Micro-terminal regulation in nanoreactors for the construction of tantalum pentoxide single-crystal ordered networks with promoting enhanced hydrogen evolution performance

Abstract

• Single-crystal ordered networks of Ta 2 O 5 was constructed by micro-terminal regulation. • Single-crystal ordered networks reduce carrier recombination rate at grain boundaries. • The SCON-Ta 2 O 5 exhibits a considerably improved photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity. The ordered macroporous structure of photocatalytic semiconductors can enable smooth mass transfer, high hydrogen release efficiency and multiple reaction site interfaces. Remote electronic communications and structural continuity are necessary to achieve these goals. The single-crystal ordered network structures are ideal candidates to meet the above requirements. However, fabricating such continuous single-crystal structures is very challenging due to the rapid formation of grain boundaries. In this study, highly ordered poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was chosen as hosts to build a nanoreactor. A micro-terminal was developed in nanoreactors to generate the suitable growth environment for single-crystal ordered networks of Ta 2 O 5 (SCON-Ta 2 O 5 ). By regulation of the nanoreactor space, the effect of mass transfer channel and carrier migration distance on the photocatalytic performance of SCON-Ta 2 O 5 was systematically investigated. A substantially improved photocatalytic hydrogen performance was realized on SCON-Ta 2 O 5 . Thus, SCON-Ta 2 O 5 has a great potential in other applications and this general synthetic strategy could extend the possibility of macroporous single-crystal growth to other functional semiconductors.