Photocatalytic methane oxidation over a TiO₂/SiNWs p–n junction catalyst at room temperature

• Qui Thanh Hoai Ta,
• Luan Minh Nguyen,
• Ngoc Hoi Nguyen,
• Phan Khanh Thinh Nguyen and
• Dai Hai Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1132–1141, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.92

• recombination of charge carriers in semiconductors is a main drawback for photocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reactions. Herein, we propose a novel catalyst by developing a p–n junction titania–silicon nanowires (TiO2/SiNWs) heterostructure. The structure is fabricated by atomic layer deposition

• of TiO2 on p-type SiNWs. The TiO2/SiNWs heterostructure exhibited an outstanding OCM performance under simulated solar light irradiation compared to the single components. This enhanced efficiency was attributed to the intrinsic electrical field formed between n-type TiO2 and p-type SiNWs, which

• forces generated charge carriers to move in opposite directions and suppresses charge recombination. Besides, surface morphology and optical properties of the the p–n TiO2/SiNWs catalyst are also beneficial for the photocatalytic activity. It is expected that the results of this study will provide