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Nano‐Au and Ferroelectric Polarization Mediated Si/ITO/BiFeO 3 Tandem Photocathode for Efficient H 2 Production
Author(s) -
Cheng Xiaorong,
Shen Huanyu,
Dong Wen,
Zheng Fengang,
Fang Liang,
Su Xiaodong,
Shen Mingrong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201600485
Subject(s) - photocathode , materials science , photocurrent , tandem , semiconductor , optoelectronics , polarization (electrochemistry) , band gap , water splitting , electrode , reversible hydrogen electrode , energy conversion efficiency , nanotechnology , electron , electrochemistry , photocatalysis , catalysis , working electrode , chemistry , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , composite material
For efficient utilization of solar light during photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, tandem photoelectrodes comprising a wider bandgap top semiconductor stacked above a smaller bandgap one have been proposed in the previous studies. However, the photocurrent is usually limited due to the blocked transfer of photogenerated carriers on the interface between the semiconductors. Here, this study constructs an Si‐pnn + /ITO/Au/BiFeO 3 (BFO) hybrid photocathode catalyzed by MoS 2 /Pt with an intension to fulfill the efficient transfer of photogenerated electrons from Si to electrode surface. This study reveals how the local surface plasmonic resonance effect of Au nanoparticles and the depolarization electric field of BFO enhance the PEC reactivity of the photocathode, and also the catalytic effect of the combined MoS 2 /Pt catalyst. Remarkably, the photocathode exhibits an onset potential of 1.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and the photocurrent at 0 V versus RHE can be up to –9.1 mA cm −2 under 100 mW cm −2 Xe‐lamp illuminations. Such a unique design represents a general strategy to enhance the PEC performance of a tandem photoelectrode where the energy bands are not so matched on the interfaces, and therefore extends the scope of the tandem architectures.