The Effects of Starting Materials in the Synthesis of (Ga1−xZnx)(N1−xOx) Solid Solution on Its Photocatalytic Activity for Overall Water Splitting under Visible Light
✍ Scribed by Takashi Hisatomi; Kazuhiko Maeda; Daling Lu; Kazunari Domen
- Publisher
- Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
- Year
- 2009
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 446 KB
- Volume
- 2
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1864-5631
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
It all depends on the ingredients: The physicochemical properties of (Ga~1−x~Zn~x~)(N~1−x~O~x~), including its particle size, are dependent on the particle size of the ZnO precursor. The relationship between the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance of (Ga~1−x~Zn~x~)(N~1−x~O~x~) for overall water splitting under visible light was investigated to identify suitable starting materials of the catalyst.magnified image
The influence of starting materials on the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of (Ga~1−x~Zn~x~)(N~1−x~O~x~) were investigated in an attempt to optimize the preparation conditions. The catalyst was successfully prepared by nitriding a starting mixture of ZnO and Ga~2~O~3~. A mixture of metallic zinc and GaN, however, did not afford the desired compound. The crystallinity, surface area, composition, and absorption characteristics of the resultant (Ga~1−x~Zn~x~)(N~1−x~O~x~) solid solution are found to be dependent on the morphology of ZnO but largely insensitive to the choice of Ga~2~O~3~ polymorph. The use of coarser‐grained ZnO results in a coarser‐grained catalyst with elevated zinc and oxygen content and reduced uniformity in composition and crystallinity. The results demonstrate the importance of selecting appropriate ZnO and Ga~2~O~3~ starting materials for maximizing the photocatalytic activity of (Ga~1−x~Zn~x~)(N~1−x~O~x~) for overall water splitting under visible light.