Effect of doped zinc species on the photocatalytic activity of gallium oxide for hydrogen production

Abstract

Zn-doped Ga₂O₃ samples were prepared by a homogeneous precipitation (HP) method, and the local structures of Zn ions and their photocatalytic activities for hydrogen production were examined. In the sample with low doping amount, the Zn²⁺ ions substituted for the Ga³⁺ ions in the Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst and enhanced the photocatalytic activity, since they would improve the migration of the photoexcited electrons in the conduction band of the Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst. In the sample with high doping amount, the Zn ions formed a composite ZnGa₂O₄ phase in the bulk of the Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst to decrease the photocatalytic activity in the present reaction.