Sensitization of wide band gap photocatalysts to visible light by molten CuCl treatment. Issue 1 (30th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iwashina, Katsuya; Iwase, Akihide; Kudo, Akihiko
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 6:Issue 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 687
• Page End: 692
• Publication Date: 2014-09-30
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c4sc01829j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Cu(i )-containing metal oxide photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation were prepared using molten CuCl treatment. Abstract : Cu(i )-substituted metal oxide photocatalysts were prepared using molten CuCl treatment of wide band gap photocatalysts. The Cu(i )-substituted metal oxide photocatalysts possessed a new absorption band in the visible light region and showed photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from an aqueous solution containing sulfur sacrificial reagents under visible light irradiation. Notably, the Cu(i )–K2 La2 Ti3 O10 and Cu(i )–NaTaO3 photocatalysts showed relatively high activities for hydrogen evolution and gave apparent quantum yields of 0.18% at 420 nm. These photocatalysts responded up to 620 nm. Thus, Cu(i )-substitution using a molten CuCl treatment was an effective strategy for sensitizing a metal oxide photocatalyst with a wide band gap to visible light.