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Enhanced charge separation by oriented growth of Ta3N5-Cu2O n-p array heterojunction.
- Source :
-
Applied Physics Letters . Apr2019, Vol. 114 Issue 13, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 5p. 1 Diagram, 3 Graphs. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Tantalum nitride (Ta3N5) is one of the most promising photoresponsive semiconductor materials for efficient solar energy conversion, but its fast carrier recombination has hindered research progress severely. Fabricating a heterojunction structure is an effective strategy to promote the charge separation efficiency and thus enhance solar conversion efficiency. Herein, we designed a p-n heterojunction photoanode consisting of n-type Ta3N5 nanorod arrays (NRAs) that grew along the a-axis (light electron effective mass) and p-type Cu2O nanoparticles. This NRA heterojunction shortens the hole diffusion distance, transfers electrons along the a-axis effectively, and enlarges the space charge region. The heterojunction improves the charge separation efficiency of Ta3N5 NRAs significantly, and Ta3N5-Cu2O exhibits a photocurrent density of 9.19 mA cm−2 at 1.6 V vs normal hydrogen electrode (VNHE, pH = 0), an onset potential of 0.326 VNHE, and a maximum incident photon to current efficiency of 60% at 380 nm. Our results demonstrated a potential crystal oriented growth strategy of nanostructured heterojunctions for overcoming the short carrier diffusion distance and fast carrier recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *TANTALUM
*NITRIDES
*SEMICONDUCTORS
*SOLAR energy
*ENERGY conversion
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00036951
- Volume :
- 114
- Issue :
- 13
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Applied Physics Letters
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 135774213
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5092646