In:
Nanotechnology, IOP Publishing, Vol. 32, No. 19 ( 2021-05-07), p. 195702-
Abstract:
Evaluating the stability of semiconductor photocatalysts is critical in the development of efficient catalysts. The morphological and microstructural behaviors of nanorod-shaped Bi 2 S 3 semiconductors in aqueous solution were studied using a liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. The rapid decomposition of Bi 2 S 3 in water was observed under electron beam irradiation during TEM. Rounded bright spots due to a reduction in thickness were observed on the Bi 2 S 3 nanorods at the initial stage of the decomposition, and rounded dark particles appeared outside of the nanorods in the solution, continuing the decomposition. This was confirmed by analyzing the atomic structure of the newly formed small particles, which consisted of an orthorhombic Bi 2 S 3 phase. The stability-related decomposition of the Bi 2 S 3 nanorods was demonstrated by considering the reduction and oxidation potentials of Bi 2 S 3 in an aqueous solution. The effect of water radiolysis by the incident electron during TEM observations on the decomposition process was also determined by considering the time-dependent concentration behavior of the chemical species. Our study therefore reflects a novel route to evaluate the stabilities of semiconductor photocatalysts, which could ultimately solve a range of energy and environmental pollution problems.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0957-4484
,
1361-6528
DOI:
10.1088/1361-6528/abe150
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
IOP Publishing
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1362365-5
SSG:
11
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