Fine-tuning internal electric field of BiOBr for suppressed charge recombination. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hussain, Asif; Hou, Jianhua; Tahir, Muhammad; Wang, Xiaozhi; Qadri, Muhammad U.; jiang, Ting; Tu, Xinyue; Zhang, Tingting; Dou, Qian; Zou, Ji-jun
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Internal electric field -- Photocatalyst -- Layer structures -- Solar spectrumum; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2020.104766
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Graphical abstract, internal electric field induced by optimized quantity of ethylene glycol. Highlights: 2D BiOBr layer structures are synthesized by the Hydrothermal Method. The layers thickness is regulated by an optimized measure of Ethylene Glycol. Layers thickness not only generated oxygen vacancies but also induced internal electric field (IEF). The mechanism of electron-holes pair's recombination is suppressed by IEF. A novel idea for oxygen vacancies generation and IEF using Ethylene Glycol is proposed. Abstract: Owing to the potential to solve environmental issues, semiconductor photocatalysis process using solar energy has drawn significant attention in recent decades. So, the photocatalysis major issues have solved by semiconductor nanotechnology. Here, BiOBr layered structures are synthesized with induced IEF, oxygen vacancies, and layer growth along {001} direction by using hydrothermal synthesis method. Therefore, we exercise optimized amounts of EG, which organized Bi ions at the surface of BiOBr. The exposed {001} facet orientation and oxygen vacancy generation are controlled by using EG. Consequently, the bonding force of the Bi-O band is reduced, allowing O atoms to be dragged out under solar light irradiation, resulting oxygen vacancies produced. Finally, these oxygen vacancies induced IEF across the layers of BiOBr, which suppressed electrons-holes recombination and enhanced reaction process with the degraded material achieved. Most significantly, optimized EG quantity has used to the synthesis of BiOBr structures, which improve photogenerated electrons holes (e − -h + ) pairs capability due to IEF and oxygen vacancies. Thus, an optimized quantity of EG is a strategic measure to induce IEF, which is significant for separation of (e − -h + ) pairs, consequently, it enhances photocatalytic performance and has considered a novel method.