Impact of built-in potential across LaFeO3/SrTiO3 heterojunctions on photocatalytic activity

Polar-nonpolar interfaces between insulating LaFeO3 (LFO) and semiconducting SrTiO3 (STO) were investigated to elucidate effects of built-in potential on photocarrier dynamics during water oxidation reactions. The LFO films were grown on the TiO2- and SrO-terminated (001) Nb-doped STO substrates by using pulsed-laser deposition. The photocurrent-voltage curves varied depending on the interface termination. Potential profiles across the interface were established from these curves as well as capacitance-voltage curves. The presence of a depletion (accumulation) region near the SrO-(TiO2-) terminated interface facilitates (suppresses) the extraction of photocarriers generated in STO. On the other hand, the difference in the built-in potential in LFO barely reflects the magnitude of the photocurrent. Published by AIP Publishing.