How Do Electron-Hole Interactions Affect Photocatalysis?
In photocatalysis, light absorption by a semiconductor catalyst generates electron-hole pairs. These pairs can migrate to the catalyst surface and participate in redox reactions. The efficiency of a photocatalyst depends on the ability of the material to separate and transport these charge carriers without significant recombination. Effective separation and migration of electron-hole pairs can enhance the photocatalytic activity by providing more charge carriers for the surface reactions. Conversely, rapid recombination of these pairs can reduce the number of reactive species and lower the photocatalytic efficiency.
