SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Enhancing the photoelectric performance of metal oxide semiconductors by introduction of dislocations†
Abstract
Photocatalysis, a heavily researched approach to sustainable synthesis of chemicals, often faces challenges of high cost and the use of scarce materials or low efficiency of sustainable catalysts. Cheap and abundant metal oxide photo-catalysts like TiO2 are often deemed too ineffective. However, our approach introduces a novel twist. We have convincingly enhanced the properties of metal oxides, such as TiO2 and BaTiO3, through dislocation engineering. In this method, dislocations are mechanically introduced into samples, resulting in changes that can surpass traditional chemical doping strategies. Our current work discusses the effect of dislocation engineering on TiO2 and BaTiO3, specifically their photocatalytic activity. Using H2O2 synthesis as a benchmark reaction, we have demonstrated that single crystal metal oxides with high dislocation density can significantly elevate photocatalytic H2O2 production. This allows for producing industrially relevant concentrations of H2O2 without sacrificial agents, making dislocation engineering an exciting and promising approach for sustainable photocatalysis.
Please wait while we load your content...
