Band Alignment and Controllable Electron Migration between Rutile and Anatase TiO2.

ABSTRACT: TiO2 is the most promising semiconductor for photocatalytic splitting of water for hydrogen and degradation of pollutants. The highly photocatalytic active form is its mixed phase of two polymorphs anatase and rutile rather than their pristine compositions. Such a synergetic effect is understood by the staggered band alignment favorable to spatial charge separation. However, electron migration in either direction between the two phases has been reported, the reason of which is still unknown. We determined the band alignment by a novel method, i.e., transient infrared absorption-excitation energy scanning spectra, showing their conduction bands being aligned, thus the electron migration direction is controlled by dynamical factors, such as varying the particle size of anatase, putting elect

SUBMITTER: Mi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4500998 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature