Non-metal Doping for Band-Gap Engineering

Abstract

Non-metal doping appeared in 2001 as a promising alternative strategy to red-shift the absorption edge of TiO2 in photocatalytic applications. Since then, nearly all non-metals have been explored in single-element doping or codoping with other non-metal, a metal, or even a metalloid. The chemical state, amount, and position of the non-metal depend on the dopant selection and the synthesis method, which determine the success of the doping strategy. A big amount of theoretical and experimental research is underway, being the achievement of higher activity under visible than under ultraviolet light the main challenge.