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Title: Synthesis of (Ga 1–x Zn x )(N 1–x O x ) with Enhanced Visible-Light Absorption and Reduced Defects by Suppressing Zn Volatilization

Abstract

(Ga1–x)(N1–x O x) (GZNO) particles with enhanced optical absorption were synthesized by topotactic transformation of Zn2+/Ga3+ layered double hydroxides. This outcome was achieved by suppressing Zn volatilization during nitridation by maintaining a low partial pressure of O2 (pO2). Zn-rich (x > 1/3) variants of GZNO were achieved and compared to those prepared by conventional ammonoylsis conditions. The optical absorption and structural properties of these samples were compared to those prepared in the absence of O2 by diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction methods. Notably, suppression of Zn volatilization leads to smaller-band-gap materials (2.30 eV for x = 0.42 versus 2.71 eV for x = 0.21) and reduced structural defects. This synthetic route and set of characterizations provide useful structure–property studies of GZNO and potentially other oxynitrides of interest as photocatalysts.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Org.:
NSFUNIVERSITY
OSTI Identifier:
1324786
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Inorganic Chemistry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 55; Journal Issue: 8; Journal ID: ISSN 0020-1669
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH
Subject:
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Citation Formats

Chen, Dennis P., and Skrabalak, Sara E. Synthesis of (Ga 1–x Zn x )(N 1–x O x ) with Enhanced Visible-Light Absorption and Reduced Defects by Suppressing Zn Volatilization. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02866.
Chen, Dennis P., & Skrabalak, Sara E. Synthesis of (Ga 1–x Zn x )(N 1–x O x ) with Enhanced Visible-Light Absorption and Reduced Defects by Suppressing Zn Volatilization. United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02866
Chen, Dennis P., and Skrabalak, Sara E. 2016. "Synthesis of (Ga 1–x Zn x )(N 1–x O x ) with Enhanced Visible-Light Absorption and Reduced Defects by Suppressing Zn Volatilization". United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02866.
@article{osti_1324786,
title = {Synthesis of (Ga 1–x Zn x )(N 1–x O x ) with Enhanced Visible-Light Absorption and Reduced Defects by Suppressing Zn Volatilization},
author = {Chen, Dennis P. and Skrabalak, Sara E.},
abstractNote = {(Ga1–x)(N1–x O x) (GZNO) particles with enhanced optical absorption were synthesized by topotactic transformation of Zn2+/Ga3+ layered double hydroxides. This outcome was achieved by suppressing Zn volatilization during nitridation by maintaining a low partial pressure of O2 (pO2). Zn-rich (x > 1/3) variants of GZNO were achieved and compared to those prepared by conventional ammonoylsis conditions. The optical absorption and structural properties of these samples were compared to those prepared in the absence of O2 by diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction methods. Notably, suppression of Zn volatilization leads to smaller-band-gap materials (2.30 eV for x = 0.42 versus 2.71 eV for x = 0.21) and reduced structural defects. This synthetic route and set of characterizations provide useful structure–property studies of GZNO and potentially other oxynitrides of interest as photocatalysts.},
doi = {10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02866},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1324786}, journal = {Inorganic Chemistry},
issn = {0020-1669},
number = 8,
volume = 55,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Mon Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}