Unveiling the Origin of Co₃O₄ Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Spinel cobalt oxide displays excellent photocatalytic performance, especially in solar driven water oxidation. However, the process of water reduction to hydrogen is considered as the Achilles’ heel of solar water splitting over Co₃O₄ owing to its low conduction band. Enhancement of the water splitting efficiency using Co₃O₄ requires deeper insights of the carrier dynamics during water splitting process. Herein, the carrier dynamic kinetics of colloidal Co₃O₄ quantum dots-Pt hetero-junctions is studied, which mimics the hydrogen reduction process during water splitting. It is showed that the quantum confinement effect induced by the small QD size raised the conduction band edge position of Co₃O₄ QDs, so that the ligand-to-metal charge transfer from 2p state of oxygen to 3d state of Co²⁺ occurs, which is necessary for overall water splitting and cannot be achieved in Co₃O₄ bulk crystals. The findings in this work provide insights of the photocatalytic mechanism of Co₃O₄ catalysts and benefit rational design of Co₃O₄-based photocatalytic systems.