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Photocatalytic Self‐Doped SnO 2− x Nanocrystals Drive Visible‐Light‐Responsive Color Switching
Author(s) -
Han Dan,
Jiang Baolai,
Feng Ji,
Yin Yadong,
Wang Wenshou
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201702563
Subject(s) - visible spectrum , doping , photomask , materials science , photochromism , optoelectronics , photochemistry , nanocrystal , absorption (acoustics) , photocatalysis , nanotechnology , chemistry , resist , catalysis , biochemistry , layer (electronics) , composite material
Visible‐light‐responsive reversible color‐switching systems are attractive to many applications because visible light has superior penetration and causes far less damage to organic molecules than UV. Herein, we report that self‐doping of SnO 2− x nanocrystals with Sn 2+ red‐shifts their absorption to the visible region and simultaneously produces oxygen vacancies, which can effectively scavenge photogenerated holes and thus enable the color switching of redox dyes using visible light. Wavelength‐selective switching can also be achieved by coupling the photocatalytic activity of the SnO 2− x NCs with the color‐switching kinetics of different redox dyes. The fast light response enables the further fabrication of a solid film that can be repeatedly written on using a visible laser pen or projection printing through a photomask. This discovery represents a big step forward towards practical applications, especially in areas in which safety issues and photodamage by UV light are of concern.