Expediting photocarrier separation in Ta3N5@CaTaO2N heterostructures with seamless interfaces for photocatalytic water oxidation under visible light

The separation of photocarriers (e- and h+) is of critical importance in initiating efficient catalytic reactions over semiconductor-based photocatalysts. Although heterostructures have been frequently built to separate photocarriers, the lack of proper heterogeneous interfaces greatly limits their efficacies. Here, we show that excellent heterogeneous interfaces can be built for in situ fabricated Ta3N5 @CaTaO2N heterostructures. These interfaces are characterized by perfectly matching (020) crystal facets of Ta3N5 and CaTaO2N, offering ideal channels for charge transportation. As revealed by both experimental and theoretical analysis, these seamless interfaces enable rapid spatial photocarrier separation, which in turn, contribute to exceptional photocatalytic activity. Under optimal conditions, Ta3N5 @CaTaO2N heterostructures achieve apparent quantum efficiency as high as 14.52% at 420 +/- 20 nm for O2-evolution, substantially surpassing Ta3N5, CaTaO2N, and their mixtures. These results not only justify the importance of heterogeneous interfaces for photocarrier separation but also invigorate more attention upon heterostructures towards efficient solar water splitting.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the importance of heterogeneous interfaces in separating photocarriers, showing that excellent heterogeneous interfaces can be built in Ta3N5@CaTaO2N heterostructures, enabling rapid spatial photocarrier separation and enhancing photocatalytic activity. It highlights the potential of heterostructures for efficient solar water splitting.