Visible light driven photocatalysts with oxidative energy storage abilities

Abstract

Visible light driven photocatalysts, N-doped TiO₂, Fe(III)-modified TiO₂, WO₃, Cu(II)-modified WO₃ and Pt nanoparticle-loaded WO₃, were combined with Ni(OH)₂ as an oxidative energy storage material, to overcome two serious limitations of TiO₂ photocatalyst; it works only under light, and the light must contain UV. Among the photocatalysts examined, 1 wt% Pt-loaded WO₃/Ni(OH)₂ bilayer film exhibits the highest efficiency of oxidative energy storage under visible light (≥420 nm), sunlight and fluorescent light. The energy storage is possible even under 460 nm light. Other Pt-loaded WO₃ (0.1–10 wt%), Fe(III)-modified TiO₂ and Cu(II)-modified WO₃ also exhibit energy storage abilities under visible light when combined with Ni(OH)₂.