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Embedding Sulfur Atoms in Decahedron Bismuth Vanadate Crystals with a Soft Chemical Approach for Expanding the Light Absorption Range
Author(s) -
Zhao Yue,
Liu Taifeng,
Chen Ruotian,
Zeng Bin,
Tao Xiaoping,
Li Jianming,
Jin Xu,
Li Rengui,
Li Can
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201901865
Subject(s) - semiconductor , bismuth vanadate , photocurrent , materials science , band gap , absorption edge , absorption (acoustics) , optoelectronics , photocatalysis , visible spectrum , sulfur , nanotechnology , chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , metallurgy , composite material
Bandgap engineering of semiconductors attracts great attention in the field of photocatalysis to enhance the conversion efficiency of semiconductors. Introducing impurity atoms, such as nitrogen, sulfur and metal atoms, into the crystal lattice of semiconductors is one of the commonly used methods to broaden the light absorption range. However, traditional methods to embed impurity atoms require harsh conditions like high temperatures, which will destroy the morphology‐tailored structure of semiconductors in many cases. Herein, we demonstrated a soft chemical approach, hydrothermal method, to expand the light absorption range by introducing sulfur atoms in the typical semiconductor bismuth vanadate (BiVO 4 ). After embedding sulfur atoms, the light absorption edge of BiVO 4 crystals can be expanded from 530 nm to more than 650 nm, while, the decahedron morphology with exposed {010} and {110} facets of BiVO 4 crystals was still well‐maintained. The sulfur‐embedded BiVO 4 crystals show photocurrent response even under longer wavelengths than 550 nm and also exhibit an evident enhancement than pristine BiVO 4 in photoelectrochemical performances under visible light. Our work offers a strategy for manipulating the band structures of semiconductors for applications in solar energy conversion.