Open AccessRecent Developments in Visible‐Light‐Absorbing Semitransparent Photoanodes for Tandem Cells Driving Solar Water Splitting
Author(s) -
Kawase Yudai,
Higashi Tomohiro,
Domen Kazunari,
Takanabe Kazuhiro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced energy and sustainability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2699-9412
DOI - 10.1002/aesr.202100023
Subject(s) - tandem , water splitting , renewable energy , materials science , photovoltaic system , solar energy , nanotechnology , energy conversion efficiency , energy transformation , solar cell , photoelectrochemical cell , optoelectronics , photocatalysis , chemistry , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , electrode , catalysis , biochemistry , composite material , thermodynamics , electrolyte
The development of an efficient conversion system to transform solar energy into chemical energy, such as renewable hydrogen, is a promising way to overcome energy problems. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising means of obtaining renewable hydrogen directly from water utilizing sunlight. Recent reports have demonstrated that a PEC cell with a tandem configuration (tandem cell) has the potential to realize a high solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) energy conversion efficiency by solar water splitting. However, there are still many obstacles to the development of practical and cost‐effective tandem cells. In particular, development of efficient photoanodes for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a prerequisite for improving the STH efficiency. Herein, recent progress in developing (semi)transparent photoanodes for the OER, such as Fe 2 O 3 , BiVO 4 , and Ta 3 N 5 , is described based on the topics of preparation methods, semiconductor properties, and PEC performance. In addition, the strategies for enhancing the STH efficiency of tandem cells consisting of (semi)transparent photoanodes conjugated with photovoltaic (PV)‐based cathodes are summarized. This Review is expected to provide guidelines for the future development of tandem cells capable of highly efficient and stable water splitting.