Lattice distortion induced internal electric field in TiO2 photoelectrode for efficient charge separation and transfer

Yuxiang Hu, Yuanyuan Pan, Zhiliang Wang (), Tongen Lin, Yuying Gao, Bin Luo, Han Hu, Fengtao Fan, Gang Liu () and Lianzhou Wang ()
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Yuxiang Hu: The University of Queensland
Yuanyuan Pan: China University of Petroleum (East China)
Zhiliang Wang: The University of Queensland
Tongen Lin: The University of Queensland
Yuying Gao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bin Luo: The University of Queensland
Han Hu: China University of Petroleum (East China)
Fengtao Fan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gang Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lianzhou Wang: The University of Queensland

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Providing sufficient driving force for charge separation and transfer (CST) is a critical issue in photoelectrochemical (PEC) energy conversion. Normally, the driving force is derived mainly from band bending at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface but negligible in the bulk. To boost the bulky driving force, we report a rational strategy to create effective electric field via controllable lattice distortion in the bulk of a semiconductor film. This concept is verified by the lithiation of a classic TiO2 (Li-TiO2) photoelectrode, which leads to significant distortion of the TiO6 unit cells in the bulk with well-aligned dipole moment. A remarkable internal built-in electric field of ~2.1 × 102 V m−1 throughout the Li-TiO2 film is created to provide strong driving force for bulky CST. The photoelectrode demonstrates an over 750% improvement of photocurrent density and 100 mV negative shift of onset potential upon the lithiation compared to that of pristine TiO2 film.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15993-4

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