Researchers from the National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET) in Russia have developed a novel method to enhance the light absorption and photocatalytic properties of a specific type of crystal, potentially improving its utility in solar energy conversion. The team, led by Andrei Ushkov and including Nadezhda Belozerova, Gleb Tikhonowski, and others, has published their findings in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
The researchers focused on a material called Cadmium Phosphorus Trisulfide (CdPS3), which has a wide bandgap that limits its ability to absorb visible light. To overcome this limitation, they employed a technique known as femtosecond pulsed laser ablation in liquid (fs-PLAL). This process involves using ultra-short laser pulses to ablate, or vaporize, the material in a liquid environment. The choice of liquid, or solvent, plays a crucial role in determining the final properties of the material.
By ablating CdPS3 in water, the researchers found that the original crystal structure of the material was preserved. However, when they used isopropanol—a reducing agent—as the solvent, the process triggered the formation of Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) quantum dots and metallic cadmium defect sites. This transformation effectively converted the ultraviolet-active CdPS3 into a visible-light-active photocatalyst. The resulting hybrid CdPS3/CdS nanocolloids demonstrated superior charge separation efficiency, achieving approximately 90% degradation of Methylene Blue under green light irradiation within 30 minutes.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are significant. By tuning the phase and optoelectronic properties of CdPS3, the researchers have created a more efficient photocatalyst that can harness visible light, which makes up a substantial portion of the solar spectrum. This could lead to more efficient solar energy conversion devices, such as photovoltaic cells or photocatalytic systems for water splitting or environmental remediation.
Moreover, the fs-PLAL method offers a scalable and surfactant-free approach to defect engineering in complex ternary layered materials. This could pave the way for the development of new, high-performance metal-thiophosphate-based photocatalysts tailored for specific energy applications. The researchers’ work highlights the potential of solvent-directed laser synthesis as a versatile tool for enhancing the properties of materials used in solar energy conversion and other energy-related technologies.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.