Svetlana Polivtseva1, Joseph Olanrewaju Adegite2, Julia Kois3, Damir Mamedov4,5, Smagul Zh Karazhanov4,5, Jelena Maricheva1, Olga Volobujeva1. 1. Department of Materials and Environmental Technology, TalTech, School of Engineering, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia. 2. Mechanical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, USA. 3. LLC Auramet, Kalliomäentie 1B, 02920 Espoo, Finland. 4. Department of Materials Science, National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI), 115409 Moscow, Russia. 5. Department for Solar Energy, Institute for Energy Technology, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway.
Abstract
The fabrication of cost-effective photostable materials with optoelectronic properties suitable for commercial photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting represents a complex task. Herein, we present a simple route to produce Sb2Se3 that meets most of the requirements for high-performance photocathodes. Annealing of Sb2Se3 layers in a selenium-containing atmosphere persists as a necessary step for improving device parameters; however, it could complicate industrial processability. To develop a safe and scalable alternative to the selenium physical post-processing, we propose a novel SbCl3/glycerol-based thermochemical treatment for controlling anisotropy, a severe problem for Sb2Se3. Our procedure makes it possible to selectively etch antimony-rich oxyselenide presented in Sb2Se3, to obtain high-quality compact thin films with a favorable morphology, stoichiometric composition, and crystallographic orientation. The treated Sb2Se3 photoelectrode demonstrates a record photocurrent density of about 31 mA cm-2 at -248 mV against the calomel electrode and can thus offer a breakthrough option for industrial solar fuel fabrication.
The fabrication of cost-effective photostable materials with optoelectronic properties suitable for commercial photoelectrochemical (PEC) water spn>litting repn>ren>an class="Chemical">sents a complex task. Herein, we present a simple route to produce Sb2Se3 that meets most of the requirements for high-performance photocathodes. Annealing of Sb2Se3 layers in a selenium-containing atmosphere persists as a necessary step for improving device parameters; however, it could complicate industrial processability. To develop a safe and scalable alternative to the selenium physical post-processing, we propose a novel SbCl3/glycerol-based thermochemical treatment for controlling anisotropy, a severe problem for Sb2Se3. Our procedure makes it possible to selectively etch antimony-rich oxyselenide presented in Sb2Se3, to obtain high-quality compact thin films with a favorable morphology, stoichiometric composition, and crystallographic orientation. The treated Sb2Se3 photoelectrode demonstrates a record photocurrent density of about 31 mA cm-2 at -248 mV against the calomel electrode and can thus offer a breakthrough option for industrial solar fuel fabrication.
Entities:
Keywords:
Sb2Se3; annealing; chemical activation; chemical post-deposition treatment; high-performance photocathode
Authors: Svetlana Polivtseva; Julia Kois; Tatiana Kruzhilina; Reelika Kaupmees; Mihhail Klopov; Palanivel Molaiyan; Heleen van Gog; Marijn A van Huis; Olga Volobujeva Journal: Nanomaterials (Basel) Date: 2022-08-23 Impact factor: 5.719