AI Article Synopsis
- Semiconductor photocatalysts have struggled with water splitting beyond 700 nm due to thermodynamic limits and activation barriers.
- Metallic photocatalysts can create electron-hole pairs through interband transitions, but their application for water splitting has been limited until now.
- Black tungsten nitride has been identified as the first metallic photocatalyst that works effectively for overall water splitting under red-light irradiation (up to 765 nm), opening new possibilities for using metallic materials in solar energy conversion.
Article Abstract
Semiconductor photocatalysts are hardly employed for overall water splitting beyond 700 nm, which is due to both thermodynamic aspects and activation barriers. Metallic materials as photocatalysts are known to overcome this limitation through interband transitions for creating electron-hole pairs; however, the application of metallic photocatalysts for overall water splitting has never been fulfilled. Black tungsten nitride is now employed as a metallic photocatalyst for overall water splitting at wavelengths of up to 765 nm. Experimental and theoretical results together confirm that metallic properties play a substantial role in exhibiting photocatalytic activity under red-light irradiation for tungsten nitride. This work represents the first red-light responsive photocatalyst for overall water splitting, and may open a promising venue in searching of metallic materials as efficient photocatalysts for solar energy utilization.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201702943 | DOI Listing |
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