A self-adaptive semiconductor–liquid junction for highly active and stable solar water splitting. Issue 38 (31st August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Huanhuan; Hua, Wei; Liang, Shiyu; Li, Yueying; Wang, Jian-Gan
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 38(2022)
• Page Start: 20414
• Page End: 20423
• Publication Date: 2022-08-31
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ta04914g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A self-adaptive semiconductor–liquid junction with reduced interface recombination and fast water oxidation kinetics is constructed via a novel and efficient reconstruction strategy for highly active and stable solar water splitting. Abstract : Constructing a semiconductor–liquid junction (SCLJ) with efficient charge transfer and excellent anti-photocorrosion is crucial yet challenging for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. Herein, we propose an effective surface reconstruction strategy to create a self-adaptive SCLJ for significantly enhancing the PEC activity and stability of BiVO4 photoanodes. It is revealed that a low-valence metal oxide ( e.g., NiFeO x ) serrated cocatalyst could be in situ transformed into a uniform and seamless oxygen-vacancy-rich metal (oxy)hydroxide nanolayer during the initial PEC test cycles. Such an intriguing reconstruction creates a self-adaptive SCLJ to promote hole trapping/migration at the semiconductor/cocatalyst junction and improve the water oxidation kinetics as well as photocorrosion resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Remarkably, the self-adaptive SCLJ enables BiVO4 to show an impressive photocurrent density of 5.1 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE and superior working durability over 30 h. This study provides a fundamental insight on designing a self-adaptive SCLJ for highly efficient PEC water electrolysis.