Highly Efficient Visible Light Catalysts Driven by Ti³⁺‐V_O‐2Ti⁴⁺‐N³⁻ Defect Clusters

Abstract

Local defect structures play significant roles on material properties, but they are seriously neglected in the design, synthesis, and development of highly efficient TiO2‐based visible light catalysts (VLCs). Here, we take anatase TiO2 nanocrystals that contain (Ti3+, N3−) ions and have the complicated chemical formula of (Ti1-normalx4+Tix3+ )(normalO2-normaly-normalz2-normalNy3- □z) as an example, and point out that the formation of Ti3+‐VO‐2Ti4+‐N3− local defect clusters is a key missing step for significantly enhancing VLC properties of host TiO2 nanocrystals. Experimental and theoretical investigations also demonstrate the emergent behaviors of these intentionally introduced defect clusters for developing highly efficient VLCs. This research thus not only provides highly efficient visible light catalysts for various practical applications but also addresses the significance of local defect structures on modifying material properties.

Microwave Dielectric Materials with Defect-Dipole Clusters Induced Colossal Permittivity and Ultra-low Loss

“…22−24 We have previously demonstrated a new defect chemistry design strategy 25−27 incorporated with other ″easy dopants″ to form unique correlated defect clusters that either significantly change the performance of functional materials or create a new functionality through the interaction between these two dopants. This strategy has been successfully applied to develop high-performance photocatalysts 26,27 and various polar functional materials. 28−31 As far as we know, this new defect chemistry strategy has not yet been used to develop microwave dielectric materials.…”

“…Besides dielectric properties, BaSnO 3 has also been studied as a promising material for gas sensors, optoelectronic devices, etc . − As a typical perovskite material, the properties of BaSnO 3 can be tailored by the substitution of various ions for Ba 2+ or Sn 4+ cations. For instance, BaSnO 3 was turned into a semiconductor by doping La in the Ba-site or Fe in the Sn-site. , What’s more, it was recently found that introducing co-doping ions into host materials is a promising and powerful strategy to greatly change the polarization behavior of single metal oxides; e.g., the introduction of electron-pinned defect clusters induced colossal permittivity observed in (In+Nb) co-doped TiO 2 . − We have previously demonstrated a new defect chemistry design strategy − by which the ″difficult dopants″the ions alone that are difficult to be doped withare synergistically incorporated with other ″easy dopants″ to form unique correlated defect clusters that either significantly change the performance of functional materials or create a new functionality through the interaction between these two dopants. This strategy has been successfully applied to develop high-performance photocatalysts , and various polar functional materials. − As far as we know, this new defect chemistry strategy has not yet been used to develop microwave dielectric materials.…”