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Enhancing Charge Separation in Photocatalysts with Internal Polar Electric Fields
Author(s) -
Lou Zaizhu,
Wang Peng,
Huang Baibiao,
Dai Ying,
Qin Xiaoyan,
Zhang Xiaoyang,
Wang Zeyan,
Liu Yuanyuan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemphotochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2367-0932
DOI - 10.1002/cptc.201600057
Subject(s) - electric field , photocatalysis , polar , materials science , electron , charge carrier , chemical physics , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , chemistry , physics , catalysis , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , astronomy
The main limitations on photocatalytic efficiency are the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes and a narrow light response. In this Minireview, we focused on photocatalytic materials with an internal polar electric field. The development and application of these compounds is one of the most efficient strategies to promote the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, leading to high photocatalytic efficiency. This Minireview describes the fundamental operating principles of photocatalysts with a built‐in polar electric field and discusses the mechanism for polar‐electric‐field‐enhanced charge separation. We also review recent reports on photocatalytic systems using an internal polar electric field to separate photogenerated electrons and holes, focusing particularly on layer‐structure polar photocatalysts, silver silicates, and single‐crystal ZnO photocatalysts. Charge separation enhanced by an internal polar electric field provides the basis for designing new high efficiency photocatalysts.