Article
Electrochemistry
Tengfei Nie, Zhiqing Li, Xinyi Luo, Yonglu She, Liang Liang, Qiang Xu, Liejin Guo
Summary: This paper investigates the evolution of bubbles on the photoelectrode surface and their impact on mass transfer and resistance in photoelectrochemical water splitting. It is found that the resistance decreases significantly at the beginning of bubble growth, but remains almost constant in the later stages. Bubble diameter and contact angle are influenced by light intensity, while bubble nucleation frequency is affected by reaction rates. A force balance model predicts that surface tension and Marangoni force are the main forces preventing bubble departure from the electrode surface.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Nguyen Manh Hung, Vu Thi Bich, Nguyen Duc Quang, Nguyen Tien Hiep, Chuang Nguyen, Sutripto Majumder, Pham Tien Hung, Phung Dinh Hoat, Nguyen Van Hoang, Nguyen Minh Hieu, Tien Dai Nguyen
Summary: A three-dimensional hierarchical CuS-CdS@TiO2 multi-heterostructure with a CuS semiconductor, CdS branches and TiO2 nanorods was designed as a highly efficient photoanode for PEC water splitting. The enhanced PEC performance was attributed to the wide range of solar spectrum absorption in CdS branches, the efficient electron transfer pathway provided by TiO2 nanorods, and the improved separation of electron-hole on the surface of the photoanode facilitated by the p-n junction formed between CuS and CdS@TiO2 heterostructure.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohit Khosya, Dheeraj Kumar, Mohd Faraz, Neeraj Khare
Summary: Hexagonal zinc indium sulfide coupled g-C3N4 (H-ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4) nanocomposites were synthesized via chemisorption method, and their photoelectrochemical water splitting activity was investigated. The H-ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites exhibited a 1.9 times higher photoelectrochemical performance than H-ZnIn2S4. The improved performance can be attributed to the formation of a type-II heterojunction, which enhances the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jihun Kang, Ki-Yong Yoon, Jae-Eun Lee, Juhyung Park, Sourav Chaule, Ji-Hyun Jang
Summary: For the first time, a simple in-situ phosphorus (P) doping strategy was used to improve the photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC) performance of hematite. The introduction of FePO4 regions on the Ti-doped FeOOH surface and subsequent high-temperature annealing resulted in the fabrication of mesoporous P,Ti co-doped Fe2O3 nanorods. The resulting P,Ti-Fe2O3 photoanode exhibited significantly improved photo-current density, and with the deposition of the NiFeOx cocatalyst, it achieved excellent photocurrent density with a remarkable cathodic shift of the onset potential.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Shuji Kamemoto, Yasuaki Matsuda, Masanari Takahashi, Shinya Higashimoto
Summary: Solar hydrogen production from water splitting is a promising alternative energy to fossil fuels due to its environmentally friendly nature and abundant water resources. Copper tin sulfide (CTS), a non-toxic p-type semiconductor composed of abundant elements, has been used for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The CTS photoelectrodes were prepared through electrodeposition of Cu and Sn ions with different Coulomb charges, followed by heating in the presence of solid sulfur. The PEC properties of CTS depend strongly on the Cu/Sn composite ratio, with Sn-rich CTS exhibiting high efficiency in water splitting.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongxia Qian, Zhifeng Liu, Jing Ya, Ying Xin, Jianli Ma, Xiangfeng Wu
Summary: In this study, Co2+ was incorporated into ZnIn2S4 to form a homojunction, promoting carrier separation and transfer efficiency, resulting in significantly higher photocurrent density and charge efficiencies than pure ZnIn2S4.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Reza Keshavarzi, Mahlasadat Mousavian, MirKazem Omrani, Valiollah Mirkhani, Niloufar Afzali, Camilo A. Mesa, Iraj Mohammadpoor-Baltork, Sixto Gimenez
Summary: The research focuses on developing heterostructured BiVO4/WO3 and TiO2/PANi photoanodes for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Through optical modeling of the PEC cell, the spectral activity and light harvesting efficiency are optimized. Tandem and parallel dual-photoelectrode configurations are implemented to improve the collection efficiency. The obtained photocurrents are 1.68 and 2.29 mA/cm(2) at 1.23 V vs RHE for the tandem and parallel configurations, respectively, demonstrating a 4-6-fold enhancement factor.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengzhou Wu, Haoyang Wu, Shaohua Xie, Wenliang Wang, Guoqiang Li
Summary: This research constructed an InN nanorod/Ni(OH)2 heterojunction to enhance the interfacial charge transfer and improve the photoelectric current and efficiency of InN nanomaterials in photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Marwa Mohamed Abouelela, Go Kawamura, Atsunori Matsuda
Summary: Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising technique that transforms solar energy into storable and environmentally friendly chemical energy. Designing semiconductor photoelectrodes with high light absorption capability, rapid e-/h+ separation and transfer, and sufficient chemical stability is essential for the development of an efficient PEC-WS system. Metal chalcogenides have emerged as promising candidates for light absorbers due to their unique electrical and optical characteristics.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Shire Sudi, Long Zhao, Qi Wang, Yunqin Dou, Xiaoliang Shen, Aijian Wang, Weihua Zhu
Summary: This study successfully constructs composite catalysts BiVO4/MTPP by decorating semiconducting materials with sensitizers such as porphyrins with excellent light absorption ability. The performance of the catalysts in photoelectrochemical water splitting is investigated, and it is found that the type of metal ion in the porphyrin core plays a crucial role in the photoelectrochemical performance. The superior BiVO4/MTPP composite catalyst exhibits enhanced photocurrent density due to enhanced electron-hole pair production and slower recombination rate.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Saurabh Pandey, Shereena Joseph, Shital Devinder, Aditya Singh, Suddhasatwa Basu, Joby Joseph
Summary: We have designed a novel photoelectrode consisting of a one-dimensional porous grating of gold nanoparticles on top of an ITO waveguide, realizing a Schottky junction-free plasmonic-photonic hybrid photoelectrode. The photoelectrode generates photoelectrochemical photocurrent solely through plasmonic hole transfer to the molecules/ions at the metal-adsorbed water interface. The spectral overlapping of plasmonic activities with photonic modes and the porosity-induced large metal-electrolyte interface surface area further enhance charge generation and transfer. Compared to conventional gold bar grating photonic crystal and random gold nanoparticles photoelectrodes, the designed photoelectrode shows 3.4 and 12.6-fold increases in the incident photon to electron conversion efficiency (IPCE), respectively. The present study provides a facile strategy for tailoring plasmonic photocurrent generation in futuristic solar energy harvesting applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manal Alruwaili, Anurag Roy, Srijita Nundy, Asif Ali Tahir
Summary: Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising and environmentally-friendly strategy for cost-effective hydrogen production. Researchers have developed a nanostructured TiVO4 photoanode that can generate high photocurrent density under visible light, providing a new solution for water splitting.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jan Pastika, Filipa M. Oliveira, Vlastimil Mazanek, Zdenek Sofer, Rui Gusmao
Summary: Metal phosphorous trichalcogenides (M2P2X6 or MPX3) have promising applications in optoelectronics, photoelectrocatalysis, and water-splitting reactions due to their wide bandgap. The divalent cations of alkaline earth metals can also be constituents in MPX3 2D layered structures. MgPSe3 shows the best photoelectrochemical performance in hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Runjhun Dutta, Rohit Shrivastav, Manju Srivastava, Anuradha Verma, Sakshi Saxena, Neeraj Kumar Biswas, Vibha Rani Satsangi, Sahab Dass
Summary: This article discusses the role of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and categorizes them into different roles. MOFs in PEC have functions such as enhancing light absorption, providing active sites, and guiding charge transfer dynamics. Although MOF-mediated PEC water splitting has promising prospects, it is still rare and in its infancy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Review
Electrochemistry
Yibo Zhao, Zhenjie Niu, Jiwu Zhao, Lan Xue, Xianzhi Fu, Jinlin Long
Summary: Sunlight is abundant but challenging to directly utilize with industrial relevance due to its low energy density, dispersibility, and intermittent nature. Converting sunlight into chemical energy and storing it is a valuable measure for sustainable development. Artificial photosynthetic systems (APSs) based on photoelectrochemical devices are ideal for solar-to-hydrogen conversion. This review comprehensively highlights recent developments in photocathodes, discussing architectures, semiconductor photoabsorbers, performance optimization strategies, and advancements in typical photoelectrodes. Additionally, benchmarks and protocols for designing integrated tandem photoelectrodes and PEC systems are discussed for high-efficiency and cost-effective industrial-scale solar-to-hydrogen conversion.
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)