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An Integrated Photoelectrochemical–Chemical Loop for Solar‐Driven Overall Splitting of Hydrogen Sulfide
Author(s) -
Zong Xu,
Han Jingfeng,
Seger Brian,
Chen Hongjun,
Lu Gaoqing Max,
Li Can,
Wang Lianzhou
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201400571
Subject(s) - sulfur , hydrogen sulfide , redox , chemistry , sulfide , chemical stability , hydrogen , photochemistry , selectivity , solar cell , solar energy , absorption (acoustics) , hydrogen production , chemical reaction , inorganic chemistry , materials science , catalysis , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , ecology , biology , composite material
Abundant and toxic hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) from industry and nature has been traditionally considered a liability. However, it represents a potential resource if valuable H 2 and elemental sulfur can be simultaneously extracted through a H 2 S splitting reaction. Herein a photochemical‐chemical loop linked by redox couples such as Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ and I − /I 3 − for photoelectrochemical H 2 production and H 2 S chemical absorption redox reactions are reported. Using functionalized Si as photoelectrodes, H 2 S was successfully split into elemental sulfur and H 2 with high stability and selectivity under simulated solar light. This new conceptual design will not only provide a possible route for using solar energy to convert H 2 S into valuable resources, but also sheds light on some challenging photochemical reactions such as CH 4 activation and CO 2 reduction.