Publication
Title
On the combination of ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy with optical absorption studies to investigate Cu₂O||TiO₂ direct Z-scheme junctions with different Cu₂O loading
Author
Abstract
Among the electronic properties, the positions of the electronic band edges and the work function are essential parameters for determining the potential of a photocatalyst and its ability to function in a solar conversion system. A novel type of photocatalysts, called direct Z-schemes, possesses many advantages over conventional heterojunctions, which all benefit the catalytic performance under solar light. As oxidation and reduction reactions are greatly affected by the electrical characteristics of the material, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) is a powerful tool to determine and quantify important electronic parameters of previously fabricated TiO2‖Cu2O junctions. TiO2 nanotubes modified with Cu2O nanoparticles exhibit a reduction in the value of the work function (WF = 3.67 ± 0.01 eV) and ionization potential (IP = 6.01 ± 0.04 eV) with respect to the TiO2 substrate (WF = 4.29 ± 0.02 eV and IP = 7.65 ± 0.05 eV). By varying the electrodeposition time, an optimized amount of deposited Cu2O nanoparticles was proven to reduce the WF and IP to facilitate the excitation of electrons, which could be correlated to the improved absorbance in the visible wavelength range. This work proposes a valuable methodology for band diagram tracing from UPS spectra and provides new insights in the relationship between synthesis, electronic properties and visible light absorption of titania based Z-schemes for photocatalytic applications with a combination of surface sensitive techniques and optical absorption studies.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Applied surface science. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2024
ISSN
0169-4332
DOI
10.1016/J.APSUSC.2024.159796
Volume/pages
657 (2024) , p. 1-12
Article Reference
159796
ISI
001216511600001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
The author-created version that incorporates referee comments and is the accepted for publication version Available from 07.09.2024
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
SYNergetic design of CATalytic materials for integrated photo- and electrochemical CO2 conversion processes (SYN-CAT).
Synergetic design of Catalytic materials for integrated photo- and electrochemical CO2 conversion processes (SYN-CAT).
Synergetic design of Catalytic materials for integrated photo- and electrochemical CO2 conversion processes (SYN-CAT).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 28.03.2024
Last edited 06.07.2024
To cite this reference