Journal
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
Volume 220, Issue -, Pages 362-366Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.08.065
Keywords
Semiconductor; Nickel complex; Water splitting; Interface energetics
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [51672210, 51323011, 51236007]
- Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University [Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University]
- Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province [2014KW07-02]
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [BK20141212]
- Nano Research Program of Suzhou City [ZXG201442]
- Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of China [201335]
- National Program for Support of Top-notch Young Professionals
- Fundamental Research Founds for the Central Universities
- Shenzhen Peacock Plan [1208040050847074]
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Here we report a p-Si photocathode decorated with nickel complex Ni(TEOA)(2)Cl-2 (Nil) in acidic aqueous solution (pH = 0.3) for photoelectrochemical (PEC) H-2 generation. Compared to bare p-Si, p-Si/Nil electrode exhibits significantly enhanced PEC performance, with higher cathodic photocurrent and exceptional lower onset potential. A relatively high photocurrent density of 5.57 mA/cm(2) was obtained at 0.0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under simulated 1 Sun illumination, which is even comparable to that of p-Si/Pt. Furthermore, the highly active p-Si/Nil electrode shows a remarkable stability over 24 h. The possible catalysis mechanism of Nil for p-Si in the PEC H-2 evolution process was also proposed in detail. The excellent PEC performance should be attributed to the Nil engineered p-Si/electrolyte interface energetics and the Nil catalyzed water reduction reaction, leading to robust hydrogen generation and excellent PEC stability. The present study made a deep insight into the engineered interface charge transfer and catalyst -driven surface water reduction processes at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface, which could provide some referable guidelines for fabricating highly efficient PEC system for solar 112 generation from the viewpoint of interface energetics engineering with metal complexes.
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