Photodeposition of copper and chromia on gallium oxide: the role of co-catalysts in photocatalytic water splitting.

Split second: The photocatalytic activity of gallium oxide (β-Ga2 O3) depends strongly on the co-catalysts CuOx and chromia, which can be efficiently deposited in a stepwise manner by photoreduction of Cu(2+) and CrO4 (2-). The water-splitting activity can be tuned by varying the Cu loading in the range 0.025-1.5 wt %, whereas the Cr loading is not affecting the rate as long as small amounts (such as 0.05 wt %) are present. Chromia is identified as highly efficient co-catalyst in the presence of CuOx : it is essential for the oxidation of water.