Defect Driven Opto-Critical Phases Tuned for All-Solar Utilization.

Jeem, Melbert; Hayano, Ayaka; Miyashita, Hiroto; Nishimura, Mahiro; Fukuroi, Kohei; Lin, Hsueh-I; Zhang, Lihua; Watanabe, Seiichi · Adv Mater · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Materials imbued with uniformly dispersed, photo-responsive nanoparticles are instrumental in sustainable energy and photonic applications. Conventional methods, however, constrain their all-solar response. An innovative alternative is proposed: submerged photo-synthesis of crystallites (SPsC). It is shown that strategic doping with copper and oxygen vacancies can induce opto-critical phases from the nonstoichiometric tungstic acids (WO<sub>3</sub> ·H<sub>2</sub> O). These opto-critical phases enable a dynamic equilibrium shift in lattice defect stabilization, facilitating an unprecedented a whole solar wavelength response. This response manifests as photothermal, photo-assisted water evaporation, and photo-electrochemical characteristics. Harnessing all-solar energy, this one-pot SPsC strategy may steer the design and development of advanced oxide materials, enhancing functionality across diverse application domains.