Boron substitution enhanced activity of BxGa1−xAs/GaAs photocatalyst for water splitting

Photocatalytic visible water splitting is still impeded by slow kinetics of multi-electron-driven water oxidation, fast carrier recombination and insufficient light absorption of the photocatalyst. Herein, the core-shell heterojunction BxGa1−xAs/GaAs photocatalyst exhibited a remarkably promoted activity for hydrogen generation by direct dissociation of water molecule over boron site on catalyst surface due to redistributing electron density, as well as by promotion of visible absorption and acceleration of charge separation and transfer via a built-in electric field. B0.25Ga0.75As/GaAs photocatalyst exhibited hydrogen evolution rate of 8.4 μmol during 8 h from pure water without electron donor and applied bias.