1
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Cui JY, Li TT, Chen L, Wang JJ. Advancing BiVO 4 Photoanode Activity for Ethylene Glycol Oxidation via Strategic pH Control. Molecules 2024; 29:2783. [PMID: 38930848 PMCID: PMC11206287 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122783] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion of organic small molecules offers a dual benefit of synthesizing value-added chemicals and concurrently producing hydrogen (H2). Ethylene glycol, with its dual hydroxyl groups, stands out as a versatile organic substrate capable of yielding various C1 and C2 chemicals. In this study, we demonstrate that pH modulation markedly enhances the photocurrent of BiVO4 photoanodes, thus facilitating the efficient oxidation of ethylene glycol while simultaneously generating H2. Our findings reveal that in a pH = 1 ethylene glycol solution, the photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs. RHE can attain an impressive 7.1 mA cm-2, significantly surpassing the outputs in neutral and highly alkaline environments. The increase in photocurrent is attributed to the augmented adsorption of ethylene glycol on BiVO4 under acidic conditions, which in turn elevates the activity of the oxidation reaction, culminating in the maximal production of formic acid. This investigation sheds light on the pivotal role of electrolyte pH in the PEC oxidation process and underscores the potential of the PEC strategy for biomass valorization into value-added products alongside H2 fuel generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Yuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China; (J.-Y.C.); (T.-T.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Tian-Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China; (J.-Y.C.); (T.-T.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Long Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China; (J.-Y.C.); (T.-T.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China; (J.-Y.C.); (T.-T.L.); (L.C.)
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518057, China
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2
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Ragonese P, Kalinic B, Franco L, Girardi L, Fernández Peréz BM, Carbonera D, Mattei G, Rizzi GA, Maurizio C. Effect of Interfacial SiO x Defects on the Functional Properties of Si-Transition Metal Oxide Photoanodes for Water Splitting. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:46933-46940. [PMID: 37782757 PMCID: PMC10571009 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The transfer of photogenerated charges through interfaces in heterojunction photoanodes is a key process that controls the efficiency of solar water splitting. Considering Co3O4/SiOx/Si photoanodes prepared by physical vapor deposition as a representative case study, it is shown that defects normally present in the native SiOx layer dramatically affect the onset of the photocurrent. Electron paramagnetic resonance indicates that the signal of defects located in dangling bonds of trivalent Si atoms at the Si/SiOx interface vanishes upon vacuum annealing at 850 °C. Correspondingly, the photovoltage of the photoanode increases to ≈500 mV. Similar results are obtained for NiO/SiOx/Si photoanodes. Photoelectrochemical analysis and impedance spectroscopy (in solution and in the solid state) indicate how the defect annealing modifies the Co3O4/SiOx/Si junction. This work shows that defect annealing at the solid-solid interface in composite photoanodes strongly improves the efficiency of charge transfer through interfaces, which is the basis for effective solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Ragonese
- Physics
and Astronomy Department, University of
Padova, Via Marzolo 8, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - B. Kalinic
- Physics
and Astronomy Department, University of
Padova, Via Marzolo 8, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - L. Franco
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - L. Girardi
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - B. M. Fernández Peréz
- Physics
and Astronomy Department, University of
Padova, Via Marzolo 8, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - D. Carbonera
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - G. Mattei
- Physics
and Astronomy Department, University of
Padova, Via Marzolo 8, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - G.-A. Rizzi
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova I-35131, Italy
| | - C. Maurizio
- Physics
and Astronomy Department, University of
Padova, Via Marzolo 8, Padova I-35131, Italy
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3
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Koshevoy E, Gribov E, Polskikh D, Lyulyukin M, Solovyeva M, Cherepanova S, Kozlov D, Selishchev D. Photoelectrochemical Methods for the Determination of the Flat-Band Potential in Semiconducting Photocatalysts: A Comparison Study. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:13466-13480. [PMID: 37696112 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
In addition to the band gap of a semiconducting photocatalyst, its band edges are important because they play a crucial role in the analysis of charge transfer and possible pathways of the photocatalytic reaction. The Mott-Schottky method using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is the most common experimental technique for the determination of the electron potential in photocatalysts. This method is well suited for large crystals, but in the case of nanocatalysts, when the thickness of the charged layer is comparable with the size of the nanocrystals, the capacitance of the Helmholtz layer can substantially affect the measured potential. A contact between the electrolyte and the substrate, used for deposition of the photocatalyst, also affects the impedance. Application of other photoelectrochemical methods may help to avoid concerns in the interpretation of impedance data and improve the reliability of measurements. In this study, we have successfully prepared five visible-light active photocatalysts (i.e., N-doped TiO2, WO3, Bi2WO6, CoO, and g-C3N4) and measured their flat-band potentials using four (photo)electrochemical methods. The potentials are compared for all methods and discussed regarding the type of semiconducting material and its properties. The effect of methanol as a sacrificial agent for the enhanced transfer of charge carriers is studied and discussed for each method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Koshevoy
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Evgeny Gribov
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Danil Polskikh
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Mikhail Lyulyukin
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Maria Solovyeva
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | | | - Denis Kozlov
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry Selishchev
- Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Lavrentieva 5, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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4
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Jun SE, Kim YH, Kim J, Cheon WS, Choi S, Yang J, Park H, Lee H, Park SH, Kwon KC, Moon J, Kim SH, Jang HW. Atomically dispersed iridium catalysts on silicon photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting. Nat Commun 2023; 14:609. [PMID: 36739416 PMCID: PMC9899270 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36335-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stabilizing atomically dispersed single atoms (SAs) on silicon photoanodes for photoelectrochemical-oxygen evolution reaction is still challenging due to the scarcity of anchoring sites. Here, we elaborately demonstrate the decoration of iridium SAs on silicon photoanodes and assess the role of SAs on the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers. NiO/Ni thin film, an active and highly stable catalyst, is capable of embedding the iridium SAs in its lattices by locally modifying the electronic structure. The isolated iridium SAs enable the effective photogenerated charge transport by suppressing the charge recombination and lower the thermodynamic energy barrier in the potential-determining step. The Ir SAs/NiO/Ni/ZrO2/n-Si photoanode exhibits a benchmarking photoelectrochemical performance with a high photocurrent density of 27.7 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and 130 h stability. This study proposes the rational design of SAs on silicon photoelectrodes and reveals the potential of the iridium SAs to boost photogenerated charge carrier kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Eon Jun
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Hye Kim
- grid.413028.c0000 0001 0674 4447School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541 Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Kim
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Seok Cheon
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyun Choi
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwook Yang
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Hoonkee Park
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungsoo Lee
- grid.15444.300000 0004 0470 5454Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hwa Park
- grid.410883.60000 0001 2301 0664Interdisciplinary Materials Measurement Institute, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, 34113 Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Chang Kwon
- grid.410883.60000 0001 2301 0664Interdisciplinary Materials Measurement Institute, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, 34113 Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Moon
- grid.15444.300000 0004 0470 5454Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Hyun Kim
- grid.42687.3f0000 0004 0381 814XGraduate School of Semiconductor Materials and Devices Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, 44919 Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Won Jang
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea ,grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, 16229 Republic of Korea
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5
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Lee SA, Yang JW, Choi S, Jang HW. Nanoscale electrodeposition: Dimension control and 3D conformality. EXPLORATION 2021; 1. [PMCID: PMC10191033 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20210012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sol A Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Wook Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyun Choi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Won Jang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea
- Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology Seoul National University Suwon 16229 Republic of Korea
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6
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Yan G, Dong Y, Wu T, Xing S, Wang X. Mesoporous Ultrathin In 2O 3 Nanosheet Cocatalysts on a Silicon Nanowire Photoanode for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:52912-52920. [PMID: 34709787 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c14865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Vertical Si nanowire (NW) arrays are a promising photoanode material in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting field because of their highly efficient light absorption capability and large surface areas for PEC reactions. However, Si NW arrays always suffer from high overpotential, low photocurrent density, and low applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) due to their low surface catalytic activity and intense charge recombination. Here, we report an efficient oxygen evolution cocatalyst of optically transparent, mesoporous ultrathin (2.47 nm thick) In2O3 nanosheets, which are coupled on the top of Si NW arrays. Combined with a conformal TiO2 thin film as an intermediate protective layer, this Si NW/TiO2/In2O3 (2.47 nm) heterostructured photoanode exhibited an extremely low onset potential of 0.6 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The Si NW/TiO2/In2O3 (2.47 nm) photoanode also showed a high photocurrent density of 27 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, more than 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the Si NW/TiO2 photoanodes. This improvement in solar water splitting performance was attributed to the significantly promoted charge injection efficiency as a result of the In2O3 nanosheet coupling. This work presents a promising pathway for developing efficient Si-based photoanodes by coupling ultrathin 2D cocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyuan Yan
- School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yutao Dong
- Department of Material Sciences and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Tong Wu
- School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Shuming Xing
- School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Material Sciences and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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7
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Wang P, Fu P, Ma J, Gao Y, Li Z, Wang H, Fan F, Shi J, Li C. Ultrathin Cobalt Oxide Interlayer Facilitated Hole Storage for Sustained Water Oxidation over Composited Tantalum Nitride Photoanodes. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c03298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pengpeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ping Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jiangping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuying Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Zheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fengtao Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Jingying Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China
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8
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Xu Y, Ren K, Xu R. In situ formation of amorphous Fe-based bimetallic hydroxides from metal-organic frameworks as efficient oxygen evolution catalysts. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(20)63741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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9
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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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10
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Oh K, de Sagazan O, Léon C, Le Gall S, Loget G. Custom plating of nanoscale semiconductor/catalyst junctions for photoelectrochemical water splitting. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:1997-2004. [PMID: 33443521 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr08414j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical water splitting under harsh chemical conditions can be promoted by dispersed transition metal nanoparticles electrodeposited on n-Si surfaces, without the need for classical protection layers. Although this method is simple, it only allows for poor control of metal morphology and geometry on the photoanode surface. Herein, we introduce templated nanoscale electrodeposition on photoactive n-Si for the customization of nanoscale inhomogeneous Schottky junctions and demonstrate their use as stable photoanodes. The photoelectrochemical properties of the so-manufactured photoanodes exhibit a strong dependence on the photoanodes' geometrical features, and the obtained experimental trends are rationalized using simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiseok Oh
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes)-UMR6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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11
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Zhou D, Fan K, Zhuo Q, Zhao Y, Sun L. In Situ Induced Crystalline-Amorphous Heterophase Junction by K + to Improve Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation of BiVO 4. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:2723-2733. [PMID: 33411507 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c19948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Solar water splitting is one of the most efficient technologies to produce H2, which is a clean and renewable energy carrier. Photoanodes for water oxidation play the determining roles in solar water splitting, while its photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance is severely limited by the hole injection efficiency at the interface of semiconductor/electrolyte. To address this problem, in this research, by employing BiVO4 as the model semiconductor for photoanodes, we develop a novel, facile, and efficient method, which simply applies K cations in the preparation process of BiVO4 photoanodes, to in situ induce a crystalline-amorphous heterophase junction by the formation of an amorphous BiVO4 layer (a-BiVO4) on the surface of the crystalline BiVO4 (c-BiVO4) film for PEC water oxidation. The K cation is the key to stimulate the formation of the heterophase, but not incorporated in the final photoelectrodes. Without sacrificing the light absorption, the in situ formed a-BiVO4 layer accelerates the kinetics of the hole transfer at the photoanode/electrolyte interface, leading to the significantly increased efficiency of the surface hole injection to water molecules. Consequently, the BiVO4 photoanode with the crystalline-amorphous heterophase junction (a-BiVO4/c-BiVO4) exhibits almost twice the photocurrent density at 1.23 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) for water oxidation than the bare c-BiVO4 ones. Such advantages from the crystalline-amorphous heterophase junction are still effective even when the a-BiVO4/c-BiVO4 is coated by the cocatalyst of FeOOH, reflecting its broad applications in PEC devices. We believe this study can supply an efficient and simple protocol to enhance the PEC water oxidation performance of photoanodes, and provide a new strategy for the potential large-scale application of the solar energy-conversion related devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinghua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Institute of Artificial Photosynthesis, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 116024 Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Ke Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Institute of Artificial Photosynthesis, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 116024 Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Qiming Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Institute of Artificial Photosynthesis, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 116024 Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Yilong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Institute of Artificial Photosynthesis, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 116024 Dalian, P. R. China
| | - Licheng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Institute of Artificial Photosynthesis, DUT-KTH Joint Education and Research Centre on Molecular Devices, Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 116024 Dalian, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm 10044, Sweden
- Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels, School of Science, Westlake University, 310024 Hangzhou, P. R. China
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12
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Ma Z, Chen K, Jaworski A, Chen J, Rokicińska A, Kuśtrowski P, Dronskowski R, Slabon A. Structural Properties of NdTiO 2+xN 1-x and Its Application as Photoanode. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:919-929. [PMID: 33371676 PMCID: PMC7884013 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c03041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Mixed-anion inorganic compounds offer
diverse functionalities as
a function of the different physicochemical characteristics of the
secondary anion. The quaternary metal oxynitrides, which originate
from substituting oxygen anions (O2–) in a parent
oxide by nitrogen (N3–), are encouraging candidates
for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting because of their suitable
and adjustable narrow band gap and relative negative conduction band
(CB) edge. Given the known photochemical activity of LaTiO2N, we investigated the paramagnetic counterpart NdTiO2+xN1–x. The electronic
structure was explored both experimentally and theoretically at the
density functional theory (DFT) level. A band gap (Eg) of 2.17 eV was determined by means of ultraviolet–visible
(UV–vis) spectroscopy, and a relative negative flat band potential
of −0.33 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was proposed
via Mott–Schottky measurements. 14N solid state
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from NdTiO2+xN1–x could not
be detected, which indicates that NdTiO2+xN1–x is berthollide, in contrast
to other structurally related metal oxynitrides. Although the bare
particle-based photoanode did not exhibit a noticeable photocurrent,
Nb2O5 and CoOx overlayers
were deposited to extract holes and activate NdTiO2+xN1–x. Multiple electrochemical
methods were employed to understand the key features required for
this metal oxynitride to fabricate photoanodes. The structural properties of the prospective metal oxynitride
NdTiO2+xN1−x were experimentally and theoretically investigated. The band
edge positions make the compound theoretically suitable for overall
photochemical water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Ma
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Kaixuan Chen
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Aleksander Jaworski
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16 C, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jianhong Chen
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16 C, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Rokicińska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Kuśtrowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Richard Dronskowski
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany.,Hoffmann Institute of Advanced Materials, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Liuxian Blvd 7098, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Adam Slabon
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16 C, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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