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Korell L, Lauterbach S, Timm J, Wang L, Mellin M, Kundmann A, Wu Q, Tian C, Marschall R, Hofmann JP, Osterloh FE, Einert M. On the structural evolution of nanoporous optically transparent CuO photocathodes upon calcination for photoelectrochemical applications. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:2875-2891. [PMID: 38817433 PMCID: PMC11134239 DOI: 10.1039/d4na00199k] [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: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Copper oxides are promising photocathode materials for solar hydrogen production due to their narrow optical band gap energy allowing broad visible light absorption. However, they suffer from severe photocorrosion upon illumination, mainly due to copper reduction. Nanostructuring has been proven to enhance the photoresponse of CuO photocathodes; however, there is a lack of precise structural control on the nanoscale upon sol-gel synthesis and calcination for achieving optically transparent CuO thin film photoabsorbers. In this study, nanoporous and nanocrystalline CuO networks were prepared by a soft-templating and dip-coating method utilizing poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic® F-127) as a structure-directing agent, resulting for the first-time in uniformly structured, crack-free, and optically transparent CuO thin films. The photoelectrochemical properties of the nanoporous CuO frameworks were investigated as a function of the calcination temperature and film thickness, revealing important information about the photocurrent, photostability, and photovoltage. Based on surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV), the films are p-type and generate up to 60 mV photovoltage at 2.0 eV (0.050 mW cm-2) irradiation for the film annealed at 750 °C. For these high annealing temperatures, the nanocrystalline domains in the thin film structure are more developed, resulting in improved electronic quality. In aqueous electrolytes with or without methyl viologen (as a fast electron acceptor), CuO films show cathodic photocurrents of up to -2.4 mA cm-2 at 0.32 V vs. RHE (air mass (AM) 1.5). However, the photocurrents were found to be entirely due to photocorrosion of the films and decay to near zero over the course of 20 min under AM 1.5 illumination. These fundamental results on the structural and morphological development upon calcination provide a direction and show the necessity for further (surface) treatment of sol-gel derived CuO photocathodes for photoelectrochemical applications. The study demonstrates how to control the size of nanopores starting from mesopore formation at 400 °C to the evolution of macroporous frameworks at 750 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Korell
- Surface Science Laboratory, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Straße 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Stefan Lauterbach
- Institute for Applied Geosciences, Geomaterial Science, Technical University of Darmstadt Schnittspahnstraße 9 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Jana Timm
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95447 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 USA
| | - Maximilian Mellin
- Surface Science Laboratory, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Straße 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Anna Kundmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of California One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 USA
| | - Qingyang Wu
- Surface Science Laboratory, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Straße 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Chuanmu Tian
- Surface Science Laboratory, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Straße 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Roland Marschall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth Universitätsstraße 30 95447 Bayreuth Germany
| | - Jan P Hofmann
- Surface Science Laboratory, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Straße 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Frank E Osterloh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616 USA
| | - Marcus Einert
- Surface Science Laboratory, Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technical University of Darmstadt Otto-Berndt-Straße 3 64287 Darmstadt Germany
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He X, Tian W, Yang L, Bai Z, Li L. Optical and Electrical Modulation Strategies of Photoelectrodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2300350. [PMID: 37330656 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
When constructing efficient, cost-effective, and stable photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems, the solar-driven photo-to-chemical conversion efficiency of semiconductors is limited by several factors, including the surface catalytic activity, light absorption range, carrier separation, and transfer efficiency. Accordingly, various modulation strategies, such as modifying the light propagation behavior and regulating the absorption range of incident light based on optics and constructing and regulating the built-in electric field of semiconductors based on carrier behaviors in semiconductors, are implemented to improve the PEC performance. Herein, the mechanism and research advancements of optical and electrical modulation strategies for photoelectrodes are reviewed. First, parameters and methods for characterizing the performance and mechanism of photoelectrodes are introduced to reveal the principle and significance of modulation strategies. Then, plasmon and photonic crystal structures and mechanisms are summarized from the perspective of controlling the propagation behavior of incident light. Subsequently, the design of an electrical polarization material, polar surface, and heterojunction structure is elaborated to construct an internal electric field, which serves as the driving force to facilitate the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for developing optical and electrical modulation strategies for photoelectrodes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianhong He
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, Center for Energy Conversion Materials and Physics (CECMP), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, P. R. China
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Disease Immunity and Intervention, School of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, P. R. China
| | - Wei Tian
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, Center for Energy Conversion Materials and Physics (CECMP), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Lin Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, P. R. China
| | - Zhengyu Bai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Green Manufacturing of Fine Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, P. R. China
| | - Liang Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, Center for Energy Conversion Materials and Physics (CECMP), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
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Hadke S, Huang M, Chen C, Tay YF, Chen S, Tang J, Wong L. Emerging Chalcogenide Thin Films for Solar Energy Harvesting Devices. Chem Rev 2021; 122:10170-10265. [PMID: 34878268 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chalcogenide semiconductors offer excellent optoelectronic properties for their use in solar cells, exemplified by the commercialization of Cu(In,Ga)Se2- and CdTe-based photovoltaic technologies. Recently, several other chalcogenides have emerged as promising photoabsorbers for energy harvesting through the conversion of solar energy to electricity and fuels. The goal of this review is to summarize the development of emerging binary (Sb2X3, GeX, SnX), ternary (Cu2SnX3, Cu2GeX3, CuSbX2, AgBiX2), and quaternary (Cu2ZnSnX4, Ag2ZnSnX4, Cu2CdSnX4, Cu2ZnGeX4, Cu2BaSnX4) chalcogenides (X denotes S/Se), focusing especially on the comparative analysis of their optoelectronic performance metrics, electronic band structure, and point defect characteristics. The performance limiting factors of these photoabsorbers are discussed, together with suggestions for further improvement. Several relatively unexplored classes of chalcogenide compounds (such as chalcogenide perovskites, bichalcogenides, etc.) are highlighted, based on promising early reports on their optoelectronic properties. Finally, pathways for practical applications of emerging chalcogenides in solar energy harvesting are discussed against the backdrop of a market dominated by Si-based solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyash Hadke
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553, Singapore
| | - Menglin Huang
- Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE), Key State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System and School of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chao Chen
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.,Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Ying Fan Tay
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Shiyou Chen
- Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (MOE), Key State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System and School of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiang Tang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.,Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Lydia Wong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise (SHARE), Nanomaterials for Energy and Energy-Water Nexus (NEW), Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore 138602, Singapore
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Guo Z, Liu Z. Synthesis and control strategies of nanomaterials for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:1983-1989. [PMID: 33475651 DOI: 10.1039/d0dt04129g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical water splitting to produce hydrogen using solar energy can capture and directly convert solar energy into chemical energy, which is an effective way to deal with the current energy and environmental problems. The conversion efficiency of solar energy depends on the performance of semiconductor photoelectrodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting. This article presents our recent advances in the design and performance control of high-efficiency photoelectrocatalytic materials, followed by the discussion of the strategies employed for improving the performances of photoelectrodes in terms of photon absorption, charge separation and migration, as well as surface chemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengang Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China. and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Building Green Functional Materials, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Zhifeng Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China. and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Building Green Functional Materials, Tianjin 300384, China
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Han J, Xing H, Song Q, Yan H, Kang J, Guo Y, Liu Z. A ZnO@CuO core–shell heterojunction photoanode modified with ZnFe-LDH for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical performance. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:4593-4603. [DOI: 10.1039/d1dt00336d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A highly efficient ZnO@CuO core–shell heterojunction photoanode modified with cocatalyst ZnFe-layered double hydroxides was designed and synthesized in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Han
- College of Science
- Civil Aviation University of China
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Haiyang Xing
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Building Green Functional Materials
- Tianjin Chengjian University
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Qinggong Song
- College of Science
- Civil Aviation University of China
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Huiyu Yan
- College of Science
- Civil Aviation University of China
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Jianhai Kang
- College of Science
- Civil Aviation University of China
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Yanrui Guo
- College of Science
- Civil Aviation University of China
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Zhifeng Liu
- College of Science
- Civil Aviation University of China
- Tianjin
- China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Building Green Functional Materials
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Lan Y, Liu Z, Guo Z, Ruan M, Li X. A promising p-type Co-ZnFe 2O 4 nanorod film as a photocathode for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:5279-5282. [PMID: 32270810 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc00273a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A p-type Co-ZnFe2O4 film with a one-dimensional (1D) rod-like morphology is fabricated for the first time on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) through a hydrothermal reaction and sintering treatment. The p-type Co-ZnFe2O4 is obtained by doping Co ions into n-type ZnFe2O4, in which Zn sites are substituted by Co. Compared with the n-type ZnFe2O4, the light absorption edge of Co-ZnFe2O4 is clearly shifted from 589 to 624 nm, and the positions of the valence/conduction band of Co-ZnFe2O4 meet the thermodynamic requirements for water splitting. The photocurrent density of p-type Co-ZnFe2O4 is -0.22 mA cm-2 at 0 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is enhanced 7.33-times vs. that of n-type ZnFe2O4 (-0.03 mA cm-2 at 0 V vs. RHE). This work provides useful insights into tuning the p-n character of semiconductors to realize efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayao Lan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, 300384, Tianjin, China.
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