Effect of Surface Cations on Photoelectric Conversion Property of Nanosized Zirconia

Cubic-phase zirconia nanoparticles modified with univalent surface cations have been prepared through a low-temperature solvothermal method. The obtained products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The surface of the nanoparticles has also been modified by divalent and trivalent cations, such as Mg2+ and Al3+, via ion exchange. The surface photovoltage (SPV) spectroscopy and surface photocurrent (SPC) spectroscopy measurements show that the surface cations on nanoscaled ZrO2 exert significant influence on the generation of charge carriers and the transportation of the generated charge carriers between nanoparticles. The effect of surface cations on the photoelectric conversion properties of the zirconia nanoparticles has been elucidated on the basis of theoretical calculation.