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    Theoretical insight into the strategy for high electron carrier concentration in Bi2WO6 with intrinsic point defects

    Aodi Zhang1,2, Hongbin Xu1,*, Hang Li2,†, Baoying Dou3, Chengyan Liu3, Wensheng Ding3, Qingsheng Wen4, and Wentao Wang1,‡

    • 1Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Nano-Material Science, School of Physics and Electron Science, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang 550018, China
    • 2School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
    • 3Henan Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Quantum Energy, School of Future Technology, Henan University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
    • 4Department of Physics, International Center for Quantum and Molecular Structures, Materials Genome Institute, Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China

    • *Contact author: xuhongbin@gznc.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: hang.li@vip.henu.edu.cn
    • ‡Contact author: wtwang@ gznc.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 113, 125203 – Published 18 March, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/jkj7-dnqj

    Abstract

    Bi2WO6 is a representative n-type photocatalyst; however, a comprehensive understanding is required to enhance its electron carrier concentration (ne). Considering intrinsic point defects, we calculate the formation energies, equilibrium Fermi-level positions, and defect/carrier concentrations of Bi2WO6 by hybrid functional calculations coupled with thermodynamic equilibrium simulations. Through formation energies calculation, we find that the VO (oxygen vacancy), VBi (bismuth vacancy), and BiW (bismuth occupies tungsten site) are the dominant intrinsic defects in Bi2WO6. The dopability results indicate that, unlike the ineffective doping of acceptor (A−), the donor (D+) doping can positively enhance the ne under O-poor conditions; however, this requires a high experimental cost of strict temperature or oxygen partial pressure (pO2). Inspiringly, the quench (from 923 to 300 K) strategy can address this issue. Using this strategy, (1) an optimal chemical potential region (OCPR) is obtained in which the ne is higher, without recombination centers and significant compensation. This suggests that the experimental synthesis conditions should be in OCPR; (2) the pO2 of OCPR ranges from 101.67p0(≈4.74×106Pa) to 10−10.53p0(≈3×10−6Pa), which includes standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm) conditions. Interestingly, ne can achieve approximately 1018cm−3 in OCPR at 300 K and 1 atm, thus significantly reducing the experimental cost; and (3) the doubly positive VO (VO2+) is a desirable donor defect consistent with the experiments, thus leading to ne>1018cm−3 in OCPR under O-poor conditions. Therefore, to obtain high ne in Bi2WO6, the following strategies should be applied simultaneously: D+ doping, quenching, and decreasing pO2, which is helpful for experimentally designing and synthesizing Bi2WO6.

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