Dingwang Huang1, Lintao Li1, Kang Wang1, Yan Li1, Kuang Feng1, Feng Jiang2,3,4. 1. Institute of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, P. R. China. 2. Institute of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, P. R. China. fengjiangsolar@126.com. 3. SCNU Qingyuan Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Co., Ltd., Qingyuan, China. fengjiangsolar@126.com. 4. Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Low Carbon and Advanced Energy Materials, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. fengjiangsolar@126.com.
Abstract
A highly efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly photocathode with long-term stability is the goal of practical solar hydrogen evolution applications. Here, we found that the Cu3BiS3 film-based photocathode meets the abovementioned requirements. The Cu3BiS3-based photocathode presents a remarkable onset potential over 0.9 VRHE with excellent photoelectrochemical current densities (~7 mA/cm2 under 0 VRHE) and appreciable 10-hour long-term stability in neutral water solutions. This high onset potential of the Cu3BiS3-based photocathode directly results in a good unbiased operating photocurrent of ~1.6 mA/cm2 assisted by the BiVO4 photoanode. A tandem device of Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 with an unbiased solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 2.04% is presented. This tandem device also presents high stability over 20 hours. Ultimately, a 5 × 5 cm2 large Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 tandem device module is fabricated for standalone overall solar water splitting with a long-term stability of 60 hours.
A highly efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly photocathode with long-term stability is the goal of practical solar n>an class="Chemical">hydrogen evolution applications. Here, we found that the Cu3BiS3 film-based photocathode meets the abovementioned requirements. The Cu3BiS3-based photocathode presents a remarkable onset potential over 0.9 VRHE with excellent photoelectrochemical current densities (~7 mA/cm2 under 0 VRHE) and appreciable 10-hour long-term stability in neutral water solutions. This high onset potential of the Cu3BiS3-based photocathode directly results in a good unbiased operating photocurrent of ~1.6 mA/cm2 assisted by the BiVO4 photoanode. A tandem device of Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 with an unbiased solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 2.04% is presented. This tandem device also presents high stability over 20 hours. Ultimately, a 5 × 5 cm2 large Cu3BiS3-BiVO4 tandem device module is fabricated for standalone overall solar water splitting with a long-term stability of 60 hours.
Authors: Nikolay Kornienko; Natalie A Gibson; Hao Zhang; Samuel W Eaton; Yi Yu; Shaul Aloni; Stephen R Leone; Peidong Yang Journal: ACS Nano Date: 2016-05-05 Impact factor: 15.881