Details
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 294 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-31 |
Number of pages | 31 |
Journal | Catalysts |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 23 Feb 2021 |
Abstract
In our review we consider the results on the development and exploration of heterostructured photoactive materials with major attention focused on what are the better ways to form this type of materials and how to explore them correctly. Regardless of what type of heterostructure, metal–semiconductor or semiconductor–semiconductor, is formed, its functionality strongly depends on the quality of heterojunction. In turn, it depends on the selection of the heterostructure components (their chemical and physical properties) and on the proper choice of the synthesis method. Several examples of the different approaches such as in situ and ex situ, bottom‐up and top‐down, are reviewed. At the same time, even if the synthesis of heterostructured photoactive materials seems to be successful, strong experimental physical evidence demonstrating true heterojunction formation are required. A possibility for obtaining such evidence using different physical techniques is discussed. Particularly, it is demonstrated that the ability of optical spectroscopy to study heterostructured materials is in fact very limited. At the same time, such experimental techniques as high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electrophysical methods (work function measurements and impedance spectroscopy) present a true signature of heterojunction formation. Therefore, whatever the purpose of heterostructure formation and studies is, the application of HRTEM and electrophysical methods is necessary to confirm that formation of the heterojunction was successful.
Keywords
- Heterojunctions, Heterostructures, Photoactive materials, Photocatalysis, Photoelectrochemistry, Solar energy conversion
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Catalysis
- Chemistry(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Cite this
- Standard
- Harvard
- Apa
- Vancouver
- BibTeX
- RIS
In: Catalysts, Vol. 11, No. 2, 294, 23.02.2021, p. 1-31.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Photoactive Heterostructures
T2 - How They Are Made and Explored
AU - Emeline, Alexei V.
AU - Rudakova, Aida V.
AU - Mikhaylov, Ruslan V.
AU - Bulanin, Kirill M.
AU - Bahnemann, Detlef W.
N1 - Funding information: This research was funded by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 18?29? 23035_mk) and Saint?Petersburg State University (ID: 73032813). Acknowledgments: Preparation of this review article was performed within the activities of the Laboratory “Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials” established in Saint Petersburg University (ID: 73032813) A.V.E. and A.V.R. are also grateful for financial support provided by the Russian Foun? dation for Basic Research to explore heterostructured photoactive materials (Grant No. 18?29?23035 mk). This research was funded by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 18?29? 23035_mk) and Saint?Petersburg State University (ID: 73032813).
PY - 2021/2/23
Y1 - 2021/2/23
N2 - In our review we consider the results on the development and exploration of heterostructured photoactive materials with major attention focused on what are the better ways to form this type of materials and how to explore them correctly. Regardless of what type of heterostructure, metal–semiconductor or semiconductor–semiconductor, is formed, its functionality strongly depends on the quality of heterojunction. In turn, it depends on the selection of the heterostructure components (their chemical and physical properties) and on the proper choice of the synthesis method. Several examples of the different approaches such as in situ and ex situ, bottom‐up and top‐down, are reviewed. At the same time, even if the synthesis of heterostructured photoactive materials seems to be successful, strong experimental physical evidence demonstrating true heterojunction formation are required. A possibility for obtaining such evidence using different physical techniques is discussed. Particularly, it is demonstrated that the ability of optical spectroscopy to study heterostructured materials is in fact very limited. At the same time, such experimental techniques as high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electrophysical methods (work function measurements and impedance spectroscopy) present a true signature of heterojunction formation. Therefore, whatever the purpose of heterostructure formation and studies is, the application of HRTEM and electrophysical methods is necessary to confirm that formation of the heterojunction was successful.
AB - In our review we consider the results on the development and exploration of heterostructured photoactive materials with major attention focused on what are the better ways to form this type of materials and how to explore them correctly. Regardless of what type of heterostructure, metal–semiconductor or semiconductor–semiconductor, is formed, its functionality strongly depends on the quality of heterojunction. In turn, it depends on the selection of the heterostructure components (their chemical and physical properties) and on the proper choice of the synthesis method. Several examples of the different approaches such as in situ and ex situ, bottom‐up and top‐down, are reviewed. At the same time, even if the synthesis of heterostructured photoactive materials seems to be successful, strong experimental physical evidence demonstrating true heterojunction formation are required. A possibility for obtaining such evidence using different physical techniques is discussed. Particularly, it is demonstrated that the ability of optical spectroscopy to study heterostructured materials is in fact very limited. At the same time, such experimental techniques as high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electrophysical methods (work function measurements and impedance spectroscopy) present a true signature of heterojunction formation. Therefore, whatever the purpose of heterostructure formation and studies is, the application of HRTEM and electrophysical methods is necessary to confirm that formation of the heterojunction was successful.
KW - Heterojunctions
KW - Heterostructures
KW - Photoactive materials
KW - Photocatalysis
KW - Photoelectrochemistry
KW - Solar energy conversion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101368407&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/catal11020294
DO - 10.3390/catal11020294
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85101368407
VL - 11
SP - 1
EP - 31
JO - Catalysts
JF - Catalysts
SN - 2073-4344
IS - 2
M1 - 294
ER -