Strain engineering of two-dimensional piezophotocatalytic materials for improved hydrogen evolution reaction

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers exhibit great photocatalytic performances and tunabilities. By using first-principles simulations based on density functional theory, we demonstrate here that external electric bias can be employed to further improve the photocatalytic hydrogen produ...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Liu, Zhao, Wang, Biao, Cazorla Silva, Claudio|||0000-0002-6501-4513
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/386286
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/386286
https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c05838
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Strain theory (Chemistry)
Piezo-photocatalysis
Transition metal dichalcogenides
Strain engineering
Hydrogen production
Density functional theory
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física
Descripción
Sumario:Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers exhibit great photocatalytic performances and tunabilities. By using first-principles simulations based on density functional theory, we demonstrate here that external electric bias can be employed to further improve the photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiencies of the six AB2 (A = Mo, W and B = S, Se, Te) TMDC monolayers since these are influenced by their piezoelectric response. In particular, when subjected to a proper amount of electrically induced tensile biaxial strain, most TMDC monolayers turn into potentially ideal photocatalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The beneficial effects of introducing tensile biaxial strain on the TMDC monolayers are not limited to the reduction of the band gap and proper adjustment of the band edge positions; the concomitant hydrogen adsorption free energies are also modified in such a way that the HER reaction is noticeably favored.