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Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Nitrogen‐Doped ZnO for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Author(s) -
Chen Chih Kai,
Shen YenPing,
Chen Hao Ming,
Chen ChihJung,
Chan TingShan,
Lee JyhFu,
Liu RuShi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201301310
Subject(s) - water splitting , chemistry , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , quantum dot , hydrogen , photocurrent , absorption edge , absorption spectroscopy , hydrogen production , spectroscopy , nanotechnology , photocatalysis , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , band gap , materials science , catalysis , optics , biochemistry , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , engineering
Fossil fuels have been used for several decades and have resulted in increased greenhouse gases and pollutants. Currently, clean and renewable energy is in demand. Hydrogen appears to be a good candidate for clean energy because the only product of its reaction with oxygen is water. Water splitting by solar energy is a potential method for the generation of hydrogen in future applications. This study investigates the use of a CdTe quantum‐dot‐sensitized ZnO:N nanowire arrays for water splitting. The proposed method resulted in considerably enhanced photocurrent and stability. The electronic structures of the ZnO:N materials are also determined by O K ‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The incorporation of nitrogen into the ZnO nanostructure is determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Zn K ‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy; the nitrogen incorporation changes the electronic state and, thus, increases the water‐splitting performance.