A general interfacial-energetics-tuning strategy for enhanced artificial photosynthesis

The demands for cost-effective solar fuels have triggered extensive research in artificial photosynthesis, yet the efforts in designing high-performance particulate photocatalysts are largely impeded by inefficient charge separation. Because charge separation in a particulate photocatalyst is driven by asymmetric interfacial energetics between its reduction and oxidation sites, enhancing this process demands nanoscale tuning of interfacial energetics on the prerequisite of not impairing the kinetics and selectivity for surface reactions. In this study, we realize this target with a general strategy involving the application of a core/shell type cocatalyst that is demonstrated on various photocatalytic systems. The promising H2O2 generation efficiency validate our perspective on tuning interfacial energetics for enhanced charge separation and photosynthesis performance. Particularly, this strategy is highlighted on a BiVO4 system for overall H2O2 photosynthesis with a solar-to-H2O2 conversion of 0.73%.