Photocorrosion-resistant Sb2Se3 photocathodes with earth abundant MoSx hydrogen evolution catalyst. Issue 44 (1st November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prabhakar, Rajiv Ramanujam; Septina, Wilman; Siol, Sebastian; Moehl, Thomas; Wick-Joliat, René; Tilley, S. David
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 5:Issue 44(2017)
• Page Start: 23139
• Page End: 23145
• Publication Date: 2017-11-01
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ta08993g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A highly efficient Sb2 Se3 photocathode is resistant to photocorrosion in strongly acidic media without protective overlayers. Abstract : The poor stability of high efficiency photoabsorber materials in aqueous media is one factor holding back the realization of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for large scale, practical solar fuels generation. Here, we demonstrate that highly efficient thin film Sb2 Se3 – fabricated by a simple, low temperature selenization of electrodeposited Sb – is intrinsically stable towards photocorrosion in strongly acidic media (1 M H2 SO4 ). Coupling with a photoelectrodeposited MoS x hydrogen evolution catalyst gives high photocurrents (5 mA cm −2 at 0 V vs. RHE) and high stability without protective layers. A low temperature sulfurization of the Sb2 Se3 –MoS x stack dramatically improved the onset potential, resulting in high photocurrent densities up to ∼16 mA cm −2 at 0 V vs. RHE. The simplicity with which these photocathodes are fabricated, combined with the high photocurrents and stability, make Sb2 Se3 a strong candidate for scalable PEC cells.