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Vilanova A, Dias P, Lopes T, Mendes A. The route for commercial photoelectrochemical water splitting: a review of large-area devices and key upscaling challenges. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:2388-2434. [PMID: 38288870 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01069g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Green-hydrogen is considered a "key player" in the energy market for the upcoming decades. Among currently available hydrogen (H2) production processes, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has one of the lowest environmental impacts. However, it still presents prohibitively high production costs compared to more mature technologies, such as steam methane reforming. Therefore, the competitiveness of PEC water splitting must rely on its environmental and functional advantages, which are strongly linked to the reactor design, to the intrinsic properties of its components, and to their successful upscaling. This review gives special attention to the engineering aspects and categorizes PEC devices into four main types, according to the configuration of electrodes and strategies for gas separation: wired back-to-back, wireless back-to-back, wired side-by-side, and wired separated electrode membrane-free. Independently of the device architecture, the use of concentrated sunlight was found to be mandatory for achieving competitive green-H2 production. Additionally, feasible strategies for upscaling the key components of PEC devices, especially photoelectrodes, are urgently needed. In a pragmatic context, the way to move forward is to accept that PEC devices will operate close to their thermodynamic limits at large-scale, which requires a solid convergence between academics and industry. Research efforts must be redirected to: (i) build and demonstrate modular devices with a low-cost and highly recyclable embodiment; (ii) optimize thermal and power management; (iii) reduce ohmic losses; (iv) enhance the chemical stability towards a thousand hours; (v) couple solar concentrators with PEC devices; (vi) boost PEC-H2 production through the use of organic compounds; and (vii) reach consensual standardized methods for evaluating PEC devices, at both environmental and techno-economic levels. If these targets are not met in the next few years, the feasibility of PEC-H2 production and its acceptance by industry and by the general public will be seriously compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Vilanova
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Dias
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Tânia Lopes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Adélio Mendes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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Manna S, Satpati AK, Patra CN, Tyagi AK. Enhancing the PEC Efficiency in the Perspective of Crystal Facet Engineering and Modulation of Surfaces. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:6128-6146. [PMID: 38371841 PMCID: PMC10870357 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Generation of hydrogen is one of the most promising routes to harvest solar energy for its sustainable utilization. Among different routes, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) process to split water using solar light to produce hydrogen is the green method to generate hydrogen. The sluggish kinetics through complicated pathways makes the oxygen evolution reaction the rate limiting step of the overall water splitting process. Therefore, development of an efficient photoanode for the sustainable oxidation of water is most challenging in an efficient overall PEC water splitting process. The low solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency arises from the slow surface kinetics, poor hole diffusion, and fast charge recombination processes. There have been strategies to improve catalytic performances through the removal of such detrimental effects. The generation of engineered surfaces is one of the important strategies recently adopted for the enhancement of the catalytic efficiencies. The present review has been focused on the discussion of engineered surfaces using crystal facet engineering, protective surface layer, passivation using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, and cocatalyst modified surfaces to enhance the catalytic efficiency. Some of the important parameters defining catalyst performance are also discussed at the beginning of the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipa Manna
- Analytical
Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi
Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Ashis Kumar Satpati
- Analytical
Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi
Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Chandra Nath Patra
- Analytical
Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi
Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Avesh Kumar Tyagi
- Homi
Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
- Chemistry
Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
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Design of Ti-Pt Co-doped α-Fe 2O 3 photoanodes for enhanced performance of photoelectrochemical water splitting. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 641:91-104. [PMID: 36924549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.042] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates Ti and Pt co-doping can synergistically improve the PEC performance of the α-Fe2O3 photoanode. By varying the doping methods, the sample with in-situ Ti ex-situ Pt doping (Tii-Pte) exhibits the best performance. It demonstrates that Ti doping in bulk facilities charge separation and Pt doping on the surface further accelerates charge transfer. In contrast, Ti doping on the surface inhibits charge separation, and Pt doping in bulk hinders charge separation and transfer. HCl treatment is used to minimize the onset potential further, while it is favorable for the ex-situ doped α-Fe2O3, which is more efficient on Tie than the Pte-doped ones. On the ex-situ Ti-doped α-Fe2O3 after HCl treatment, anatase TiO2 is probed, suggesting that Ti-O bonds accumulate when Fe-O bonds are partly removed, which enhances the charge transfer in surface states. Unfortunately, HCl treatment also induces lattice defects that are adverse to charge transport, inhibiting the performance of in-situ doped α-Fe2O3 and excessively treated ex-situ doped ones. Coupled with methanol solvothermal treatment and NiOOH/FeOOH cocatalysts loading, the optimized Ti-Pt/Fe2O3 photoanode exhibits an impressive photocurrent density of 2.81 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE and a low onset potential of 0.60 V vs. RHE.
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Trenczek-Zajac A, Synowiec M, Zakrzewska K, Zazakowny K, Kowalski K, Dziedzic A, Radecka M. Scavenger-Supported Photocatalytic Evidence of an Extended Type I Electronic Structure of the TiO 2@Fe 2O 3 Interface. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:38255-38269. [PMID: 35969717 PMCID: PMC9412959 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c06404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Heterostructures of TiO2@Fe2O3 with a specific electronic structure and morphology enable us to control the interfacial charge transport necessary for their efficient photocatalytic performance. In spite of the extensive research, there still remains a profound ambiguity as far as the band alignment at the interface of TiO2@Fe2O3 is concerned. In this work, the extended type I heterojunction between anatase TiO2 nanocrystals and α-Fe2O3 hematite nanograins is proposed. Experimental evidence supporting this conclusion is based on direct measurements such as optical spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and the results of indirect studies of photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine B (RhB) with selected scavengers of various active species of OH•, h•, e-, and •O2-. The presence of small 6-8 nm Fe2O3 crystallites at the surface of TiO2 has been confirmed in HRTEM images. Irregular 15-50 nm needle-like hematite grains could be observed in scanning electron micrographs. Substitutional incorporation of Fe3+ ions into the TiO2 crystal lattice is predicted by a 0.16% decrease in lattice parameter a and a 0.08% change of c, as well as by a shift of the Raman Eg(1) peak from 143 cm-1 in pure TiO2 to 149 cm-1 in Fe2O3-modified TiO2. Analysis of O 1s XPS spectra corroborates this conclusion, indicating the formation of oxygen vacancies at the surface of titanium(IV) oxide. The presence of the Fe3+ impurity level in the forbidden band gap of TiO2 is revealed by the 2.80 eV optical transition. The size effect is responsible for the absorption feature appearing at 2.48 eV. Increased photocatalytic activity within the visible range suggests that the electron transfer involves high energy levels of Fe2O3. Well-programed experiments with scavengers allow us to eliminate the less probable mechanisms of RhB photodecomposition and propose a band diagram of the TiO2@Fe2O3 heterojunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Trenczek-Zajac
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University
of Science and Technology, Krakow 30-059, Poland
| | - Milena Synowiec
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University
of Science and Technology, Krakow 30-059, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zakrzewska
- Faculty
of Computer Science, Electronics and Telecommunications, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow 30-059, Poland
| | - Karolina Zazakowny
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University
of Science and Technology, Krakow 30-059, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Kowalski
- Faculty
of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow 30-059, Poland
| | - Andrzej Dziedzic
- Institute
of Physics, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland
| | - Marta Radecka
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University
of Science and Technology, Krakow 30-059, Poland
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Li H, Yin M, Li X, Mo R. Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation Performance in Bilayer TiO 2 /α-Fe 2 O 3 Nanorod Arrays Photoanode with Cu : NiO x as Hole Transport Layer and Co-Pi as Cocatalyst. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:2331-2340. [PMID: 33650268 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202100363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Efficient charge transfer and excellent surface water oxidation kinetics are key factors in determining the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance in photoelectrodes. Herein, a bilayer TiO2 /α-Fe2 O3 nanorod (NR) arrays photoanode was prepared with deposited Cu-doped NiOx (Cu : NiOx ) hole transport layer (HTL) and Co-Pi oxygen evolution reaction (OER) cocatalyst for PEC water oxidation. The hierarchical TiO2 /α-Fe2 O3 composite obtained by a secondary hydrothermal process exhibited an inapparent bilayer structure by embedding the underlayer TiO2 NR arrays at the bottom part of the post-grown α-Fe2 O3 NR arrays. The underlayer TiO2 NRs acted as an effective shuttling pathway for transferring photoelectrons generated in the upper hematite light absorber layer. A p-type inter-Cu : NiOx HTL was introduced to form a build-in p-n electric field between Cu : NiOx and α-Fe2 O3 NRs, which improved the hole extraction from α-Fe2 O3 to Co-Pi OER catalyst. As expected, the as-engineered TiO2 /α-Fe2 O3 /Cu : NiOx /Co-Pi photoanode displayed an excellent photocurrent density of 2.43 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE ), up to 4.05 and 2.23 times greater than those of the bare α-Fe2 O3 (0.60 mA cm-2 ) and TiO2 /α-Fe2 O3 , respectively. The results demonstrate that the bottom-up engineering of electron-hole transport channels and cocatalyst modification is an attractive maneuver to enhance the PEC water oxidation activity in hematite and other photoanodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory for Micro-Nano Energy Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Optoelectronics, Xiangtan University, Hunan, 411105, P. R. China
| | - Meisong Yin
- Hunan Key Laboratory for Micro-Nano Energy Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Optoelectronics, Xiangtan University, Hunan, 411105, P. R. China
| | - Xianglin Li
- Hunan First Normal University, No.1015, Fenglin Road (the 3rd), Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410205, P. R. China
| | - Rong Mo
- Hunan Key Laboratory for Micro-Nano Energy Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Optoelectronics, Xiangtan University, Hunan, 411105, P. R. China
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Imrich T, Zazpe R, Krýsová H, Paušová Š, Dvorak F, Rodriguez-Pereira J, Michalicka J, Man O, Macak J, Neumann-Spallart M, Krýsa J. Protection of hematite photoelectrodes by ALD-TiO2 capping. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2020.113126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Zhao Y, Zhang L, Liu J, Adair K, Zhao F, Sun Y, Wu T, Bi X, Amine K, Lu J, Sun X. Atomic/molecular layer deposition for energy storage and conversion. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:3889-3956. [PMID: 33523063 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00156b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Energy storage and conversion systems, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, and photoelectrochemical water splitting, have played vital roles in the reduction of fossil fuel usage, addressing environmental issues and the development of electric vehicles. The fabrication and surface/interface engineering of electrode materials with refined structures are indispensable for achieving optimal performances for the different energy-related devices. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques, the gas-phase thin film deposition processes with self-limiting and saturated surface reactions, have emerged as powerful techniques for surface and interface engineering in energy-related devices due to their exceptional capability of precise thickness control, excellent uniformity and conformity, tunable composition and relatively low deposition temperature. In the past few decades, ALD and MLD have been intensively studied for energy storage and conversion applications with remarkable progress. In this review, we give a comprehensive summary of the development and achievements of ALD and MLD and their applications for energy storage and conversion, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Moreover, the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms involved in different devices will be deeply reviewed. Furthermore, the large-scale potential of ALD and MLD techniques is discussed and predicted. Finally, we will provide insightful perspectives on future directions for new material design by ALD and MLD and untapped opportunities in energy storage and conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada.
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Chen X, Fu Y, Hong L, Kong T, Shi X, Wang G, Qu L, Shen S. Interface and surface engineering of hematite photoanode for efficient solar water oxidation. J Chem Phys 2020; 152:244707. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0009072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Chen
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Yanming Fu
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Liu Hong
- National Key Lab of Science and Technology on LRE, Xi’an Aerospace Propulsion Institute, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710100, China
| | - Tingting Kong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710054, China
| | - Xiaobo Shi
- National Key Lab of Science and Technology on LRE, Xi’an Aerospace Propulsion Institute, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710100, China
| | - Guangxu Wang
- National Key Lab of Science and Technology on LRE, Xi’an Aerospace Propulsion Institute, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710100, China
| | - Le Qu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710054, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan 610059, China
| | - Shaohua Shen
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
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Ponti A, Raza MH, Pantò F, Ferretti AM, Triolo C, Patanè S, Pinna N, Santangelo S. Structure, Defects, and Magnetism of Electrospun Hematite Nanofibers Silica-Coated by Atomic Layer Deposition. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:1305-1319. [PMID: 31958957 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, hematite has been utilized in a plethora of applications. High aspect-ratio nanohematite and hematite/silica core-shell nanostructures are arousing growing interest for applications exploiting their magnetic properties. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is utilized here to produce SiO2-coated α-Fe2O3 nanofibers (NFs) through two synthetic routes, viz. electrospinning/calcination/ALD or electrospinning/ALD/calcination. The number of ALD cycles (10-100) modulates the coating thickness, while the chosen route controls the final nanostructure. Porous and partially hollow NFs are produced. Their hierarchical structure and the nature and density of the lattice defects and strain are characterized by combining electron microscopy, diffraction, and spectroscopy techniques. The uncoated hematite NFs mostly have surface-related strain, which is attributed to oxygen vacancies/Fe2+ sites. ALD coating causes microstrain release and decrease of surface states. NFs calcined after ALD have extensive bulk strain, which is ascribed to the presence of dislocations throughout the volume of the NF grains. Bulk strain determines the remanent magnetization, whereas both surface and bulk strain influence the coercive field and the thermal behavior across the Morin temperature, including the magnetic memory effect. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the correlation between lattice defects/strain and magnetic properties of SiO2-coated α-Fe2O3 NFs has never been reported before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Ponti
- Laboratorio di Nanotecnologie, Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (ISTM) , Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Via G. Fantoli 16/15 , 20138 Milano , Italy
| | - Muhammad Hamid Raza
- Institut für Chemie and IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Brook-Taylor Str. 2 , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Fabiola Pantò
- Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l'Energia (ITAE) , Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Salita S. Lucia Sopra Contesse 5 , 98126 Messina , Italy
| | - Anna Maria Ferretti
- Laboratorio di Nanotecnologie, Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (ISTM) , Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Via G. Fantoli 16/15 , 20138 Milano , Italy
| | - Claudia Triolo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, dell'Energia, dell'Ambiente e dei Materiali (DICEAM) , Università Mediterranea , Loc. Feo di Vito , 89122 Reggio Calabria , Italy
| | - Salvatore Patanè
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT) , Università di Messina , Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31 , 98166 Messina , Italy
| | - Nicola Pinna
- Institut für Chemie and IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Brook-Taylor Str. 2 , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Saveria Santangelo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, dell'Energia, dell'Ambiente e dei Materiali (DICEAM) , Università Mediterranea , Loc. Feo di Vito , 89122 Reggio Calabria , Italy
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Ma H, Mahadik MA, Kim SR, Wang M, Ryu HI, Chung HS, Chae WS, Park H, Jang JS. Surface passivation of zinc ferrite nanorod photoanodes by spray-deposited silicon oxide layer for enhanced solar water splitting. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2019.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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12
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Kinetic analysis of the synergistic effect of NaBH4 treatment and Co-Pi coating on Fe2O3 photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. J Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2019.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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13
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Current progress in developing metal oxide nanoarrays-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2019; 64:1348-1380. [PMID: 36659664 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Solar energy driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a clean and powerful approach for renewable hydrogen production. The design and construction of metal oxide based nanoarray photoanodes is one of the promising strategies to make the continuous breakthroughs in solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency of PEC cells owing to their owned several advantages including enhanced reactive surface at the electrode/electrolyte interface, improved light absorption capability, increased charge separation efficiency and direct electron transport pathways. In this Review, we first introduce the structure, work principle and their relevant efficiency calculations of a PEC cell. We then give a summary of the state-of the-art research in the preparation strategies and growth mechanism for the metal oxide based nanoarrays, and some details about the performances of metal oxide based nanoarray photoanodes for PEC water splitting. Finally, we discuss key aspects which should be addressed in continued work on realizing high-efficiency metal oxide based nanoarray photoanodes for PEC solar water splitting systems.
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15
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Bhagya TC, Krishnan A, S AR, M AS, Sreelekshmy BR, Jineesh P, Shibli SMA. Exploration and evaluation of proton source-assisted photocatalyst for hydrogen generation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2019; 18:1716-1726. [DOI: 10.1039/c9pp00119k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The DAH proton source assisted Fe2O3–TiO2 system exhibits exceptional photocatalytic activity and stability for hydrogen generation by a water-splitting reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. C. Bhagya
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- India
| | | | - Arunima Rajan S
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- India
| | - Ameen Sha M
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- India
| | - B. R. Sreelekshmy
- Department of Biotechnology
- University of Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- India
| | - P. Jineesh
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- India
| | - S. M. A. Shibli
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- India
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Chen X, Fu Y, Kong T, Shang Y, Niu F, Diao Z, Shen S. Protected Hematite Nanorod Arrays with Molecular Complex Co-Catalyst for Efficient and Stable Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation. Eur J Inorg Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201801200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Chen
- International Research Centre for Renewable Energy; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an 710049 Shaanxi China
| | - Yanming Fu
- International Research Centre for Renewable Energy; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an 710049 Shaanxi China
| | - Tingting Kong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Xi′an Shiyou University; 710054 Xi′an China
| | - Yi Shang
- International Research Centre for Renewable Energy; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an 710049 Shaanxi China
| | - Fujun Niu
- International Research Centre for Renewable Energy; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an 710049 Shaanxi China
| | - Zhidan Diao
- International Research Centre for Renewable Energy; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an 710049 Shaanxi China
| | - Shaohua Shen
- International Research Centre for Renewable Energy; State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an 710049 Shaanxi China
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17
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Synergistic effect of Ti(OBu)4 and annealing regime on the structure, morphology and photoelectrochemical response of α-Fe2O3 photoanode. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.05.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Chen Q, Switzer JA. Photoelectrochemistry of Ultrathin, Semitransparent, and Catalytic Gold Films Electrodeposited Epitaxially onto n-Silicon (111). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:21365-21371. [PMID: 29856594 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b06388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An ultrathin, epitaxial Au layer was electrochemically deposited on n-Si(111) to form a Schottky junction that was used as the photoanode in a regenerative photoelectrochemical cell. Au serves as a semitransparent contact that both stabilizes n-Si against photopassivation and catalyzes the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+. In this cell, Fe2+ was oxidized at the n-Si(111)/Au(111) photoanode and Fe3+ was reduced at the Au cathode, leading to the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy with no net chemical reaction. The photocurrent was limited to 11.9 mA·cm-2 because of the absorption of light by the Fe2+/3+ redox couple. When a transparent solution of sulfite ion was oxidized at the photoanode, photocurrent densities as high as 28.5 mA·cm-2 were observed with AM 1.5 light of 100 mW·cm-2 intensity. One goal of the work was to determine the effect of the Au layer on the interfacial energetics as a function of the Au coverage. There was a decrease in the barrier height from 0.81 to 0.73 eV as the gold coverage was increased from island growth with 10% coverage to a dense Au film with a thickness of 11 nm. In all cases, the band-bending in n-Si was induced by the n-Si/Au Schottky junction instead of the energetic mismatch between the Fermi level of n-Si and the redox couple. The dense Au film gave the greatest stability. Although the photocurrent of the n-Si/Au photoanode with 10.2% island coverage dropped nearly to zero within 2 h, the photocurrent of the photoanode with a dense 11 nm thick Au film only decreased to 92% of its initial value after irradiation at open circuit with AM 1.5 light for 16 h. A 2.1 nm thick layer of SiO x formed between the Au film and n-Si. With further irradiation, the fill factor decreased because of the increase of series resistance as the SiO x layer thickness exceeded tunneling dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhi Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Graduate Center for Materials Research , Missouri University of Science and Technology , Rolla , Missouri 65409-1170 , United States
| | - Jay A Switzer
- Department of Chemistry and Graduate Center for Materials Research , Missouri University of Science and Technology , Rolla , Missouri 65409-1170 , United States
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19
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Souza FL. Sunlight-driven water splitting using hematite nanorod photoelectrodes. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2018; 90:745-762. [PMID: 29742209 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of nanostructures for photoelectrochemical water-splitting is fundamentally governed by the capability of the surface to sustain the reaction without electron trapping or recombination by photogenerated holes. This brief review will summarize the latest progress on hematite, designed with columnar morphology via chemical synthesis, for photoelectrochemical cell application. The columnar morphology efficiently minimizes the number of defects, grain boundaries, and surface traps normally present on the planar morphology. The major drawback related to hole diffusion through the solid/liquid interface was addressed by using high annealing temperature combined with dopant addition. A critical view and depth of understanding of these two parameters were discussed focusing on the molecular oxygen evolution mechanism from the sunlight-driven water oxidation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio L Souza
- Laboratory of Alternative Energy and Nanomaterials, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
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20
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Han H, Kment S, Karlicky F, Wang L, Naldoni A, Schmuki P, Zboril R. Sb-Doped SnO 2 Nanorods Underlayer Effect to the α-Fe 2 O 3 Nanorods Sheathed with TiO 2 for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1703860. [PMID: 29655304 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201703860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Here, a Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO) nanorod underneath an α-Fe2 O3 nanorod sheathed with TiO2 for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is reported. The experimental results, corroborated with theoretical analysis, demonstrate that the ATO nanorod underlayer effect on the α-Fe2 O3 nanorod sheathed with TiO2 enhances the PEC water splitting performance. The growth of the well-defined ATO nanorods is reported as a conductive underlayer to improve α-Fe2 O3 PEC water oxidation performance. The α-Fe2 O3 nanorods grown on the ATO nanorods exhibit improved performance for PEC water oxidation compared to α-Fe2 O3 grown on flat fluorine-doped tin oxide glass. Furthermore, a simple and facile TiCl4 chemical treatment further introduces TiO2 passivation layer formation on the α-Fe2 O3 to reduce surface recombination. As a result, these unique nanostructures show dramatically improved photocurrent density (139% higher than that of the pure hematite nanorods).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyungkyu Han
- Theoretical Division and Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 11, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Stepan Kment
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 11, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Karlicky
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 30. Dubna 22, 701 03, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstrasse 7, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alberto Naldoni
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 11, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Patrik Schmuki
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 11, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstrasse 7, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Radek Zboril
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 11, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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21
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Shape Controlled Synthesis of Copper Vanadate Platelet Nanostructures, Their Optical Band Edges, and Solar-Driven Water Splitting Properties. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14370. [PMID: 29084969 PMCID: PMC5662690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the morphological and size tailored rational and facile synthesis of copper vanadate nanostructures via sonication assisted sol gel method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), indicated irregular and nanoflakes morphologies for the as synthesized copper vanadate (CV-120) and copper vanadate calcined at 250 °C (CV-250). The semispherical platelets shaped morphology revealed for the copper vanadate calcined at 550 °C (CV-500). The XRD patterns confirm the monoclinic and triclinic crystal phases for CV-250 and CV-500, respectively. The optical properties of CV-250 and CV-500 via UV-DRS showed significant absorption in the visible regime at λ = 565 nm and 670 nm with band gap 2.2 eV and 1.84 eV, respectively as calculated from Kubelka-Munk (KM) equation via Tauc’s plot. The values of band edge positions of CV-250 and CV-550 straddle with the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) potentials. The photoelectrodes of CV-250 and CV-500 fabricated by adsorption desorption method to test their photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance in the three-electrode cell. The onset photocurrent potential is observed at ~0.42 V, which reached to saturation at 1.05 V. The photocurrent density at saturation is ~0.65 mA/cm2 for CV-250 and CV-500, respectively.
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22
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Hunault MOJY, Khan W, Minár J, Kroll T, Sokaras D, Zimmermann P, Delgado-Jaime MU, de Groot FMF. Local vs Nonlocal States in FeTiO 3 Probed with 1s2pRIXS: Implications for Photochemistry. Inorg Chem 2017; 56:10882-10892. [PMID: 28872322 PMCID: PMC5636175 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b00938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Metal-metal charge transfer (MMCT) is expected to be the main mechanism that enables the harvesting of solar light by iron-titanium oxides for photocatalysis. We have studied FeTiO3 as a model compound for MMCT with 1s2pRIXS at the Fe K-edge. The high-energy resolution XANES enables distinguishing five pre-edge features. The three first well distinct RIXS features are assigned to electric quadrupole transitions to the localized Fe* 3d states, shifted to lower energy by the 1s core-hole. Crystal field multiplet calculations confirm the speciation of divalent iron. The contribution of electric dipole absorption due to local p-d mixing allowed by the trigonal distortion of the cation site is supported by DFT and CFM calculations. The two other nonlocal features are assigned to electric dipole transitions to excited Fe* 4p states mixed with the neighboring Ti 3d states. The comparison with DFT calculations demonstrates that MMCT in ilmenite is favored by the hybridization between the Fe 4p and delocalized Ti 3d orbitals via the O 2p orbitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrtille O. J. Y. Hunault
- Inorganic Chemistry
and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterial Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wilayat Khan
- New Technologies-Research Center, University
of West Bohemia, Univerzitni
8, 306 14 Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Minár
- New Technologies-Research Center, University
of West Bohemia, Univerzitni
8, 306 14 Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Thomas Kroll
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Dimosthenis Sokaras
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Patric Zimmermann
- Inorganic Chemistry
and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterial Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mario U. Delgado-Jaime
- Inorganic Chemistry
and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterial Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank M. F. de Groot
- Inorganic Chemistry
and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterial Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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23
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Wang L, Nguyen NT, Zhang Y, Bi Y, Schmuki P. Enhanced Solar Water Splitting by Swift Charge Separation in Au/FeOOH Sandwiched Single-Crystalline Fe 2 O 3 Nanoflake Photoelectrodes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2017; 10:2720-2727. [PMID: 28437588 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201700522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In this work, single crystalline α-Fe2 O3 nanoflakes (NFs) are formed in a highly dense array by Au seeding of a Fe substrate by a thermal oxidation technique. The NFs are conformally decorated with a thin FeOOH cocatalyst layer. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements show that this photoanode, incorporating α-Fe2 O3 /FeOOH NFs rooted on the Au/Fe structure, exhibits significantly enhanced PEC water oxidation performance compared to the plain α-Fe2 O3 nanostructure on the Fe substrate. The α-Fe2 O3 /FeOOH NFs on Au/Fe photoanode yields a photocurrent density of 3.1 mA cm-2 at 1.5 VRHE , and a remarkably low onset potential of 0.5-0.6 VRHE in 1 m KOH under AM 1.5G (100 mW cm-2 ) simulated sunlight illumination. The enhancement in PEC performance can be attributed to a synergistic effect of the FeOOH top decoration and the Au underlayer, whereby FeOOH facilitates hole transfer at the interface of electrode/electrolyte and the Au layer provides a sink for the electron transport to the back contact. This results in a drastically improved charge-separation efficiency in the single crystalline α-Fe2 O3 NF photoanode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, National Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 730000, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Nhat Truong Nguyen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, WW4-LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yajun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, National Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 730000, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yingpu Bi
- State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, National Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, 730000, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Patrik Schmuki
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, WW4-LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, King Abdulaziz University, 80203, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Kingdom
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24
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Xiao J, Huang H, Huang Q, Zhao L, Li X, Hou X, Chen H, Li Y. Suppressing the electron–hole recombination rate in hematite photoanode with a rapid cooling treatment. J Catal 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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25
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Verma A, Srivastav A, Khan SA, Rani Satsangi V, Shrivastav R, Kumar Avasthi D, Dass S. Enhanced photoelectrochemical response of plasmonic Au embedded BiVO4/Fe2O3 heterojunction. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:15039-15049. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp02183f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The effect of embedding Au nanoparticles (NPs) in a BiVO4/Fe2O3 heterojunction for photoelectrochemical water splitting is studied here for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Verma
- Department of Chemistry
- Dayalbagh Educational Institute
- Agra 282005
- India
| | - Anupam Srivastav
- Department of Chemistry
- Dayalbagh Educational Institute
- Agra 282005
- India
| | - Saif A. Khan
- Inter University Accelerator Centre
- Aruna Asaf Ali Marg
- New Delhi 110 067
- India
| | - Vibha Rani Satsangi
- Department of Physics & Computer Science
- Dayalbagh Educational Institute
- Agra 282005
- India
| | - Rohit Shrivastav
- Department of Chemistry
- Dayalbagh Educational Institute
- Agra 282005
- India
| | - Devesh Kumar Avasthi
- Inter University Accelerator Centre
- Aruna Asaf Ali Marg
- New Delhi 110 067
- India
- Amity University
| | - Sahab Dass
- Department of Chemistry
- Dayalbagh Educational Institute
- Agra 282005
- India
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26
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Liu J, Luo W, Zhu K, Wen X, Xiu F, Yuan J, Zou Z, Huang W. Cathodic shift of a photo-potential on a Ta3N5photoanode by post-heating a TiO2passivation layer. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra04647b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A 90 mV cathodic shift of photo-potential of a Ta3N5photoanode is achieved by increasing the conductivity of a TiO2passivation layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE)
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
- Nanjing 211816
| | - Wenjun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE)
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
- Nanjing 211816
| | - Kaijian Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE)
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
- Nanjing 211816
| | - Xin Wen
- Eco-materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC)
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures
- Department of Physics
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
| | - Fei Xiu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE)
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
- Nanjing 211816
| | - Jiajie Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE)
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
- Nanjing 211816
| | - Zhigang Zou
- Eco-materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC)
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures
- Department of Physics
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE)
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
- Nanjing 211816
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27
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Shinde PS, Lee SY, Choi SH, Lee HH, Ryu J, Jang JS. A Synergistic Effect of Surfactant and ZrO2 Underlayer on Photocurrent Enhancement and Cathodic Shift of Nanoporous Fe2O3 Photoanode. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32436. [PMID: 27577967 PMCID: PMC5006030 DOI: 10.1038/srep32436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Augmenting the donor density and nanostructure engineering are the crucial points to improve solar water oxidation performance of hematite (α-Fe2O3). This work addresses the sluggish water oxidation reaction associated with hematite photoanode by tweaking its internal porosity. The porous hematite photoanodes are fabricated by a novel synthetic strategy via pulse reverse electrodeposition (PRED) method that involves incorporation of a cationic CTAB surfactant in a sulfate electrolyte and spin-coated ZrO2 underlayer (UL) on FTO. CTAB is found to be beneficial in promoting the film growth rate during PRED. Incorporation of Zr(4+) ions from ZrO2 UL and Sn(4+) ions from FTO into the Fe2O3 lattice via solid-state diffusion reaction during pertinent annihilation of surfactant molecules at 800 °C produced internally porous hematite films with improved carrier concentration. The porous hematite demonstrated a sustained photocurrent enhancement and a significant cathodic shift of 130 mV relative to the planar hematite under standard illumination conditions (AM 1.5G) in 1 M NaOH electrolyte. The absorption, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky analyses revealed that the ZrO2 UL and CTAB not only increased the carrier density and light harvesting but also accelerated the surface oxidation reaction kinetics, synergistically boosting the performance of internally porous hematite photoanodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin S Shinde
- Division of Biotechnology, Division of Biotechnology, Safety, Environment and Life Science Institute, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Yong Lee
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hee Choi
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Hwi Lee
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungho Ryu
- Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea
| | - Jum Suk Jang
- Division of Biotechnology, Division of Biotechnology, Safety, Environment and Life Science Institute, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 570-752, Republic of Korea
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28
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Wang L, Nguyen NT, Schmuki P. A Facile Surface Passivation of Hematite Photoanodes with Iron Titanate Cocatalyst for Enhanced Water Splitting. CHEMSUSCHEM 2016; 9:2048-2053. [PMID: 27348809 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201600462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The surface modification of semiconductor photoelectrodes with passivation overlayers has attracted great attention as an effective strategy to improve the charge separation and charge transfer processes across the semiconductor-electrolyte interface. In this work, a thin Fe2 TiO5 layer was decorated on nanostructured hematite nanoflake and nanocoral photoanodes (by thermal oxidation of iron foils) by a facile water-based solution method. Photoelectrochemical measurements show that the Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 heterostructure exhibits an obvious enhancement in photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance compared to the pristine hematite. For example, at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE ) in 1 m KOH under AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm(-2) ) illumination, a 4-8× increase in the water oxidation photocurrent is achieved for Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 , and a considerable cathodic shift of the onset potential up to 0.53-0.62 VRHE is obtained. Moreover, the performance of the Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 heterostructure can be further improved by decoration with a SnOx layer. The enhancement in photocurrent can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Fe2 TiO5 /SnOx overlayers passivating surface states, and thus reducing surface electron-hole recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, WW4-LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation National Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Nhat Truong Nguyen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, WW4-LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrik Schmuki
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, WW4-LKO, University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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29
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Li C, Wang T, Luo Z, Liu S, Gong J. Enhanced Charge Separation through ALD-Modified Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 Nanorod Heterojunction for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:3415-3422. [PMID: 27197643 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201600940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Hematite suffers from poor charge transport and separation properties for solar water splitting. This paper describes the design and fabrication of a 3D Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 heterojunction photoanode with improved charge separation, via a facile hydrothermal method followed by atomic layer deposition and air annealing. A highly crystallized Fe2 TiO5 phase forms with a distinct interface with the underlying Fe2 O3 core, where a 4 nm Fe2 TiO5 overlayer leads to the best photoelectrochemical performance. The favorable band offset between Fe2 O3 and Fe2 TiO5 establishes a type-II heterojunction at the Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 interface, which drives electron-hole separation effectively. The Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 composite electrode exhibits a dramatically improved photocurrent of 1.63 mA cm(-2) at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under simulated 1 sun illumination (100 mW cm(-2) ), which is 3.5 times that of the bare Fe2 O3 electrode. Decorating the Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 heterojunction photoanode with earth-abundant FeNiOx cocatalyst further expedites surface reaction kinetics, leading to an onset potential of 0.8 V versus RHE with a photocurrent of 2.7 mA cm(-2) at 1.23 V and 4.6 mA cm(-2) at 1.6 V versus RHE. This sandwich photoanode shows an excellent stability for 5 h and achieves an overall Faradaic efficiency of 95% for O2 generation. This is the best performance ever reported for Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 photoanodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Li
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Tuo Wang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Zhibin Luo
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
| | - Jinlong Gong
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
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30
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Li Y, Wei X, Zhu B, Wang H, Tang Y, Sum TC, Chen X. Hierarchically branched Fe2O3@TiO2 nanorod arrays for photoelectrochemical water splitting: facile synthesis and enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:11284-11290. [PMID: 27189633 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr02430k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Highly photoactive and durable photoanode materials are the key to photoelectrochemical water splitting. In this paper, hierarchically branched Fe2O3@TiO2 nanorod arrays (denoted as Fe2O3@TiO2 BNRs) composed of a long Fe2O3 trunk and numerous short TiO2 nanorod branches were fabricated and used as photoanodes for water splitting. Significant improvement of photoelectrochemical water splitting performance was observed based on Fe2O3@TiO2 BNRs. The photocurrent density of Fe2O3@TiO2 BNRs reaches up to 1.3 mA cm(-2) at 1.23 V versus RHE, which is 10 times higher than that of pristine Fe2O3 nanorod arrays under the same conditions. Furthermore, an obvious cathodic shift in the onset potential of photocurrent was observed in the Fe2O3@TiO2 BNRs. More significantly, the Fe2O3@TiO2 BNRs are quite stable even after 3600 s continuous illumination, and the photocurrent density shows almost no decay. Finally, a tentative mechanism was proposed to explain the superior performance of Fe2O3@TiO2 BNRs for PEC water splitting and discussed in detail on the basis of our experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuangang Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China.
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31
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Ding C, Wang Z, Shi J, Yao T, Li A, Yan P, Huang B, Li C. Substrate-Electrode Interface Engineering by an Electron-Transport Layer in Hematite Photoanode. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:7086-7091. [PMID: 26926845 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The photoelectrochemical water oxidation efficiency of photoanodes is largely limited by interfacial charge-transfer processes. Herein, a metal oxide electron-transport layer (ETL) was introduced at the substrate-electrode interface. Hematite photoanodes prepared on Li(+)- or WO3-modified substrates deliver higher photocurrent. It is inferred that a Li-doped Fe2O3 (Li:Fe2O3) layer with lower flat band potential than the bulk is formed. Li:Fe2O3 and WO3 are proved to function as an expressway for electron extraction. Via introducing ETL, both the charge separation and injection efficiencies are improved. The lifetime of photogenerated electrons is prolonged by 3 times, and the ratio of surface charge transfer and recombination rate is enhanced by 5 times with Li:Fe2O3 and 125 times with WO3 ETL at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. This result indicates the expedited electron extraction from photoanode to the substrate can suppress not only the recombination at the back contact interface but also those at the surface, which results in higher water oxidation efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zhiliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jingying Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Tingting Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Ailong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Pengli Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Baokun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy , Dalian 116023, China
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Bassi PS, Xianglin L, Fang Y, Loo JSC, Barber J, Wong LH. Understanding charge transport in non-doped pristine and surface passivated hematite (Fe2O3) nanorods under front and backside illumination in the context of light induced water splitting. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:30370-30378. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp05379c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This work reports an in-depth study of the performance of hematite nanorods under back and front illumination while varying the crucial annealing temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prince Saurabh Bassi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
| | - Li Xianglin
- Energy Research Institute @ NTU
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Yanan Fang
- Energy Research Institute @ NTU
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Joachim Say Chye Loo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
| | - James Barber
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
- Department of Life Sciences
| | - Lydia Helena Wong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University
- Singapore 639798
- Singapore
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33
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Shinde PS, Choi SH, Kim Y, Ryu J, Jang JS. Onset potential behavior in α-Fe2O3photoanodes: the influence of surface and diffusion Sn doping on the surface states. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:2495-509. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cp06669g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Donor density and surface states of Fe2O3viaSn doping control the water oxidation and onset potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin S. Shinde
- Division of Biotechnology
- Advanced Institute of Environmental and Bioscience
- College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences
- Chonbuk National University
- Iksan 570-752
| | - Sun Hee Choi
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL)
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
- Pohang 790-784
- Republic of Korea
| | - Yongsam Kim
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL)
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
- Pohang 790-784
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jungho Ryu
- Mineral Resources Research Division
- Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
- Daejeon 305-350
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jum Suk Jang
- Division of Biotechnology
- Advanced Institute of Environmental and Bioscience
- College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences
- Chonbuk National University
- Iksan 570-752
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