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Chen X, Li Y. Solution Processing Silicon Heterojunction Photocathode for Efficient and Stable Hydrogen Production. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400782. [PMID: 38644229 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Efficient and stable photocathodes are crucial for the development of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting devices. Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cell is one of the most advanced photovoltaic cells. However, due to the instability of its outermost indium tin oxide (ITO) layers in the electrolyte, a protective layer needs to be introduced on its surface. Previously reported high-quality protective layers almost all involved the use of expensive thin film manufacturing techniques such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this work, for the first time, a new strategy is proposed of modifying SHJ-based photocathode with yttrium hydroxide (Y(OH)3) through two-step solution methods to simultaneously improve the stability and activity. The optimized SHJ photocathode exhibits a high applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of 8.4% under simulated 100 mW cm-2 (1 Sun) with an AM 1.5G filter in 0.5 m KOH. Furthermore, the obtained SHJ photocathode demonstrates excellent stability of at least 110 h at 0.3 V versus RHE. In this work, combining facile direct current magnetron sputtering with a solution treatment technique provides a novel design strategy, which lowers the threshold for preparing high-quality protective layer, and paves the way for developing economic, efficient, and stable SHJ-based PEC devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yuexiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
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Ping L, Minarik GE, Gao H, Cao J, Li T, Kitadai H, Ling X. Synthesis of 2D layered transition metal (Ni, Co) hydroxides via edge-on condensation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3817. [PMID: 38361022 PMCID: PMC10869340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53969-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Layered transition metal hydroxides (LTMHs) with transition metal centers sandwiched between layers of coordinating hydroxide anions have attracted considerable interest for their potential in developing clean energy sources and storage technologies. However, two-dimensional (2D) LTMHs remain largely understudied in terms of physical properties and applications in electronic devices. Here, for the first time we report > 20 μm α-Ni(OH)2 2D crystals, synthesized from hydrothermal reaction. And an edge-on condensation mechanism assisted with the crystal field geometry is proposed to understand the 2D intra-planar growth of the crystals, which is also testified through series of systematic comparative studies. We also report the successful synthesis of 2D Co(OH)2 crystals (> 40 μm) with more irregular shape due to the slightly distorted octahedral geometry of the crystal field. Moreover, the detailed structural characterization of synthesized α-Ni(OH)2 are performed. The optical band gap energy is extrapolated as 2.54 eV from optical absorption measurements and the electronic bandgap is measured as 2.52 eV from reflected electrons energy loss spectroscopy (REELS). We further demonstrate its potential as a wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor for high voltage operation in 2D electronics with a high breakdown strength, 4.77 MV/cm with 4.9 nm thickness. The successful realization of the 2D LTMHs opens the door for future exploration of more fundamental physical properties and device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ping
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, 15 St. Mary's Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Gillian E Minarik
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Hongze Gao
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jun Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Tianshu Li
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, 15 St. Mary's Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Hikari Kitadai
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Xi Ling
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, 15 St. Mary's Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- The Photonics Center, Boston University, 8 St. Mary's Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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Chen X, Xu X, Cheng Y, Liu H, Li D, Da Y, Li Y, Liu D, Chen W. Achieving High-Performance Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation on Ni(OH) 2 with Optimized Intermediate Binding Energy Enabled by S-Doping and CeO 2 -Interfacing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2303169. [PMID: 37817375 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The adsorption energy of the reaction intermediates has a crucial influence on the electrocatalytic activity. Ni-based materials possess high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in alkaline, however too strong binding of *OH and high energy barrier of the rate-determining step (RDS) severely limit their OER activity. Herein, a facile strategy is shown to fabricate novel vertical nanorod-like arrays hybrid structure with the interface contact of S-doped Ni(OH)2 and CeO2 in situ grown on Ni foam (S-Ni(OH)2 /CeO2 /NF) through a one-pot route. The alcohol molecules oxidation reaction experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate that S-doping and CeO2 -interfacing significantly modulate the binding energies of OER intermediates toward optimal value and reduce the energy barrier of the RDS, contributing to remarkable OER activity for S-Ni(OH)2 /CeO2 /NF with an ultralow overpotential of 196 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and long-term durability over 150 h for the OER. This work offers an efficient doping and interfacing strategy to tune the binding energy of the OER intermediates for obtaining high-performance electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Xinyue Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
| | - Yuwen Cheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
| | - He Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
| | - Yumin Da
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Yongtao Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
| | - Dongming Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, P. R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117542, Singapore
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Li Y, Li S, Meng L, Peng S. Synthesis of oriented J type ZnIn 2S 4@CdIn 2S 4 heterojunction by controllable cation exchange for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:266-274. [PMID: 37406567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Construction of semiconductor heterojunctions which promote the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers is an effective strategy for improving photocatalytic reaction efficiency. Based on the anisotropic electrical conductivity of layered ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) photocatalyst, an efficient heterojunction should be constructed along the layer plane of ZIS, that is, a J type heterojunction. However, achieving controllable synthesis of the oriented heterojunction of ZIS faces challenges. Herein, we develop a facile, cost-effective and spatially-selective cation exchange synthesis approach to construct J type ZnIn2S4@CdIn2S4 (J-ZIS@CIS) heterojunction using a flower-like hexagonal ZIS as the parent material. The developed synthesis approach can also control crystal structure of the heterojunction component CIS. This work presents a facile and controllable synthesis strategy to construct oriented anisotropic heterojunctions that are otherwise inaccessible. The as-prepared J-ZIS@CIS heterojunction displays a greatly enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity with a rate of 183 μmol h-1, 2.77 times higher than that of pristine ZIS. Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic reaction mechanism is presented for the heterojunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexiang Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, PR China.
| | - Shuqi Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, PR China
| | - Luhui Meng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, PR China
| | - Shaoqin Peng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, PR China.
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Su L, Liu X, Xia W, Wu B, Li C, Xu B, Yang B, Xia R, Zhou J, Qian J, Miao L. Simultaneous photothermal and photocatalytic MOF- derived C/TiO 2 composites for high-efficiency solar driven purification of sewage. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:613-621. [PMID: 37437441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven water evaporation is a promising technology of freshwater production to address the water scarcity. However, the photothermal material and the distilled water would be contaminated in the evaporation of wastewater including organic pollutants. In this work, MOF-derived C/TiO2 composites (carbonized UiO-66-NH2 (Ti)) with simultaneous photothermal and photocatalytic functions are designed for producing freshwater from sewage. With advantageous features of porous structure with large specific area, excellent sunlight absorption and super-hydrophilicity, the carbonized UiO-66-NH2 (Ti) layer exhibits high water evaporation efficiency of 94% under 1.0 sun irradiation. Meanwhile, the layer can simultaneously decompose the organic pollutants with degradation efficiency of 92.7% in the underlying water during solar-driven water evaporation. This bifunctional material will provide a new approach for solar-driven water evaporation and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant synergistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifen Su
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Bo Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ru Xia
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Materials, Engineering Research Center of Electronic Information Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jiasheng Qian
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environment-friendly Polymer Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Lei Miao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativity Astrophysics, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
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Huang C, Chu PK. Recommended practices and benchmarking of foam electrodes in water splitting. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Fan WK, Tahir M. Structured clay minerals-based nanomaterials for sustainable photo/thermal carbon dioxide conversion to cleaner fuels: A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157206. [PMID: 35810906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In efforts to achieve a sustainable development goal, the utilization of CO2 to generate renewable fuels is promising, as it is a sustainable technology that provides affordable and clean energy. To realize the production of renewable green fuels, a proficient and low-cost technology is required. Using photo/thermal catalytic process, the goal of sustainable CO2 hydrogenation can be achieved. There have been several types of catalysts under exploration, however, they are expensive with limited availability. In the current development, green materials such as mineral clays are emerging as cocatalyst/supports for CO2 hydrogenation. Clays are bestowed with various beneficial properties such as a large surface area, high porosity, abundant basic sites, excellent thermal stability and chemical corrosion resistance. Clays are promising materials that can drastically reduce the cost in catalyst preparation, partially fulfil the energy demand and reduce greenhouse gas emission. This review aims to focus on the various types of clays and their applications in the field of photo/thermal CO2 hydrogenation to renewable fuels. Firstly, the classifications of clays are provided, whereby they can be differentiated based on their silicate layers, namely 1:1 and 2:1 type clay and their properties are thoroughly discussed to provide advantages and applications. The applications of various clays such as kaolinite, halloysite, montmorillonite, attapulgite, saponite and volkonskoite for CO2 hydrogenation reactions are systematically discoursed. In addition, various approaches to improve the capability of raw clays as catalyst support are critically discussed, which include thermal treatment, exfoliation, acid-leaching and pillaring approaches. A critical discussion regarding the engineering aspects to further enhance clay-based catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation are further disclosed. In short, clays are freely available materials that can be found in abundance. However, there are many more different types of natural green clays that have not been studied and explored in various energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Keen Fan
- School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Tahir
- Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, UAE University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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