Fabrication of nano-CdSe thin films from gas/liquid interface reactions and self-assembly for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. (30th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Manman; Wang, Liyan; Xia, Yue; Huang, Wei; Li, Zelin
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 2278
• Page End: 2284
• Publication Date: 2016-01-30
• Subjects: Photoelectrochemical cell -- Hydrogen production -- Thin film -- Cadmium selenide -- Gas/liquid interface; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.12.080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Thin films of CdSe nanoparticles (NPs) with good photoelectrochemical performances were rapidly fabricated by gas/liquid interface reactions and self-assembly. While dropping NaHSe ethanol solution onto the surface of CdCl2 solution, CdSe NPs formed rapidly, spread over the solution's surface, and assembled into a dense thin film with the help of a surfactant (dodecyl sulfate). After annealing, the film loaded on conducting glass of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) became flat, uniform and compact. Annealing also resulted in crystalline phase transformation, improved light absorption, and reduced charge transport resistance. Photoelectrochemical tests show that the prepared thin film of CdSe NPs (as photoanode) could generate a saturated photocurrent density as high as 4.4 mA cm −2 at 0.69 V (versus RHE) and a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency up to 4.31% under visible light illumination of 100 mW cm −2 in a Na2 SO3 solution for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. Graphical abstract: Highlights: CdSe thin films were obtained from gas/liquid interface reactions and self-assembly. Annealing the film improved its light adsorption and charge transportation. The uniform and compact film was composed of aggregated CdSe nanoparticles (5–7 nm). This assembly method is facile, mild and easy to control. The CdSe thin film exhibited good PEC performance under visible light irradiation.