Enhancement and Stability of Photovoltaic and Photocatalytic Properties of Α-Cu2v2o7 by Constructing Heterophase Structures

Abstract

The electronic band structure and crystal structure are two important factors for high efficient separation of photogenrated charges and excellent heat shock resistance. It is challenge to simultaneously improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges and adjust the thermal expansion coefficient for normal photoelectric materials. Here, Li+ is introduced into a multifunctional α-Cu2V2O7 to substitute Cu2+ for adjusting crystal structure and electronic band structure. With increasing Li content, the heterophase structures of α-Cu2V2O7/β-Cu2V2O7 are formed with enhanced and stabilized photovoltaic and photocatalytic properties. The energy level matching between α-Cu2V2O7 and β-Cu2V2O7 contributes to the photogenerated charges separation and the gradually weakened transverse vibrations of V-O-V adjust thermal expansion coefficient, resulting in the stabilized and enhanced photogenerated charges separation efficiency.

Keywords: Negative thermal expansion, Photoelectric and photocatalytic properties, Heterophase structure, Energy level matching