Formation of a p‐n heterojunction photocatalyst by the interfacing of graphitic carbon nitride and delafossite CuGaO2

Abstract

AbstractPhotocatalysts have focused on scientific endeavors for five decades already. Their ability to generate solar fuel via relatively environmentally benign processes brings promises of a future with increasingly sustainable energy production. A class of materials, heterojunction (HJ) semiconductors, have immense potential due to their versatility, stability, and cost‐effectiveness. In addition, meticulous engineering of p‐n HJ enables the apparition of an electric field at the junction, a supplementary driving force that drives the charge carriers to separate effectively upon illumination. Therefore, we combined n‐type carbon nitride with p‐type CuGaO2 to form a photo‐active p‐n HJ. Mechanistic insights being highly sought‐after, we then employed X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy as complementary and orbital‐specific techniques to probe the changes caused by interfacing CuGaO2 with g‐C3N4.