1
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Hu Y, Hu Q, Chen X, Zhao M, Wang Y, Guan H, Hu X, Wang Y, Feng J. Improved Conductivity and in Situ Formed Heterojunction via Zinc Doping in CuBi 2O 4 for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300897. [PMID: 38323673 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300897] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
As a photocathode with a band gap of about 1.8 eV, copper bismuthate (CuBi2O4) is a promising material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. However, weak charge transfer capability and severe carrier recombination suppress the PEC performance of CuBi2O4. In this paper, the conductivity and carriers transport of CuBi2O4 are improved via introducing Zn2+ into the synthesis precursor of CuBi2O4, driving a beneficial 110 mV positive shift of onset potential in photocurrent. Detailed investigations demonstrate that the introduction of an appropriate amount of zinc leads to in situ segregation of ZnO which serves as an electron transport channel on the surface of CuBi2O4, forming heterojunctions. The synergistic effect of heterojunctions and doping simultaneously promotes the charge transfer and the carrier concentration. OCP experiment proves that ZnO/Zn-CuBi2O4 possesses better charge separation; the Mott-Schottky curve shows that the doping of Zn significantly enhances the carrier concentration; carrier lifetime calculated from time-resolved photoluminescence confirms faster extraction of carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfei Hu
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P. R. China
| | - Qingyuan Hu
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
| | - Xianliu Chen
- Analysis and Test Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, P. R. China
| | - Mengting Zhao
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
| | - Yumeng Wang
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
| | - Hangmin Guan
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
| | - Xuemin Hu
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, P. R. China
| | - Jianyong Feng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P. R. China
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2
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Zhao Y, Niu Z, Zhao J, Xue L, Fu X, Long J. Recent Advancements in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting for Hydrogen Production. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-022-00153-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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3
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Wang Y, Daboczi M, Zhang M, Briscoe J, Kim JS, Yan H, Dunn S. Origin of the switchable photocurrent direction in BiFeO 3 thin films. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:5892-5897. [PMID: 37869990 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01510f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
We report external bias driven switchable photocurrent (anodic and cathodic) in 2.3 eV indirect band gap perovskite (BiFeO3) photoactive thin films. Depending on the applied bias our BiFeO3 films exhibit photocurrents more usually found in p- or n-type semiconductor photoelectrodes. In order to understand the anomalous behaviour ambient photoemission spectroscopy and Kelvin-probe techniques have been used to determine the band structure of the BiFeO3. We found that the Fermi level (Ef) is at -4.96 eV (vs. vacuum) with a mid-gap at -4.93 eV (vs. vacuum). Our photochemically determined flat band potential (Efb) was found to be 0.3 V vs. NHE (-4.8 V vs. vacuum). These band positions indicate that Ef is close to mid-gap, and Efb is close to the equilibrium with the electrolyte enabling either cathodic or anodic band bending. We show an ability to control switching from n- to p-type behaviour through the application of external bias to the BiFeO3 thin film. This ability to control majority carrier dynamics at low applied bias opens a number of applications in novel optoelectronic switches, logic and energy conversion devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Wang
- Institute of Medical Engineering, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Centre, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK.
| | - Matyas Daboczi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Physics and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Man Zhang
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Joe Briscoe
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Ji-Seon Kim
- Department of Physics and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Haixue Yan
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Steve Dunn
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK.
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Fontaine B, Benrkia Y, Blach JF, Mathieu C, Roussel P, Ayesh AI, Sayede A, Saitzek S. Photoelectrochemical properties of copper pyrovanadate (Cu 2V 2O 7) thin films synthesized by pulsed laser deposition. RSC Adv 2023; 13:12161-12174. [PMID: 37091600 PMCID: PMC10113821 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra01509b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymorphic phases of copper pyrovanadate (α- and β-Cu2V2O7) were synthesized by solid state reaction and the mechanisms governing the phase transitions have been highlighted by the ThermoGravimetric Analysis (TGA) and the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The thermal evolution of the lattice parameters was determined by high temperature X-ray Diffraction revealing negative thermal expansion coefficients. The thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential scanning calorimetry was also used to determine the optimal conditions to obtain a dense target in order to produce thin films by the Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique. Thin films elaborated under different oxygen pressures and temperatures exhibit a β-Cu2V2O7 polycrystalline phase and their band gap indicates absorption in the visible range. These oxides can be used as photoanodes and their photoelectrochemical properties were studied for both bulk (α-Cu2V2O7) and thin films (β-Cu2V2O7), as a function of the wavelength and/or intensity of the luminous flux. The best photocurrent efficiency was obtained under 450 nm illumination. Moreover, in the case of thin films, we have observed a linear evolution of the current density with the luminous flux. Finally, the photostability of thin films was measured and shows a reduction in the photocurrent of 8% after 1 h of measurement. This photocorrosion phenomenon was also highlighted by the elemental mapping performed on thin films by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Blandine Fontaine
- Univ. Artois, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Lille, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-62300 Lens France +33 321177955 +33 321791732
| | - Youssef Benrkia
- Univ. Artois, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Lille, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-62300 Lens France +33 321177955 +33 321791732
| | - Jean-François Blach
- Univ. Artois, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Lille, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-62300 Lens France +33 321177955 +33 321791732
| | - Christian Mathieu
- Univ. Artois, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Lille, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-62300 Lens France +33 321177955 +33 321791732
| | - Pascal Roussel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Artois, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-59000 Lille France
| | - Ahmad I Ayesh
- Physics Program, Department of Math. Stat. and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University P. O. Box: 2713 Doha Qatar
| | - Adlane Sayede
- Univ. Artois, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Lille, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-62300 Lens France +33 321177955 +33 321791732
| | - Sébastien Saitzek
- Univ. Artois, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Lille, UMR 8181, Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS) F-62300 Lens France +33 321177955 +33 321791732
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5
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Alkallas FH, Ben Gouider Trabelsi A, Alrebdi TA, Ahmed AM, Rabia M. Development of a Highly Efficient Optoelectronic Device Based on CuFeO 2/CuO/Cu Composite Nanomaterials. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:6857. [PMID: 36234202 PMCID: PMC9572630 DOI: 10.3390/ma15196857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Herein, an optoelectronic device synthesized from a CuFeO2/CuO/Cu nanocomposite was obtained through the direct combustion of Cu foil coated with Fe2O3 nanomaterials. The chemical, morphological, and optical properties of the nanocomposite were examined via different techniques, such as XRD, XPS, TEM, SEM, and UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The optical reflectance demonstrated a great enhancement in the CuFeO2 optical properties compared to CuO nanomaterials. Such enhancements were clearly distinguished through the bandgap values, which varied between 1.35 and 1.38 eV, respectively. The XRD and XPS analyses confirmed the chemical structure of the prepared materials. The produced current density (Jph) was studied in dark and light conditions, thereby confirming the obtained optoelectronic properties. The Jph dependency to monochromatic wavelength was also investigated. The Jph value was equal to 0.033 mA·cm-2 at 390 nm, which decreased to 0.031 mA·cm-2 at 508 nm, and then increased to 0.0315 mA·cm-2 at 636 nm. The light intensity effects were similarly inspected. The Jph values rose when the light intensities were augmented from 25 to 100 mW·cm-2 to reach 0.031 and 0.05 mA·cm-2, respectively. The photoresponsivity (R) and detectivity (D) values were found at 0.33 mA·W-1 and 7.36 × 1010 Jones at 390 nm. The produced values confirm the high light sensitivity of the prepared optoelectronic device in a broad optical region covering UV, Vis, and near IR, with high efficiency. Further works are currently being designed to develop a prototype of such an optoelectronic device so that it can be applied in industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemah H. Alkallas
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amira Ben Gouider Trabelsi
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahani A. Alrebdi
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashour M. Ahmed
- Nanophotonics and Applications Lab, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Rabia
- Nanophotonics and Applications Lab, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
- Nanomaterials Science Research Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
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6
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Loiudice A, Niau BP, Buonsanti R. Crystal-Phase Control of Ternary Metal Oxides by Solid-State Synthesis with Nanocrystals. ACS NANOSCIENCE AU 2022; 2:233-238. [PMID: 37101825 PMCID: PMC10114672 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.1c00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ternary metal oxides are materials of interest for many applications, from batteries to catalysis. Their crystalline structure and composition determine their properties, and thus it is important to achieve control over these features. Here, we demonstrate that solid-state chemistry among nanocrystalline precursors is a promising approach for their synthesis. We show that the crystalline phase of nanocrystal precursors direct that of the ternary reaction product. The combination of X-ray and electron microscopy techniques reveals that the spinel and rhombohedral phases of copper iron oxide are obtained by reacting copper nanocrystals with spinel γ-Fe2O3 and corundum α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals, respectively. Considering the available library of nanocrystals with tunable crystal phases, this discovery opens up an alternative pathway toward the synthesis of a wide variety of ternary and quaternary materials, including those with metastable phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Loiudice
- Laboratory of Nanochemistry for Energy Research, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Politechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Sion CH-1950, Switzerland
| | - Bastien P.G. Niau
- Laboratory of Nanochemistry for Energy Research, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Politechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Sion CH-1950, Switzerland
| | - Raffaella Buonsanti
- Laboratory of Nanochemistry for Energy Research, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Politechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Sion CH-1950, Switzerland
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7
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Ramacharyulu PVRK, Lee YH, Kawashima K, Youn DH, Kim JH, Wygant BR, Mullins CB, Kim CW. A phase transition-induced photocathodic p-CuFeO 2 nanocolumnar film by reactive ballistic deposition. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04656j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Vertical nanocolumnar Cu–Fe–O electrodes synthesized by the reactive ballistic deposition technique followed by heat treatment in an Ar atmosphere undergo a switch for conductivity at elevated temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. V. R. K. Ramacharyulu
- Department of Nanotechnology Engineering, College of Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Ho Lee
- Department of Smart and Green Technology Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Kenta Kawashima
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Texas Materials Institute, Center for Electrochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Duck Hyun Youn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyuk Kim
- Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), Busan, 48400, Republic of Korea
| | - Bryan R. Wygant
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Texas Materials Institute, Center for Electrochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - C. Buddie Mullins
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Texas Materials Institute, Center for Electrochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Chang Woo Kim
- Department of Nanotechnology Engineering, College of Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea
- Department of Smart and Green Technology Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
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8
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Chakraborty P, Ahamed ST, Mandal P, Mondal A, Banerjee D. Polypyrrole and a polypyrrole/nickel oxide composite – single-walled carbon nanotube enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj02336a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel NiO/PPy/SWCNT composite for removal of organic dyes with an emphasis on the effect of photocatalytic charge carrier transport and photoluminescence properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasenjit Chakraborty
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur, Howrah 711103, India
| | - Sk. Taheruddin Ahamed
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur, Howrah 711103, India
| | - Pinaki Mandal
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur, Howrah 711103, India
| | - Anup Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur, Howrah 711103, India
| | - Dipali Banerjee
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, Shibpur, Howrah 711103, India
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9
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Baran T, Visibile A, Busch M, He X, Wojtyla S, Rondinini S, Minguzzi A, Vertova A. Copper Oxide-Based Photocatalysts and Photocathodes: Fundamentals and Recent Advances. Molecules 2021; 26:7271. [PMID: 34885863 PMCID: PMC8658916 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This work aims at reviewing the most impactful results obtained on the development of Cu-based photocathodes. The need of a sustainable exploitation of renewable energy sources and the parallel request of reducing pollutant emissions in airborne streams and in waters call for new technologies based on the use of efficient, abundant, low-toxicity and low-cost materials. Photoelectrochemical devices that adopts abundant element-based photoelectrodes might respond to these requests being an enabling technology for the direct use of sunlight to the production of energy fuels form water electrolysis (H2) and CO2 reduction (to alcohols, light hydrocarbons), as well as for the degradation of pollutants. This review analyses the physical chemical properties of Cu2O (and CuO) and the possible strategies to tune them (doping, lattice strain). Combining Cu with other elements in multinary oxides or in composite photoelectrodes is also discussed in detail. Finally, a short overview on the possible applications of these materials is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Baran
- SajTom Light Future, Wężerów 37/1, 32-090 Wężerów, Poland; (T.B.); (S.W.)
| | - Alberto Visibile
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Michael Busch
- Department of Chemistry and Material Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland;
| | - Xiufang He
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy; (X.H.); (S.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Szymon Wojtyla
- SajTom Light Future, Wężerów 37/1, 32-090 Wężerów, Poland; (T.B.); (S.W.)
| | - Sandra Rondinini
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy; (X.H.); (S.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Alessandro Minguzzi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy; (X.H.); (S.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Alberto Vertova
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy; (X.H.); (S.R.); (A.V.)
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10
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Brewster DA, Koch MD, Knowles KE. Evaluation of electrochemical properties of nanostructured metal oxide electrodes immersed in redox-inactive organic media. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:17904-17916. [PMID: 34378559 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02370e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes analysis of dropcast nanocrystalline and electrochemically deposited films of NiO and α-Fe2O3 as model metal oxide semiconductors immersed in redox-inactive organic electrolyte solutions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Although the data reported here fit a circuit commonly used to model EIS data of metal oxide electrodes, which comprises an RC circuit nested inside a second RC circuit that is in series with a resistor, our interpretation of the physical meaning of these circuit elements differs from that applied to EIS measurements of metal oxide electrodes immersed in redox-active media. The data presented here are most consistent with an interpretation in which the nested RC circuit represents charge transfer between the metal oxide film and the underlying metal electrode, and the non-nested RC circuit represents the resistance and capacitance associated with formation of a charge-compensating double-layer at the exposed interface between the metal electrode and electrolyte solution. Applying this interpretation to analysis of EIS data collected for metal oxide films in organic media enables the impact of film morphology on electrochemical behavior to be distinguished from the effects of the intrinsic electronic structure of the metal oxide. This distinction is crucial to the evaluation of nanostructured metal oxide electrodes for electrochemical energy storage and electrocatalysis applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Brewster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA.
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11
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Tan R, Hwang SW, Sivanantham A, Cho IS. Solution synthesis and activation of spinel CuAl2O4 film for solar water-splitting. J Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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12
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Yang L, Zhang C, Yu X, Yao Y, Li Z, Wu C, Yao W, Zou Z. Extraterrestrial artificial photosynthetic materials for in-situ resource utilization. Natl Sci Rev 2021; 8:nwab104. [PMID: 34691720 PMCID: PMC8363334 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwab104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerospace milestones in human history, including returning to the moon and manned Martian missions, have been implemented in recent years. Space exploration has become one of the global common goals, and to ensure the survival and development of human beings in the extraterrestrial extreme environment has been becoming the basic ability and technology of manned space exploration. For the purpose of fulfilling the goal of extraterrestrial survival, researchers in Nanjing University and the China Academy of Space Technology proposed extraterrestrial artificial photosynthesis (EAP) technology. By simulating the natural photosynthesis of green plants on the Earth, EAP converts CO2/H2O into fuel and O2 in an in-situ, accelerated and controllable manner by using waste CO2 in the confined space of spacecraft, or abundant CO2 resources in extraterrestrial celestial environments, e.g. Mars. Thus, the material loading of manned spacecraft can be greatly reduced to support affordable and sustainable deep space exploration. In this paper, EAP technology is compared with existing methods of converting CO2/H2O into fuel and O2 in the aerospace field, especially the Sabatier method and Bosch reduction method. The research progress of possible EAP materials for in-situ utilization of extraterrestrial resources are also discussed in depth. Finally, this review lists the challenges that the EAP process may encounter, which need to be focused on for future implementation and application. We expect to deepen the understanding of artificial photosynthetic materials and technologies, and aim to strongly support the development of manned spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuqing Yang
- Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ce Zhang
- Qian Xuesen Laboratory of Space Technology, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Xiwen Yu
- Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yingfang Yao
- Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- KunshanInnovation Institute of Nanjing University, Suzhou 215347, China
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhaosheng Li
- Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Congping Wu
- Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- KunshanInnovation Institute of Nanjing University, Suzhou 215347, China
| | - Wei Yao
- Qian Xuesen Laboratory of Space Technology, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Zhigang Zou
- Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Qian Xuesen Laboratory of Space Technology, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100094, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Macau Institute of Systems Engineering, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
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13
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Shelton JL, Knowles KE. Thermally Activated Optical Absorption into Polaronic States in Hematite. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:3343-3351. [PMID: 33779162 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c03751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polaron formation, whereby an electron or hole strongly couples to a lattice distortion, inhibits the carrier mobility of many first-row transition metal oxide semiconductors. Recently reported XUV transient absorption measurements of hematite (α-Fe2O3) demonstrate formation of electron small polarons upon photoexcitation into an undistorted charge-transfer state followed by subpicosecond lattice reorganization. Here, we show that polaronic states of hematite can be accessed directly via optical transitions from the ground state in a thermally activated lattice. Thermal difference spectra collected from 30 to 573 K combined with Stokes resonance Raman spectra indicate strong coupling between optical transitions near the band-edge (2.1-2.3 eV) and zone-center a1g and longitudinal (LO) optical phonons. Density functional theory calculations of the electronic and vibrational structures of pristine and polaron-distorted hematite lattices confirm that the geometric distortion corresponding to electron small polaron formation lies along the 28-meV a1g and 81-meV LO phonon coordinates and reproduce the features observed in the experimental thermal difference and resonance Raman spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Shelton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Kathryn E Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
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14
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Role of plasmonic Au nanoparticles embedded in the diamond-like carbon overlayer in the performance of CuFeO2 solar photocathodes. J Solid State Electrochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-020-04876-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Ghedini E, Pizzolato M, Longo L, Menegazzo F, Zanardo D, Signoretto M. Which Are the Main Surface Disinfection Approaches at the Time of SARS-CoV-2? FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2020.589202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Among many guidelines issued by the World Health Organization to prevent contagion from novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), disinfection of animate and inanimate surfaces has emerged as a key issue. One effective approach to prevent its propagation can be achieved by disinfecting air, skin, or surfaces. A thorough and rational application of an Environmental Protection Agent for disinfection of surfaces, as well as a good personal hygiene, including cleaning hands with appropriate products (e.g., 60–90% alcohol-based product) should minimize transmission of viral respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Critical issues, associated with the potential health hazard of chemical disinfectants and the ineffective duration of most of the treatments, have fostered the introduction of innovative and alternative disinfection approaches. The present review aims to provide an outline of methods currently used for inanimate surface disinfection with a look to the future and a focus on the development of innovative and effective disinfection approaches (e.g., metal nanoparticles, photocatalysis, self-cleaning, and self-disinfection) with particular focus on SARS-CoV-2. The research reviews are, usually, focused on a specific category of disinfection methods, and therefore they are limited. On the contrary, a panoramic review with a wider focus, as the one here proposed, can be an added value for operators in the sector and generally for the scientific community.
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16
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Ferri M, Elliott JD, Camellone MF, Fabris S, Piccinin S. CuFeO 2–Water Interface under Illumination: Structural, Electronic, and Catalytic Implications for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c05066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ferri
- International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Joshua David Elliott
- CNR-IOM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto Officina dei Materiali, c/o SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Farnesi Camellone
- CNR-IOM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto Officina dei Materiali, c/o SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Fabris
- CNR-IOM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto Officina dei Materiali, c/o SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Piccinin
- CNR-IOM, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto Officina dei Materiali, c/o SISSA, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
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17
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Wang J, Cui Y, Wang Q, Wang K, Huang X, Stenzel D, Sarkar A, Azmi R, Bergfeldt T, Bhattacharya SS, Kruk R, Hahn H, Schweidler S, Brezesinski T, Breitung B. Lithium containing layered high entropy oxide structures. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18430. [PMID: 33116224 PMCID: PMC7595184 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75134-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Layered Delafossite-type Lix(M1M2M3M4M5…Mn)O2 materials, a new class of high-entropy oxides, were synthesized by nebulized spray pyrolysis and subsequent high-temperature annealing. Various metal species (M = Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Zn, Cr, Ti, Zr, Cu) could be incorporated into this structure type, and in most cases, single-phase oxides were obtained. Delafossite structures are well known and the related materials are used in different fields of application, especially in electrochemical energy storage (e.g., LiNixCoyMnzO2 [NCM]). The transfer of the high-entropy concept to this type of materials and the successful structural replication enabled the preparation of novel compounds with unprecedented properties. Here, we report on the characterization of a series of Delafossite-type high-entropy oxides by means of TEM, SEM, XPS, ICP-OES, Mössbauer spectroscopy, XRD including Rietveld refinement analysis, SAED and STEM mapping and discuss about the role of entropy stabilization. Our experimental data indicate the formation of uniform solid-solution structures with some Li/M mixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbo Wang
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Yanyan Cui
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Qingsong Wang
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 2, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Department of Materials and Earth Sciences, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 2, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - David Stenzel
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Abhishek Sarkar
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Joint Research Laboratory Nanomaterials - Technische Universität Darmstadt and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Otto-Berndt-Str. 3, 64206, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Raheleh Azmi
- Institute for Applied Materials, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Thomas Bergfeldt
- Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMF), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Subramshu S Bhattacharya
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nano Functional Materials Technology Centre (NFMTC), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Robert Kruk
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Horst Hahn
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Joint Research Laboratory Nanomaterials - Technische Universität Darmstadt and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Otto-Berndt-Str. 3, 64206, Darmstadt, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute Ulm for Electrochemical Energy Storage, Helmholtzstr. 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Schweidler
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Torsten Brezesinski
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
| | - Ben Breitung
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
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18
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Oh S, Kang H, Joo W, Joo Y. Photoelectrochemical CO
2
Reduction via Cu
2
O/CuFeO
2
Hierarchical nanorods photocatalyst. ChemCatChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202000775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sang‐Ho Oh
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering Seoul National University 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu 151-744 Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Ho‐Young Kang
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering Seoul National University 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu 151-744 Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Won‐Hyo Joo
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering Seoul National University 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu 151-744 Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Young‐Chang Joo
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering Seoul National University 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu 151-744 Seoul Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu 151-742 Seoul Republic of Korea
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19
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Extending lifetime of photoinduced charge carriers in CuO photocathode by Zn doping for photoelectrochemical water reduction. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2020.121603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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20
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Recent Advancements and Future Prospects in Ultrathin 2D Semiconductor-Based Photocatalysts for Water Splitting. Catalysts 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/catal10101111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor-mediated photocatalysts have shown their compelling potential and have arguably received tremendous attention in photocatalysis because of their superior thickness-dependent physical, chemical, mechanical and optical properties. Although numerous comprehensions about 2D semiconductor photocatalysts have been amassed up to now, low cost efficiency, degradation, kinetics of charge transfer along with recycling are still the big challenges to realize a wide application of 2D semiconductor-based photocatalysis. At present, most photocatalysts still need rare or expensive noble metals to improve the photocatalytic activity, which inhibits their commercial-scale application extremely. Thus, developing less costly, earth-abundant semiconductor-based photocatalysts with efficient conversion of sunlight energy remains the primary challenge. In this review, it begins with a brief description of the general mechanism of overall photocatalytic water splitting. Then a concise overview of different types of 2D semiconductor-mediated photocatalysts is given to figure out the advantages and disadvantages for mentioned semiconductor-based photocatalysis, including the structural property and stability, synthesize method, electrochemical property and optical properties for H2/O2 production half reaction along with overall water splitting. Finally, we conclude this review with a perspective, marked on some remaining challenges and new directions of 2D semiconductor-mediated photocatalysts.
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21
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Lhermitte CR, Polo A, Yao L, Boudoire FA, Guijarro N, Sivula K. Generalized Synthesis to Produce Transparent Thin Films of Ternary Metal Oxide Photoelectrodes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2020; 13:3645-3653. [PMID: 32372487 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202000926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Developing facile approaches to prepare non-light-scattering ternary oxide thin film photoelectrodes is an important goal for solar water splitting tandem cells. Herein, a novel synthesis route is reported that employs ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to enable compatible water solubility of diverse metal cations, which affords transparent films by solution processing. By using BiVO4 as a model material, a remarkable improvement in transparency is demonstrated, quantified by the direct transmittance at 600 nm of >80 % versus the <10 % observed with state-of-the-art electrodeposited thin films while maintaining reasonable solar-driven oxidation photocurrents (1.75 mA cm-2 in the presence of a sulfite hole scavenger). Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the synthesis technique can be applied in a general fashion towards the synthesis of diverse n- and p-type metal oxide materials, such as ZnFe2 O4 and CuFeO2 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles R Lhermitte
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Polo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi 19, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Liang Yao
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Florent A Boudoire
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nestor Guijarro
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Sivula
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Sun X, Tiwari D, Fermin DJ. Promoting Active Electronic States in LaFeO 3 Thin-Films Photocathodes via Alkaline-Earth Metal Substitution. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:31486-31495. [PMID: 32539332 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c08174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of alkaline-earth metal cation (AMC; Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+) substitution on the photoelectrochemical properties of phase-pure LaFeO3 (LFO) thin-films are elucidated by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). XRD confirms the formation of single-phase cubic LFO thin films with a rather complex dependence on the nature of the AMC and extent of substitution. Interestingly, subtle trends in lattice constant variations observed in XRD are closely correlated with shifts in the binding energies of Fe 2p3/2 and O 1s orbitals associated with the perovskite lattice. We establish a scaling factor between these two photoemission peaks, unveiling key correlation between Fe oxidation state and Fe-O covalency. Diffuse reflectance shows that optical transitions are little affected by AMC substitution below 10%, which are dominated by a direct bandgap transition close to 2.72 eV. Differential capacitance data obtained from EIS confirm the p-type characteristic of pristine LFO thin-films, revealing the presence of sub-bandgap electronic state (A-states) close to the valence band edge. The density of A-states is decreased upon AMC substitution, while the overall capacitance increases (increase in dopant level) and the apparent flat-band potential shifts toward more positive potentials. This behavior is consistent with the change in the valence band photoemission edge. In addition, capacitance data of cation-substituted films show the emergence of deeper states centered around 0.6 eV above the valence band edge (B-states). Photoelectrochemical responses toward the hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions in alkaline solutions show a complex dependence on alkaline-earth metal incorporation, reaching incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency close to 20% in oxygen saturated solutions. We rationalize the photoresponses of the LFO films in terms of the effect sub-bandgap states on majority carrier mobility, charge transfer, and recombination kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - Devendra Tiwari
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - David J Fermin
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
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23
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Wrede S, Tian H. Towards sustainable and efficient p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes for solar energy conversion. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:13850-13861. [PMID: 32567609 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01363c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In order to meet the ever-growing global energy demand for affordable and clean energy, it is essential to provide this energy by renewable resources and consider the eco-efficiency of the production and abundance of the utilised materials. While this is seldom discussed in the case of technologies still in the research stage, addressing the issue of sustainability is key to push research in the right direction. Here we provide an overview of the current p-type metal oxide semiconductor materials in dye-sensitised photocathodes, considering element abundance, synthetic methods and large scale fabrication as well as the underlying physical properties that are necessary for efficient solar harvesting devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Wrede
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström Lab., Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden.
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24
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Son MK, Seo H, Watanabe M, Shiratani M, Ishihara T. Characteristics of crystalline sputtered LaFeO 3 thin films as photoelectrochemical water splitting photocathodes. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:9653-9660. [PMID: 32319489 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr01762k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) operation is a critical issue for the commercialization of PEC water-splitting systems. Unfortunately, most semiconductor photocathodes generating hydrogen in these systems are unstable in aqueous solutions. This is a huge limitation for the development of durable PEC water-splitting systems. Lanthanum iron oxide (LaFeO3) is a promising p-type semiconductor to overcome this drawback because of its stability in an aqueous solution and its proper energy level for reducing water. In this study, we fabricated a crystalline LaFeO3 thin film by radio frequency magnetron sputtering deposition and a post-annealing process in air for use as a PEC photocathode. Based on the morphological, compositional, optical and electronic characterizations, we found that it was ideal for a visible light-responsive PEC photocathode and tandem PEC water-splitting system with a small band gap absorber behind it. Furthermore, it showed stable PEC performance in a strong alkaline solution during PEC operation without any protection layers. Therefore, the crystalline sputtered LaFeO3 thin film suggested in this study would be feasible to apply as a PEC photocathode for durable, simple and low-cost PEC water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Kyu Son
- Molecular Photoconversion Devices Research Division, International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research(I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. and Center of Plasma Nano-interface Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hyunwoong Seo
- Department of Energy Engineering, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Motonori Watanabe
- Molecular Photoconversion Devices Research Division, International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research(I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
| | - Masaharu Shiratani
- Center of Plasma Nano-interface Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan and Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Tatsumi Ishihara
- Molecular Photoconversion Devices Research Division, International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research(I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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25
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Kampmann J, Betzler S, Hajiyani H, Häringer S, Beetz M, Harzer T, Kraus J, Lotsch BV, Scheu C, Pentcheva R, Fattakhova-Rohlfing D, Bein T. How photocorrosion can trick you: a detailed study on low-bandgap Li doped CuO photocathodes for solar hydrogen production. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:7766-7775. [PMID: 32215409 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr10250g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency of photoelectrochemical tandem cells is still limited by the availability of stable low band gap electrodes. In this work, we report a photocathode based on lithium doped copper(ii) oxide, a black p-type semiconductor. Density functional theory calculations with a Hubbard U term show that low concentrations of Li (Li0.03Cu0.97O) lead to an upward shift of the valence band maximum that crosses the Fermi level and results in a p-type semiconductor. Therefore, Li doping emerged as a suitable approach to manipulate the electronic structure of copper oxide based photocathodes. As this material class suffers from instability in water under operating conditions, the recorded photocurrents are repeatedly misinterpreted as hydrogen evolution evidence. We investigated the photocorrosion behavior of LixCu1-xO cathodes in detail and give the first mechanistic study of the fundamental physical process. The reduced copper oxide species were localized by electron energy loss spectroscopy mapping. Cu2O grows as distinct crystallites on the surface of LixCu1-xO instead of forming a dense layer. Additionally, there is no obvious Cu2O gradient inside the films, as Cu2O seems to form on all LixCu1-xO nanocrystals exposed to water. The application of a thin Ti0.8Nb0.2Ox coating by atomic layer deposition and the deposition of a platinum co-catalyst increased the stability of LixCu1-xO against decomposition. These devices showed a stable hydrogen evolution for 15 minutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Kampmann
- Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13 (E), 81377 Munich, Germany.
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26
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Hydrogenation of ZnFe2O4 Flat Films: Effects of the Pre-Annealing Temperature on the Photoanodes Efficiency for Water Oxidation. SURFACES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/surfaces3010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The effects induced by post-synthesis hydrogenation on ZnFe2O4 flat films in terms of photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoanodes for water oxidation have been deeply investigated as a function of the pre-annealing temperature of the materials. The structure and morphology of the films greatly affect the efficacy of the post synthesis treatment. In fact, highly compact films are obtained upon pre-annealing at high temperatures, and this limits the exposure of the material bulk to the reductive H2 atmosphere, making the treatment largely ineffective. On the other hand, a mild hydrogen treatment greatly enhances the separation of photoproduced charges in films pre-annealed at lower temperatures, as a result of the introduction of oxygen vacancies with n-type character. A comparison between present results and those obtained with ZnFe2O4 nanorods clearly demonstrates that specific structural and/or surface properties, together with the initial film morphology, differently affect the overall contribution of post-synthesis hydrogenation on the efficiency of zinc ferrite-based photoanodes.
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27
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Semiconducting p-Type Copper Iron Oxide Thin Films Deposited by Hybrid Reactive-HiPIMS + ECWR and Reactive-HiPIMS Magnetron Plasma System. COATINGS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings10030232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (r-HiPIMS) and a reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering combined with electron cyclotron wave resonance plasma source (r-HiPIMS + ECWR) were used for the deposition of p-type CuFexOy thin films on glass with SnO2F conductive layer (FTO). The aim of this work was to deposit CuFexOy films with different atomic ratio of Cu and Fe atoms contained in the films by these two reactive sputtering methods and find deposition conditions that lead to growth of films with maximum amount of delafossite phase CuFeO2. Deposited copper iron oxide films were subjected to photoelectrochemical measurement in cathodic region in order to test the possibility of application of these films as photocathodes in solar hydrogen production. The time stability of the deposited films during photoelectrochemical measurement was evaluated. In the system r-HiPIMS + ECWR, an additional plasma source based on special modification of inductively coupled plasma, which works with an electron cyclotron wave resonance ECWR, was used for further enhancement of plasma density ne and electron temperature Te at the substrate during the reactive sputtering deposition process. A radio frequency (RF) planar probe was used for the determination of time evolution of ion flux density iionflux at the position of the substrate during the discharge pulses. Special modification of this probe to fast sweep the probe system made it possible to determine the time evolution of the tail electron temperature Te at energies around floating potential Vfl and the time evolution of ion concentration ni. This plasma diagnostics was done at particular deposition conditions in pure r-HiPIMS plasma and in r-HiPIMS with additional ECWR plasma. Generally, it was found that the obtained ion flux density iionflux and the tail electron temperature Te were systematically higher in case of r-HiPIMS + ECWR plasma than in pure r-HiPIMS during the active part of discharge pulses. Furthermore, in case of hybrid discharge plasma excitation, r-HiPIMS + ECWR plasma has also constant plasma density all the time between active discharge pulses ni ≈ 7 × 1016 m−3 and electron temperature Te ≈ 4 eV, on the contrary in pure r-HiPIMS ni and Te were negligible during the “OFF” time between active discharge pulses. CuFexOy thin films with different atomic ration of Cu/Fe were deposited at different conditions and various crystal structures were achieved after annealing in air, in argon and in vacuum. Photocurrents in cathodic region for different achieved crystal structures were observed by chopped light linear voltammetry and material stability by chronoamperometry under simulated solar light and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Optimization of depositions conditions results in the desired Cu/Fe ratio in deposited films. Optimized r-HiPIMS and r-HiPIMS + ECWR plasma deposition at 500 °C together with post deposition heat treatment at 650 °C in vacuum is essential for the formation of stable and photoactive CuFeO2 phase.
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28
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Freeman E, Kumar S, Thomas SR, Pickering H, Fermin DJ, Eslava S. PrFeO
3
Photocathodes Prepared Through Spray Pyrolysis. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201902005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Freeman
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY UK
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Catalysis School of Chemistry Cardiff University Park Place Cardiff CF10 3AT UK
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering Imperial College London South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Sophie R. Thomas
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY UK
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Catalysis School of Chemistry Cardiff University Park Place Cardiff CF10 3AT UK
| | - Hayley Pickering
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY UK
| | - David J. Fermin
- School of Chemistry University of Bristol Cantock's close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Salvador Eslava
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY UK
- Department of Chemical Engineering Imperial College London South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ UK
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29
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Zhang L, Cao H, Lu Y, Zhang H, Hou G, Tang Y, Zheng G. Effective combination of CuFeO 2 with high temperature resistant Nb-doped TiO 2 nanotube arrays for CO 2 photoelectric reduction. J Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 568:198-206. [PMID: 32088450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report a simple approach to synthesize CuFeO2/TNNTs photocathodes composed of high-temperature resistance n-type Nb-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNNTs) and p-type CuFeO2 for CO2 reduction. TNNTs were prepared by anodic oxidation on TiNb alloy sheets and CuFeO2/TNNTs were then prepared by coating precursor liquid onto TNNTs followed by heat treatment in argon atmosphere. The microstructures of CuFeO2/TNNTs and TNNTs before and after heat treatment were investigated by SEM and TEM. The phase compositions of CuFeO2/TNNTs were studied by XRD and XPS, and the light absorption performance were tested by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum. Results show that TNNTs exhibit a regular nanotube arrays structure and this structure is well remained after the calcination at 650 °C. In addition, TNNTs show similar semiconductor properties to n-type TiO2, which enables them to be integrated with p-type CuFeO2 to obtain composite photocathodes with a p-n junction. The synthesized CuFeO2/TNNTs photocathode is well crystallized because no other crystalline iron or copper compounds are included in the prepared photocathode. Furthermore, the photocathode shows high light absorption and fast carrier transport due to the appropriate band gap and p-n junction. As a result, high photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction performance with high selectivity to ethanol is obtained on this photocathode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Huazhen Cao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Yueheng Lu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Huibin Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Guangya Hou
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yiping Tang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Guoqu Zheng
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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30
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Monllor-Satoca D, Díez-García MI, Lana-Villarreal T, Gómez R. Photoelectrocatalytic production of solar fuels with semiconductor oxides: materials, activity and modeling. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:12272-12289. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc04387g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transition metal oxides keep on being excellent candidates as electrode materials for the photoelectrochemical conversion of solar energy into chemical energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Monllor-Satoca
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica
- Universitat d'Alacant
- Alicante
- Spain
| | - María Isabel Díez-García
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica
- Universitat d'Alacant
- Alicante
- Spain
| | - Teresa Lana-Villarreal
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica
- Universitat d'Alacant
- Alicante
- Spain
| | - Roberto Gómez
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica
- Universitat d'Alacant
- Alicante
- Spain
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31
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Jiang T, Xu C, Zhang Y, Xue H, Tian J. Wet chemical epitaxial growth of a cactus-like CuFeO 2/ZnO heterojunction for improved photocatalysis. Dalton Trans 2020; 49:9574-9578. [PMID: 32638788 DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01813a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A wet chemical epitaxial growth method was employed to fabricate a cactus-like CuFeO2/ZnO heterojunction for the photocatalytic reduction of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou 225002
- People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou 225002
- People's Republic of China
| | - Yihan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou 225002
- People's Republic of China
| | - Huaiguo Xue
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou 225002
- People's Republic of China
| | - Jingqi Tian
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Yangzhou University
- Yangzhou 225002
- People's Republic of China
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32
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Akin S, Sadegh F, Turan S, Sonmezoglu S. Inorganic CuFeO 2 Delafossite Nanoparticles as Effective Hole Transport Materials for Highly Efficient and Long-Term Stable Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:45142-45149. [PMID: 31701749 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b14740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The regular architecture (n-i-p) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has attracted increasing interest in the renewable energy field, owing to high certified efficiencies in the recent years. However, there are still serious obstacles of PSCs associated with spiro-OMeTAD hole transport material (HTM), such as (i) prohibitively expensive material cost (∼150-500 $/g) and (ii) operational instability at elevated temperatures and high humidity levels. Herein, we have reported the highly photo, thermal, and moisture-stable and cost-effective PSCs employing inorganic CuFeO2 delafossite nanoparticles as a HTM layer, for the first time. By exhibiting superior hole mobility and additive-free nature, the best-performing cell achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.6% with a negligible hysteresis. Despite exhibiting a lower PCE as compared to the spiro-OMeTAD-based control cell (19.1%), nonencapsulated CuFeO2-based cells maintained above 85% of their initial efficiency, while the PCE of control cells dropped to ∼10% under continuous illumination at maximum power point tracking after 1000 h. More importantly, the performance of control cells was quickly degraded at above 70 °C, whereas CuFeO2-based cells, retaining ∼80% of their initial efficiency after 200 h, were highly stable even at 85 °C in ambient air under dark conditions. Besides showing significant improvement in stability against light soaking and thermal stress, CuFeO2-based cells exhibited superior shelf stability even at 80 ± 5% relative humidity and retained over 90% of their initial PCE. Overall, we strongly believe that this study highlights the potential of inorganic HTMs for the commercial deployment of long-term stable and low-cost PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seckin Akin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Eskisehir Technical University , Eskisehir 25100 , Turkey
| | - Faranak Sadegh
- Department of Chemistry, Catalysis Division , University of Isfahan , Isfahan 81746-73441 , Iran
| | - Servet Turan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Eskisehir Technical University , Eskisehir 25100 , Turkey
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33
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Zhang H, Lee JS. Hybrid Microwave Annealing Synthesizes Highly Crystalline Nanostructures for (Photo)electrocatalytic Water Splitting. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:3132-3142. [PMID: 31603645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen is regarded as an ideal energy carrier for the hydrogen economy that could replace the current hydrocarbon economy in order to achieve global energy security and mitigate climate change. For this purpose, H2 has to be produced from renewable sources (e.g., solar and wind) without producing global-warming CO2. (Photo)electrolysis of water into H2 and O2 is one of the most promising technologies for the production of renewable H2, which requires (photo)electrocatalysts of high efficiency, chemical robustness, and scalability. An essential attribute required for high-efficiency (photo)electrodes is high crystallinity with few defects to facilitate charge transfer without recombination. To this end, fabrication of photoelectrodes is usually completed with high temperature thermal annealing in a furnace. However, conventional thermal annealing (CTA) always results in undesirable crystal sintering, which reduces the surface area, and damage to the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrate. An emerging alternative method, hybrid microwave annealing (HMA), offers the beneficial effect of the high-temperature annealing (crystallinity) while minimizing its negative effects of sintering and TCO damage, enabling the fabrication of efficient (photo)electrodes for water splitting. HMA combines direct microwave heating with additional heating from an effective microwave absorber (called a susceptor), thereby avoiding a nonuniform temperature distribution between the interior and exterior of the synthesized material. More importantly, an extremely high temperature of the entire sample can be reached in only a few minutes. Compared with CTA, HMA has several advantages in the preparation of (photo)electrodes: (i) formation of a high-purity phase; (ii) high crystallinity with fewer defects; (iii) preservation of the original nanostructure; (iv) less damage to the TCO substrate for photoelectrodes; (v) smaller nanocrystals and uniform dispersion of catalyst particles. Overall, HMA is a convenient, ultrafast, and energy-economical technology for the synthesis of efficient (photo)electrodes. In this Account, we discuss recent progress made in our laboratory on HMA for preparing photoanodes (Fe2O3, BiVO4, ZnFe2O4, and Fe2TiO5), photocathodes (Cu2O and CuFeO2), and a graphene-based electrocatalyst (MoS2/graphene composite), which exhibit distinctive behavior and efficient performance in (photo)electrocatalytic water splitting. In particular, we have advanced the HMA technique further to synthesize hematite-based photoanodes with core-shell heterojunction nanorods (Nb,Sn:Fe2O3@FeNbO4 and Ta,Sn:Fe2O3@FeTaO4) by solid-solid interface reaction, which simultaneously achieves multiple doping effects (Nb or Ta, Sn) to improve the photoelectrocatalysis of water splitting. Thus, this Account focuses on the synthetic aspects of HMA, which may offer new research opportunities for the synthesis of other metal oxide (photo)electrode materials and hybrid electrocatalysts in the fields of solar energy conversion and storage, secondary batteries, and H2 fuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemin Zhang
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Sung Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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Lumley MA, Radmilovic A, Jang YJ, Lindberg AE, Choi KS. Perspectives on the Development of Oxide-Based Photocathodes for Solar Fuel Production. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:18358-18369. [PMID: 31693356 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b07976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs), which use semiconductor electrodes (photoelectrodes) to absorb solar energy and perform chemical reactions, constitute one of the most attractive strategies to produce chemical fuels using renewable energy sources. Oxide-based photoelectrodes specifically have been intensively investigated for the construction of PECs due to their relatively inexpensive processing costs and better stability in aqueous media compared with other types of photoelectrodes. Although there have been many advancements in the development of oxide-based photoanodes, our understanding of oxide-based photocathodes remains limited. The goal of this Perspective is to examine the recent progress made in the field of oxide-based photocathodes and discuss future research directions. The photocathode systems considered here include binary and ternary Cu-based photocathodes and ternary Fe-based photocathodes. We assessed the characteristics and major advantages and drawbacks of each system and identified the most critical research gaps. The insights and discussions provided in this Perspective will serve as useful resources for the design of future studies, leading to the development of more efficient and practical PECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A Lumley
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Andjela Radmilovic
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Youn Jeong Jang
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Ann E Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Kyoung-Shin Choi
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
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35
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Pan L, Vlachopoulos N, Hagfeldt A. Directly Photoexcited Oxides for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. CHEMSUSCHEM 2019; 12:4337-4352. [PMID: 31478349 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201900849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Artificial photosynthesis promises to become a sustainable way to harvest solar energy and store it in chemical fuels by means of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. Although it is intriguing to shift the fossil-fuel-based economy to a renewable carbon-neutral one, which will alleviate environmental problems, there is still a long way to go before it rivals traditional energy sources. Existing solar water-splitting devices can be sorted into three categories: photovoltaic-powered electrolysis, PEC water splitting, and photocatalysis (PC). PEC and PC systems hold the potential to further reduce the cost of devices due to their simple structures in which photoabsorbers and catalysts are closely integrated. PC is expected to be the least expensive approach; however, additional costs and concerns are brought about by the subsequent explosive gas separation. At the heart of all devices, semiconductor photoabsorbers should be efficient, robust, and cheap to satisfy the strict requirements on the market. Therefore, this Review intends to give readers an overview on PEC water splitting, with an emphasis on oxide material-based devices, which hold the potential to support global-scale production in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfeng Pan
- Laboratory of Photomolecular Science, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nick Vlachopoulos
- Laboratory of Photomolecular Science, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anders Hagfeldt
- Laboratory of Photomolecular Science, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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36
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Band gap determination in multi-band-gap CuFeO2 delafossite epitaxial thin film by photoconductivity. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-019-1387-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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37
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Kageshima Y, Fujita T, Takagi F, Minegishi T, Teshima K, Domen K, Amao Y, Nishikiori H. Electrochemical Evaluation for Multiple Functions of Pt‐loaded TiO
2
Nanoparticles Deposited on a Photocathode. ChemElectroChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Kageshima
- Department of Materials ChemistryShinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials (RISM)Shinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
| | - Takumi Fujita
- Department of Materials ChemistryShinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
| | - Fumiaki Takagi
- Department of Materials ChemistryShinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
| | - Tsutomu Minegishi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and TechnologyThe University of Tokyo 4-6-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku Tokyo 153-8904 Japan
| | - Katsuya Teshima
- Department of Materials ChemistryShinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials (RISM)Shinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
| | - Kazunari Domen
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials (RISM)Shinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
| | - Yutaka Amao
- Research Centre of Artificial Photosynthesis (ReCAP)Osaka City University 3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku Osaka 558-8585 Japan
| | - Hiromasa Nishikiori
- Department of Materials ChemistryShinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials (RISM)Shinshu University 4-17-1 Wakasato Nagano 380-8553 Japan
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38
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Garcia‐Torregrosa I, Geertzema YG, Ismail ASM, Lee T, Groot FMF, Weckhuysen BM. Facile Two‐Step Synthesis of Delafossite CuFeO
2
Photocathodes by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Hybrid Microwave Annealing. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.201900136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Garcia‐Torregrosa
- Utrecht UniversityInorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CA Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Yannick G. Geertzema
- Utrecht UniversityInorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CA Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Ahmed S. M. Ismail
- Utrecht UniversityInorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CA Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Tien‐Lin Lee
- Diamond Light Source Ltd.Diamond Light Source Didcot, Oxfordshire United Kingdom
| | - Frank M. F. Groot
- Utrecht UniversityInorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CA Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Bert M. Weckhuysen
- Utrecht UniversityInorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CA Utrecht The Netherlands
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39
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Yang W, Moon J. Recent Advances in Earth-Abundant Photocathodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. CHEMSUSCHEM 2019; 12:1889-1899. [PMID: 30102017 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201801554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The conversion of solar energy into hydrogen through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is an attractive way to store renewable energy. Despite the intriguing concept of solar hydrogen production, efficient PEC devices based on earth-abundant semiconductors should be realized to compete economically with conventional steam reforming processes. Herein, recent milestones in photocathode development for PEC water splitting, particularly in earth-abundant semiconductors, in terms of new techniques for enhancing performance, as well as theoretical aspects, are highlighted. In addition, recent research into newly emerging low-cost p-type semiconductors in the PEC field, such as Cu2 BaSn(S,Se)4 and Sb2 Se3 , are scrutinized and the advantages and disadvantages of each material assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooseok Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Moon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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40
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Jang YJ, Lee JS. Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with p-Type Metal Oxide Semiconductor Photocathodes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2019; 12:1835-1845. [PMID: 30614648 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201802596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising way to produce clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel. Solar hydrogen production by using p-type metal oxide semiconductor photocathodes has not been studied as extensively as that with n-type metal oxide semiconductor photoanodes and p-type photovoltaic-grade non-oxide semiconductor photocathodes. Copper-based oxide photocathodes show relatively good conductivity, but suffer from instability in aqueous solution under illumination, whereas iron-based metal oxide photocathodes demonstrate more stable PEC performance but have problems in charge separation and transport. Herein, an overview of recent progress in p-type metal oxide-based photocathodes for PEC water reduction is provided. Although these materials have not been fully developed to reach their potential performance, the challenges involved have been identified and strategies to overcome these limitations have been proposed. Future research in this field should address these issues and challenges in addition to the discovery of new materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn Jeong Jang
- Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy & Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, South Korea
| | - Jae Sung Lee
- Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy & Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, South Korea
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41
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Schorne-Pinto J, Cassayre L, Presmanes L, Barnabé A. Insights on the Stability and Cationic Nonstoichiometry of CuFeO 2 Delafossite. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:6431-6444. [PMID: 31009207 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CuFeO2, the structure prototype of the delafossite family, has received renewed interest in recent years. Thermodynamic modeling and several experimental Cu-Fe-O system investigations did not focus specifically on the possible nonstoichiometry of this compound, which is, nevertheless, a very important optimization factor for its physicochemical properties. In this work, through a complete set of analytical and thermostructural techniques from 50 to 1100 °C, a fine reinvestigation of some specific regions of the Cu-Fe-O phase diagram under air was carried out to clarify discrepancies concerning the delafossite CuFeO2 stability region as well as the eutectic composition and temperature for the reaction L = CuFeO2 + Cu2O. Differential thermal analysis and Tammann's triangle method were used to measure the liquidus temperature at 1050 ± 2 °C with a eutectic composition at Fe/(Cu + Fe) = 0.105 mol %. The quantification of all of the present phases during heating and cooling using Rietveld refinement of the high-temperature X-ray diffraction patterns coupled with thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses revealed the mechanism of formation of delafossite CuFeO2 from stable CuO and spinel phases at 1022 ± 2 °C and its incongruent decomposition into liquid and spinel phases at 1070 ± 2 °C. For the first time, a cationic off-stoichiometry of cuprous ferrite CuFe1- yO2-δ was unambiguous, as evidenced by two independent sets of experiments: (1) Electron probe microanalysis evidenced homogeneous micronic CuFe1- yO2-δ areas with a maximum y value of 0.12 [i.e., Fe/(Cu + Fe) = 0.47] on Cu/Fe gradient generated by diffusion from a perfect spark plasma sintering pristine interface. Micro-Raman provided structural proof of the existence of the delafossite structure in these areas. (2) Standard Cu additions from the stoichiometric compound CuFeO2 coupled with high-temperature X-ray diffraction corroborated the possibility of obtaining a pure Cu-excess delafossite phase with y = 0.12. No evidence of an Fe-rich delafossite was found, and complementary analysis under a neutral atmosphere shows narrow lattice parameter variation with an increase of Cu in the delafossite structure. The consistent new data set is summarized in an updated experimental Cu-Fe-O phase diagram. These results provide an improved understanding of the stability region and possible nonstoichiometry value of the CuFe1- yO2-δ delafossite in the Cu-Fe-O phase diagram, enabling its optimization for specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Schorne-Pinto
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique , Université de Toulouse, CNRS , Toulouse , France.,CIRIMAT , Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier , 118 Route de Narbonne , 31062 Toulouse, Cedex 9 , France
| | - Laurent Cassayre
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique , Université de Toulouse, CNRS , Toulouse , France
| | - Lionel Presmanes
- CIRIMAT , Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier , 118 Route de Narbonne , 31062 Toulouse, Cedex 9 , France
| | - Antoine Barnabé
- CIRIMAT , Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier , 118 Route de Narbonne , 31062 Toulouse, Cedex 9 , France
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Kim JH, Lee JS. Elaborately Modified BiVO 4 Photoanodes for Solar Water Splitting. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1806938. [PMID: 30793384 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells for solar-energy conversion have received immense interest as a promising technology for renewable hydrogen production. Their similarity to natural photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight and water, has provoked intense research for over half a century. Among many potential photocatalysts, BiVO4 , with a bandgap of 2.4-2.5 eV, has emerged as a highly promising photoanode material with a good chemical stability, environmental inertness, and low cost. Unfortunately, its charge transport properties are modest, at most a hole diffusion length (Lp ) of ≈70 nm. However, recent rapid developments in multiple modification strategies have elevated it to a position as the most promising metal oxide photoanode material. This review summarizes developments in BiVO4 photoanodes in the past 10 years, in which time it has continuously broken its own performance records for PEC water oxidation. Effective modification techniques are discussed, including synthesis of nanostructures/nanopores, external/internal doping, heterojunction fabrication, surface passivation, and cocatalysts. Tandem systems for unassisted solar water splitting and PEC production of value-added chemicals are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hyun Kim
- Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Sung Lee
- Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
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43
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Kim JH, Hansora D, Sharma P, Jang JW, Lee JS. Toward practical solar hydrogen production - an artificial photosynthetic leaf-to-farm challenge. Chem Soc Rev 2019; 48:1908-1971. [PMID: 30855624 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00699g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Solar water splitting is a promising approach to transform sunlight into renewable, sustainable and green hydrogen energy. There are three representative ways of transforming solar radiation into molecular hydrogen, which are the photocatalytic (PC), photoelectrochemical (PEC), and photovoltaic-electrolysis (PV-EC) routes. Having the future perspective of green hydrogen economy in mind, this review article discusses devices and systems for solar-to-hydrogen production including comparison of the above solar water splitting systems. The focus is placed on a critical assessment of the key components needed to scale up PEC water splitting systems such as materials efficiency, cost, elemental abundancy, stability, fuel separation, device operability, cell architecture, and techno-economic aspects of the systems. The review follows a stepwise approach and provides (i) a summary of the basic principles and photocatalytic materials employed for PEC water splitting, (ii) an extensive discussion of technologies, procedures, and system designs, and (iii) an introduction to international demonstration projects, and the development of benchmarked devices and large-scale prototype systems. The task of scaling up of laboratory overall water splitting devices to practical systems may be called "an artificial photosynthetic leaf-to-farm challenge".
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hyun Kim
- Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.
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Carbon paste electrode modified with AgFeO2 as an electrocatalyst with excellent activity for water reduction and oxidation. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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45
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Roble M, Rojas S, Wheatley R, Wallentowitz S, Cabrera A, Diaz-Droguett D. Hydrothermal improvement for 3R-CuFeO2 delafossite growth by control of mineralizer and reaction atmosphere. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Dalle K, Warnan J, Leung JJ, Reuillard B, Karmel IS, Reisner E. Electro- and Solar-Driven Fuel Synthesis with First Row Transition Metal Complexes. Chem Rev 2019; 119:2752-2875. [PMID: 30767519 PMCID: PMC6396143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 417] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of renewable fuels from abundant water or the greenhouse gas CO2 is a major step toward creating sustainable and scalable energy storage technologies. In the last few decades, much attention has focused on the development of nonprecious metal-based catalysts and, in more recent years, their integration in solid-state support materials and devices that operate in water. This review surveys the literature on 3d metal-based molecular catalysts and focuses on their immobilization on heterogeneous solid-state supports for electro-, photo-, and photoelectrocatalytic synthesis of fuels in aqueous media. The first sections highlight benchmark homogeneous systems using proton and CO2 reducing 3d transition metal catalysts as well as commonly employed methods for catalyst immobilization, including a discussion of supporting materials and anchoring groups. The subsequent sections elaborate on productive associations between molecular catalysts and a wide range of substrates based on carbon, quantum dots, metal oxide surfaces, and semiconductors. The molecule-material hybrid systems are organized as "dark" cathodes, colloidal photocatalysts, and photocathodes, and their figures of merit are discussed alongside system stability and catalyst integrity. The final section extends the scope of this review to prospects and challenges in targeting catalysis beyond "classical" H2 evolution and CO2 reduction to C1 products, by summarizing cases for higher-value products from N2 reduction, C x>1 products from CO2 utilization, and other reductive organic transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jane J. Leung
- Christian Doppler Laboratory
for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Bertrand Reuillard
- Christian Doppler Laboratory
for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Isabell S. Karmel
- Christian Doppler Laboratory
for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Christian Doppler Laboratory
for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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Yang W, Prabhakar RR, Tan J, Tilley SD, Moon J. Strategies for enhancing the photocurrent, photovoltage, and stability of photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Chem Soc Rev 2019; 48:4979-5015. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00997j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we survey recent strategies for photoelectrode optimization and advanced characterization methods towards efficient water splitting cells via feedback from these characterization methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooseok Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Yonsei University
- 03722 Seoul
- Republic of Korea
| | | | - Jeiwan Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Yonsei University
- 03722 Seoul
- Republic of Korea
| | - S. David Tilley
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Zurich
- 8057 Zurich
- Switzerland
| | - Jooho Moon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Yonsei University
- 03722 Seoul
- Republic of Korea
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48
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49
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Cots A, Bonete P, Gómez R. Improving the Stability and Efficiency of CuO Photocathodes for Solar Hydrogen Production through Modification with Iron. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:26348-26356. [PMID: 30016591 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cupric oxide (CuO) is considered as a promising photocathode material for photo(electro)chemical water splitting because of its suitable band gap, low cost related to copper earth abundancy, and straightforward fabrication. The main challenge for the development of practical CuO-based photocathodes for solar hydrogen evolution is to enhance its stability against photocorrosion. In this work, stable and efficient CuO photocathodes have been developed by using a simple and cost-effective methodology. CuO films, composed of nanowires and prepared by chemical oxidation of electrodeposited Cu, develop relatively high photocurrents in 1 M NaOH. However, this photocurrent appears to be partly associated with photocorrosion of CuO. It is significant though that, even unprotected, a faradaic efficiency for hydrogen evolution of ∼45% is attained. The incorporation of iron through an impregnation method, followed by a high-temperature thermal treatment for promoting the external phase transition of the nanowires from CuO to ternary copper iron oxide, was found to provide an improved stability at the expense of photocurrent, which decreases to about one-third of its initial value. In contrast, a faradaic efficiency for hydrogen evolution of ∼100% is achieved even in the absence of co-catalysts, which is ascribable to the favorable band positions of CuO and the iron copper ternary oxide in the core-shell structure of the nanowires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Cots
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica , Universitat d'Alacant , Apartat 99 , E-03080 Alacant , Spain
| | - Pedro Bonete
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica , Universitat d'Alacant , Apartat 99 , E-03080 Alacant , Spain
| | - Roberto Gómez
- Departament de Química Física i Institut Universitari d'Electroquímica , Universitat d'Alacant , Apartat 99 , E-03080 Alacant , Spain
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Wakerley DW, Ly KH, Kornienko N, Orchard KL, Kuehnel MF, Reisner E. Aerobic Conditions Enhance the Photocatalytic Stability of CdS/CdO x Quantum Dots. Chemistry 2018; 24:18385-18388. [PMID: 29750379 PMCID: PMC6348374 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic H2 production through water splitting represents an attractive route to generate a renewable fuel. These systems are typically limited to anaerobic conditions due to the inhibiting effects of O2 . Here, we report that sacrificial H2 evolution with CdS quantum dots does not necessarily suffer from O2 inhibition and can even be stabilised under aerobic conditions. The introduction of O2 prevents a key inactivation pathway of CdS (over-accumulation of metallic Cd and particle agglomeration) and thereby affords particles with higher stability. These findings represent a possibility to exploit the O2 reduction reaction to inhibit deactivation, rather than catalysis, offering a strategy to stabilise photocatalysts that suffer from similar degradation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Wakerley
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Khoa H Ly
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Nikolay Kornienko
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Katherine L Orchard
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Moritz F Kuehnel
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
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