Cost‐Efficient Photovoltaic‐Water Electrolysis over Ultrathin Nanosheets of Cobalt/Iron–Molybdenum Oxides for Potential Large‐Scale Hydrogen Production. Issue 39 (19th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yi, Xinli; Song, Lizhu; Ouyang, Shuxin; Wang, Ning; Chen, Huayu; Wang, Jianbo; Lv, Jun; Ye, Jinhua
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 17:Issue 39(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-08-19
• Subjects: electrocatalysis -- overall water splitting -- photovoltaic‐water splitting -- solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion -- stability; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202102222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Unassisted photovoltaic (PV) water splitting to hydrogen system is of great potential for future environmental‐friendly fuel production from renewable solar energy. However, industrialization simultaneously requires higher efficiency, sustained stability and a lower cost for the system. In this work, the ultrathin cobalt/iron–molybdenum oxides nanosheet on nickel foam (NF) is prepared for efficient HER and OER, respectively, delivering a relatively low voltage of 1.45 V at 10 mA cm −2 in two‐electrodes configuration. Water electrolysis at low voltage driven by electrocatalysts is critical for realizing energy conversion. Integrated with a commercial monocrystalline silicon cell, the H2 area specific activity of 0.47 L m −2 h −1 is achieved with a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 15.1% under solar simulator illumination (100 mW cm −2 ) and no performance degradation appeares over 160 h. Such a solar conversion technology demonstrates the potential for long‐term and cost‐efficient H2 production in large‐scale industrialization and provides an exploration for new‐type of energy‐conversion system. Abstract : Ni foam‐supported ultrathin cobalt/iron–molybdenum oxides nanosheet with two‐way design delivers efficient water electrolysis. The integrated photovoltaic‐water splitting system achieves sustained and steady H2 production with solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 15.1% over 160 h and H2 area specific activity of 0.47 L m −2 h −1 under solar simulator irradiation (100 mW cm −2 ).