{"title":"First principles study on photocatalytic water decomposition of ZnO/WS2 heterojunctions","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.susc.2024.122616","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The generation of clean energy hydrogen through solar-driven water decomposition is an effective solution to the current global energy shortage and environmental pollution. In this paper, ZnO/WS<sub>2</sub> heterojunction is constructed based on first-principles. The effect of uniaxial strain and vacancy defects (V<sub>Zn</sub>, V<sub>O</sub>, V<sub>S</sub>, V<sub>2S</sub>) on electronic and optical properties of ZnO/WS<sub>2</sub> heterojunction are calculated. The results indicate that the bandgap of the heterojunction is decreased and the visible absorption range is expanding. Additionally, the built-in electric field of the heterojunction is determined to be oriented from ZnO to WS<sub>2</sub>, which enhances the efficiency of carrier separation. Band-edge position analysis indicates that ZnO/WS<sub>2</sub> heterojunctions exhibit good redox water properties under an applied compressive strain of −2 %. Finally, the visible light absorption range of the heterostructures is also expanded by introducing V<sub>S</sub> and V<sub>2S</sub> vacancy defects. However, it exhibits a superior ability to oxidize and reduce water only under V<sub>Zn</sub> defects. The corresponding photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/WS<sub>2</sub> heterojunctions is discussed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":22100,"journal":{"name":"Surface Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Surface Science","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039602824001675","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The generation of clean energy hydrogen through solar-driven water decomposition is an effective solution to the current global energy shortage and environmental pollution. In this paper, ZnO/WS2 heterojunction is constructed based on first-principles. The effect of uniaxial strain and vacancy defects (VZn, VO, VS, V2S) on electronic and optical properties of ZnO/WS2 heterojunction are calculated. The results indicate that the bandgap of the heterojunction is decreased and the visible absorption range is expanding. Additionally, the built-in electric field of the heterojunction is determined to be oriented from ZnO to WS2, which enhances the efficiency of carrier separation. Band-edge position analysis indicates that ZnO/WS2 heterojunctions exhibit good redox water properties under an applied compressive strain of −2 %. Finally, the visible light absorption range of the heterostructures is also expanded by introducing VS and V2S vacancy defects. However, it exhibits a superior ability to oxidize and reduce water only under VZn defects. The corresponding photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/WS2 heterojunctions is discussed.
期刊介绍:
Surface Science is devoted to elucidating the fundamental aspects of chemistry and physics occurring at a wide range of surfaces and interfaces and to disseminating this knowledge fast. The journal welcomes a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to:
• model systems (e.g. in Ultra High Vacuum) under well-controlled reactive conditions
• nanoscale science and engineering, including manipulation of matter at the atomic/molecular scale and assembly phenomena
• reactivity of surfaces as related to various applied areas including heterogeneous catalysis, chemistry at electrified interfaces, and semiconductors functionalization
• phenomena at interfaces relevant to energy storage and conversion, and fuels production and utilization
• surface reactivity for environmental protection and pollution remediation
• interactions at surfaces of soft matter, including polymers and biomaterials.
Both experimental and theoretical work, including modeling, is within the scope of the journal. Work published in Surface Science reaches a wide readership, from chemistry and physics to biology and materials science and engineering, providing an excellent forum for cross-fertilization of ideas and broad dissemination of scientific discoveries.