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Zabara MA, Ölmez B, Buldu‐Akturk M, Yarar Kaplan B, Kırlıoğlu AC, Alkan Gürsel S, Ozkan M, Ozkan CS, Yürüm A. Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation: Current Advances in Materials and Operando Characterization. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2024; 8:2400011. [PMID: 39130676 PMCID: PMC11316250 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation is a promising technology for green hydrogen production yet faces difficulties in achieving stability and efficiency. The scientific community is pushing toward the development of new electrode materials and a better understanding of the underlying reactions and degradation mechanisms. Advances in photocatalytic materials are being pursued through the development of heterojunctions, tailored crystal nanostructures, doping, and modification of solid-solid and solid-electrolyte interfaces. Operando and in situ techniques are utilized to deconvolute the charge transfer mechanisms and degradation pathways. In this review, both materials development and Operando characterization are covered for advancing PEC technologies. The recent advances made in the PEC materials are first reviewed including the applied improvement strategies for transition metal oxides, nitrites, chalcogenides, Si, and group III-V semiconductor materials. The efficiency, stability, scalability, and electrical conductivity of the aforementioned materials along with the improvement strategies are compared. Next, the Operando characterization methods and cite selected studies applied for PEC electrodes are described. Operando studies are very successful in elucidating the reaction mechanisms, degradation pathways, and charge transfer phenomena in PEC electrodes. Finally, the standing challenges and the potential opportunities are discussed by providing recommendations for designing more efficient and electrochemically stable PEC electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Burak Ölmez
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesSabanci UniversityIstanbul34956Türkiye
| | - Merve Buldu‐Akturk
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesSabanci UniversityIstanbul34956Türkiye
| | - Begüm Yarar Kaplan
- Sabanci University SUNUM Nanotechnology Research CenterIstanbul34956Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Can Kırlıoğlu
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesSabanci UniversityIstanbul34956Türkiye
| | - Selmiye Alkan Gürsel
- Sabanci University SUNUM Nanotechnology Research CenterIstanbul34956Türkiye
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesSabanci UniversityIstanbul34956Türkiye
| | - Mihrimah Ozkan
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCA02521USA
| | - Cengiz Sinan Ozkan
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaRiversideCA02521USA
| | - Alp Yürüm
- Sabanci University SUNUM Nanotechnology Research CenterIstanbul34956Türkiye
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural SciencesSabanci UniversityIstanbul34956Türkiye
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Liu D, Kuang Y. Particle-Based Photoelectrodes for PEC Water Splitting: Concepts and Perspectives. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2311692. [PMID: 38619834 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the intricacies of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting process, specifically focusing on the design, fabrication, and optimization of particle-based photoelectrodes for efficient green hydrogen production. These photoelectrodes, composed of semiconductor materials, potentially harness light energy and generate charge carriers, driving water oxidation and reduction reactions. The versatility of particle-based photoelectrodes as a platform for investigating and enhancing various semiconductor candidates is explored, particularly the emerging complex oxides with compelling charge transfer properties. However, the challenges presented by many factors influencing the performance and stability of these photoelectrodes, including particle size, shape, composition, morphology, surface modification, and electrode configuration, are highlighted. The review introduces the fundamental principles of semiconductor photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting, presents an exhaustive overview of different synthesis methods for semiconductor powders and their assembly into photoelectrodes, and discusses recent advances and challenges in photoelectrode material development. It concludes by offering promising strategies for improving photoelectrode performance and stability, such as the adoption of novel architectures and heterojunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo, 315201, China
| | - Yongbo Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19(A)Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
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Zhang R, Ning X, Wang Z, Zhao H, He Y, Han Z, Du P, Lu X. Significantly Promoting the Photogenerated Charge Separation by Introducing an Oxygen Vacancy Regulation Strategy on the FeNiOOH Co-Catalyst. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2107938. [PMID: 35434918 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202107938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor/co-catalyst coupling is considered as a promising strategy to enhance the photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion efficiency. Unfortunately, this model system is faced with a serious interface recombination problem, which limits the further improvement of PEC performances. Here, a FeNiOOH co-catalyst with abundant oxygen vacancies on BiVO4 is fabricated through simple and economical NaBH4 reduction to accelerate hole transfer and achieve efficient electron-hole pair separation. The photocurrent of the BV (BiVO4 )/Vo-FeNiOOH system is more than four times that of pure BV. Importantly, the charge transfer kinetics and charge carrier recombination process are studied by scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy and intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy in detail. In addition, the oxygen vacancy regulation proposed is also applied successfully to other semiconductors (Fe2 O3 ), demonstrating the applicability of this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongfang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Xingming Ning
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Ze Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Huihuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Yaorong He
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Zhengang Han
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Peiyao Du
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoquan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Environmental Analysis of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, P. R. China
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Liu C, Zhang C, Yin G, Zhang T, Wang W, Ou G, Jin H, Chen Z. A Three-Dimensional Branched TiO 2 Photoanode with an Ultrathin Al 2O 3 Passivation Layer and a NiOOH Cocatalyst toward Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:13301-13310. [PMID: 33723983 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c00948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting provides an alternative strategy for clean and renewable hydrogen production; however, the practical application is severely limited by the low solar conversion. Herein, a novel and simple strategy has been developed to construct a 3D branched TiO2 photoanode with an ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layer and NiOOH cocatalyst. The structure and properties of the as-obtained photoanodes are explored by X-ray diffraction, Mott-Schottky, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and open circuit voltage measurements. The as-obtained B-TiO2/Al2O3/NiOOH ternary heterojunction with a high-quality contact interface exhibits improved light absorption ability, an enhanced photocurrent density of 1.42 mA/cm2 at 1.23 VRHE, high conversion efficiency (0.44% at 0.80 VRHE), and excellent stability compared to pristine TiO2 and alone-Al2O3 or NiOOH decorated TiO2 photoanodes. Therefore, this work could offer a new approach to designing and fabricating high-quality contact interfaces between photoelectrodes and various cocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhai Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Ge Yin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Wenchang Wang
- School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Guofu Ou
- Institute of Flow-Induced Corrosion and Intelligent Prevention, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Haozhe Jin
- The Flow Induced Corrosion Institution, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zhidong Chen
- School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
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