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A Hybrid Artificial Photocatalysis System Splits Atmospheric Water for Simultaneous Dehumidification and Power Generation
Author(s) -
Yang Lin,
Ravi Sai Kishore,
Nandakumar Dilip Krishna,
Alzakia Fuad Indra,
Lu Wanheng,
Zhang Yaoxin,
Yang Jiachen,
Zhang Qian,
Zhang Xueping,
Tan Swee Ching
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201902963
Subject(s) - materials science , photocatalysis , photocurrent , electric field , dipole , polarization (electrochemistry) , nanoparticle , humidity , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , catalysis , meteorology , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , engineering
A new approach for artificial photocatalysis of electrical generation directly from atmospheric water is reported. A hybrid system comprising a hydrogel incorporated with Cu 2 O and BaTiO 3 nanoparticles is developed, wherein the Cu 2 O is designed to expose two different crystal planes, namely (100) and (111). These planes exhibit different surface potentials and form a polarization electric field of 2.3 kV cm −1 that acts on a ferroelectric dipole. With the help of this electric field, the dipole is redirected for aiding in positive and negative polarizations with (100) and (111) planes, then boosting water reduction and oxidation kinetics separately at (100) and (111) planes. Additonally, zinc‐/cobalt‐based superhygroscopic hydrogels serve as a water‐capturing “hand” to harness humidity from the ambient environment. The integrated hydrogel–Cu 2 O@BaTiO 3 hybrid is used to dehumidify air, which can split 36.5 mg of water by employing only 150 mg hydrogel and simultaneously generate a photocurrent of 224.3 µA cm −2 under 10 mW cm −2 illumination.