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An Unusual Strong Visible‐Light Absorption Band in Red Anatase TiO 2 Photocatalyst Induced by Atomic Hydrogen‐Occupied Oxygen Vacancies
Author(s) -
Yang Yongqiang,
Yin LiChang,
Gong Yue,
Niu Ping,
Wang JianQiang,
Gu Lin,
Chen Xingqiu,
Liu Gang,
Wang Lianzhou,
Cheng HuiMing
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201704479
Subject(s) - materials science , visible spectrum , band gap , anatase , absorption (acoustics) , photochemistry , hydrogen , photocatalysis , absorbance , oxygen , optoelectronics , water splitting , semiconductor , absorption spectroscopy , optics , chemistry , catalysis , physics , biochemistry , organic chemistry , composite material
Increasing visible light absorption of classic wide‐bandgap photocatalysts like TiO 2 has long been pursued in order to promote solar energy conversion. Modulating the composition and/or stoichiometry of these photocatalysts is essential to narrow their bandgap for a strong visible‐light absorption band. However, the bands obtained so far normally suffer from a low absorbance and/or narrow range. Herein, in contrast to the common tail‐like absorption band in hydrogen‐free oxygen‐deficient TiO 2 , an unusual strong absorption band spanning the full spectrum of visible light is achieved in anatase TiO 2 by intentionally introducing atomic hydrogen‐mediated oxygen vacancies. Combining experimental characterizations with theoretical calculations reveals the excitation of a new subvalence band associated with atomic hydrogen filled oxygen vacancies as the origin of such band, which subsequently leads to active photo‐electrochemical water oxidation under visible light. These findings could provide a powerful way of tailoring wide‐bandgap semiconductors to fully capture solar light.