Photocatalytic water splitting on Sm³⁺ doped CeO₂ with heterogeneous doping structure

Abstract

Photocatalytic water splitting is an important issue for sustainable production of hydrogen. In order to improve the photocatalytic activity, photoexcited charge separation plays one of the key factors. In our recent study, we found that the interface between CeO₂ and Sm³⁺ doped CeO₂ formed by heterogeneous doping of Sm³⁺ on CeO₂ surface act as separation sites of photoexcited charge. In this study, Sm₂O₃ nanoparticles were dispersed onto CeO₂ prepared by the flux method, and then heterogeneous doping structures were fabricated by heat-treatment and acid-treatment. Relation between the heterogeneous doping structure and photocatalytic activity is investigated.