N-NaTaO3@Ta3N5 Core-Shell Heterojunction with Controlled Interface Boosts Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Ta3N5 is a promising material for photocatalytic hydrogen production from water because of its suitable band structure for both solar energy collection and overall water splitting, while its application is restricted by severe charge recombination as well as non-equilibrium redox capabilities. Herein, atomic-scale N-doped NaTaO3@Ta3N5 (N-NaTaO3@Ta3N5) core-shell cubes prepared by nitridation of cubic NaTaO3 are reported. The core-shell heterojunction cubes present efficient and stoichiometric evolution of H-2 and O-2 from photocatalytic overall water splitting, with a quantum efficiency of 2.18% at 550 nm without any cocatalyst. The success relies on the Ta3N5 shell having a thickness of only approximate to 5 nm which enables increased lifetimes of the photogenerated charges. Moreover, the core-shell heterojunction shows a type-I band alignment that can steer smooth charge flow from N-NaTaO3 to Ta3N5, particularly with the assistance of the shared communal Ta atoms at the interface. This efficiency can be further improved to 6.28% by in situ deposition of a Rh@Cr2O3 core-shell cocatalyst, which is among the highest reported values over Ta3N5-based photocatalyst. This study offers a promising pathway for the construction of well-defined heterojunctions with manipulated charge transfer behavior for photocatalytic overall water splitting.

Automated summary

In this study, atomic-scale N-doped NaTaO3@Ta3N5 core-shell cubes were prepared by nitridation of cubic NaTaO3. The core-shell heterojunctions exhibited efficient and stoichiometric evolution of H2 and O2 from photocatalytic overall water splitting, with a quantum efficiency of 2.18% at 550 nm. The successful performance was attributed to the thin Ta3N5 shell, increased lifetimes of the photogenerated charges, and the type-I band alignment that promoted smooth charge flow from N-NaTaO3 to Ta3N5. The efficiency was further improved to 6.28% by in situ deposition of a Rh@Cr2O3 core-shell cocatalyst.