostructure is obtained. Its composition can tuned to the full range (0.18 < <italic>x</italic> < 0.95). The (Ga<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>)(N<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>O<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>) nanostructure exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity for overall water splitting, and the highest quantum efficiency of (Ga<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>)(N<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>O<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>) is as high as 17.3% under visible light irradiation. Using this new type of (Ga<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>)(N<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>O<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>) nanostructure, the narrowing of the bandgap for (Ga<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>)(N<sub>1‐<italic>x</italic></sub>O<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>) is not only due to an increase in the valence band maximum, but it is also related to a decrease in the conduction band minimum.</p> </abstract>