Nanoscopic
heterojunction stacks are prevalent in nature as well
as in artificial material systems, such as the nanoscopically blended
components in soil or artificial catalytic layers on device surfaces.
Despite the enormous attention placed on studying individual heterojunctions,
the advantageous catalytic performance of heterojunction aggregates
has not been recognized. In this study, we employ the ordered N-doped
TiO2 nanosheets and Au nanoparticle heterojunction multilayers
obtained by a layer-by-layer technique to investigate the functional
merits stemmed from heterojunction aggregates. The study demonstrates
that nanoscopic heterojunction stacks promote the internal electric
field that stemmed from charge separation and boost carrier separations.
The aggregate-enhanced carrier separation can be harnessed in chemical
conversions. The enhancement effect is influenced by both the dimensions
of the entire aggregates as well as the dimensions of the nanoscopic
building units. We expect the study to promote the understanding of
heterojunction catalysts and corresponding matter conversion from
the individual particulate level to the nanoscopic aggregate level
and facilitate better harnessing of the photovoltaic effects or catalytic
power in nanoscopic heterojunction aggregates.
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