Investigation of gas phase photocatalysis on nanostructured semiconductor surfaces and its application toward artificial photosynthesis

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K18886
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Electrical and electronic engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Noda Kei 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 准教授 (30372569)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-06-30 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 半導体ナノ構造 / 光触媒 / 人工光合成

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Gas phase photocatalysis over nanostructured semiconductor surfaces and its application toward artificial photosynthesis such as hydrogen production and CO2 photoreduction were investigated.
Firstly, Composites of anodized hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanotube (FNT) arrays and Cu2O nanoparticles (CNPs) were fabricated using all-electrochemical processes. Hydrogen production from gas phase photocatalytic decomposition of water/methanol mixture over the composite of FNT and CNP was clearly confirmed under visible light irradiation, suggesting that H2 production observed for FNT/CNP can be attributed to Z-scheme mechanism.
In addition, gas-phase photocatalysis over composites of anodized TiO2 oxide nanotube arrays and CNPs was examined in high vacuum. The observation results indicate that electrodeposited CNPs can work as noble-metal-free co-catalyst for gas phase photocatalysis based on nanostructured oxide semiconductors.

Free Research Field

電子・電気材料工学、薄膜・固体物性

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、ワイドギャップ半導体材料を用いた光触媒や光電極による人工光合成の研究開発が世界的規模で急速に進展している。本研究では、それらの材料を活用して、気相光触媒反応場を対象とした人工光合成反応に関する新しい学術的知見を得るとともに、高機能光触媒メンブレンリアクターの実現に向けた有益な成果を得ることができた。これらの成果は太陽エネルギーの有効利用やCO2削減等に寄与し得る、社会的に意義のあるものと言える。