title: A combination of two visible-light responsive photocatalysts for achieving the Z-scheme in the solid state.
abstract: The light reaction in natural photosynthesis is generally recognized as one of the most efficient mechanisms for converting solar energy into other energy sources. We report herein on a novel strategy for generating H(2) fuel via an artificial Z-scheme mechanism by mimicking the natural photosynthesis that occurs in green plants. Designing a desirable photocatalyst by mimicking the Z-scheme mechanism leads to a conduction band that is sufficiently high to reduce protons, thus decreasing the probability of charge recombination. We combined two visible light sensitive photocatalysts, CdS and carbon-doped TiO(2), with different band structures. The used of this combination, that is, CdS/Au/TiO(1.96)C(0.04), resulted in the successful transfer of photogenerated electrons to a higher energy level in the form of the letter 'Z'. The system produced about a 4 times higher amount of H(2) under irradiation by visible light than CdS/Au/TiO(2). The findings reported herein describe an innovative route to harvesting energy by mimicking natural photosynthesis, and is independent of fossil fuels.
authors.affiliation: World Class University Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy & Environment, Institute of Chemical Processes, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-741, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeong Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Hyunjoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nam Dong
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: David Minzae
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sungju
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jongheop
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances