Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) for visible-light-driven overall water splitting by calcination under nitrogen

The activity of RhyCr2−yO3-loaded (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) photocatalyst for overall water splitting under visible light is enhanced by N2 calcination of (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) at 673 K, achieving an apparent quantum efficiency of 2.0% at 420–440 nm. The enhancement in activity is attributable to a decrease in the density of defects acting as recombination centers for photogenerated electrons and holes.