Defect‐Tailoring Mediated Electron–Hole Separation in Single‐Unit‐Cell Bi 3 O 4 Br Nanosheets for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Nitrogen Fixation

Abstract Solar photocatalysis is a potential solution to satisfying energy demand and its resulting environmental impact. However, the low electron–hole separation efficiency in semiconductors has slowed the development of this technology. The effect of defects on electron–hole separation is not always clear. A model atomically thin structure of single‐unit‐cell Bi 3 O 4 Br nanosheets with surface defects is proposed to boost photocatalytic efficiency by simultaneously promoting bulk‐ and surface‐charge separation. Defect‐rich single‐unit‐cell Bi 3 O 4 Br displays 4.9 and 30.9 times enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and nitrogen fixation activity, respectively, than bulk Bi 3 O 4 Br. After the…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: ACI‐1053575, DMR160118
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• NR
  National Research Foundation Singapore

  Awards: NRF‐RF2013‐08, Tier 1 2017‐T1‐001‐075, MOE2016‐T2‐1‐131, MOE2018‐T3‐1‐002
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 21576123, 21676128