Ultrafast charge transfer coupled to quantum proton motion at molecule/metal oxide interface
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2022-06-17
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Abstract
Understanding how the nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) in the hydrogen bond (H-bond) network influence the photoexcited charge transfer at semiconductor/molecule interface is a challenging problem. By combining two kinds of emerging molecular dynamics methods at the ab initio level, the path integral-based molecular dynamics and time-dependent nonadiabatic molecular dynamics, and choosing CH3OH/TiO2 as a prototypical system to study, we find that the quantum proton motion in the H-bond network is strongly coupled with the ultrafast photoexcited charge dynamics at the interface. The hole trapping ability of the adsorbed methanol molecule is notably enhanced by the NQEs, and thus, it behaves as a hole scavenger on titanium dioxide. The critical role of the H-bond network is confirmed by in situ scanning tunneling microscope measurements with ultraviolet light illumination. It is concluded the quantum proton motion in the H-bond network plays a critical role in influencing the energy conversion efficiency based on photoexcitation.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
8 (24)
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
AAAS