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Metal‐Free Artificial Photosynthesis of Carbon Monoxide Using N‐Doped ZnTe Nanorod Photocathode Decorated with N‐Doped Carbon Electrocatalyst Layer
Author(s) -
Jang Youn Jeong,
Bhatt Mahesh Datt,
Lee Jaehyuk,
Choi Sun Hee,
Lee Byeong Jun,
Lee Jae Sung
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201702636
Subject(s) - materials science , electrocatalyst , photocurrent , nanorod , photocathode , artificial photosynthesis , doping , chemical engineering , photocatalysis , reversible hydrogen electrode , carbon fibers , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , photochemistry , nanotechnology , electrode , catalysis , optoelectronics , working electrode , chemistry , composite number , composite material , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , electron
An artificial photosynthesis system based on N‐doped ZnTe nanorods decorated with an N‐doped carbon electrocatalyst layer is fabricated via an all‐solution process for the selective conversion of CO 2 to CO. Substitutional N‐doping into the ZnTe lattice decreases the bandgap slightly and improves the charge transfer characteristics, leading to enhanced photoelectrochemical activity. Remarkable N‐doping effects are also demonstrated by the N‐doped carbon layer that promotes selective CO 2 ‐to‐CO conversion instead of undesired water‐to‐H 2 reduction by providing active sites for CO 2 adsorption and activation, even in the absence of metallic redox centers. The photocathode shows promising performance in photocurrent generation (−1.21 mA cm −2 at −0.11 V RHE ), CO selectivity (dominant CO production of ≈72%), minor H 2 reduction (≈20%), and stability (corrosion suppression). The metal‐free electrocatalyst/photocatalyst combination prepared via a cost‐effective solution process exhibits high performance due to synergistic effects between them, and thus may find application in practical solar fuel production.