title: Investigation of the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of Ni-Al LDH photocatalysts.
abstract: Layered double hydroxide (LDH) photocatalysts, including Ni-Al LDH, are active for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 in water under UV light irradiation. In this study, we found that a series of LDHs exhibited anodic photocurrent which is a characteristic feature corresponding to n-type materials. Also, we estimated the potentials of photogenerated electrons and holes for LDHs, which are responsible for the photocatalytic reactions, using electrochemical techniques. The flat band potential of the Ni-Al LDH photocatalyst was estimated to be -0.40 V vs. NHE (pH = 0), indicating that the potential of the photogenerated electron is sufficient to reduce CO2 to CO. Moreover, we revealed that the flat band potentials of M(2+)-M(3+) LDH are clearly influenced by the type of trivalent metal (M(3+)) components.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. teramura@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. teramura@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Soichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikkawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. teramura@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp and Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts & Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University, 1-30 Goryo-Ohara, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8245, Japan and Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teramura
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. teramura@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp and Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts & Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University, 1-30 Goryo-Ohara, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8245, Japan.
authors.forename: Saburo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan. teramura@moleng.kyoto-u.ac.jp and Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts & Batteries (ESICB), Kyoto University, 1-30 Goryo-Ohara, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8245, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsunehiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka