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Silicon Photoanodes Partially Covered by Ni@Ni(OH) 2 Core–Shell Particles for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation
Author(s) -
Xu Guangzhou,
Xu Zhe,
Shi Zhan,
Pei Lang,
Yan Shicheng,
Gu Zhengbin,
Zou Zhigang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201700825
Subject(s) - silicon , photoelectrochemistry , water splitting , materials science , photoelectrochemical cell , chemical engineering , core (optical fiber) , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , catalysis , photocatalysis , metallurgy , electrode , composite material , biochemistry , electrolyte , engineering
Two obstacles hindering solar energy conversion by photoelectrochemical (PEC) water‐splitting devices are the charge separation and the transport efficiency at the photoanode–electrolyte interface region. Herein, core–shell‐structured Ni@Ni(OH) 2 nanoparticles were electrodeposited on the surface of an n‐type Si photoanode. The Schottky barrier between Ni and Si is sensitive to the thickness of the Ni(OH) 2 shell. The photovoltage output of the photoanode increases with increasing thickness of the Ni(OH) 2 shell, and is influenced by interactions between Ni and Ni(OH) 2 , the electrolyte screening effect, and the p‐type nature of the Ni(OH) 2 layer. Ni@Ni(OH) 2 core–shell nanoparticles with appropriate shell thicknesses coupled to n‐type Si photoanodes promote the separation of photogenerated carriers and improve the charge‐injection efficiency to nearly 100 %. An onset potential of 1.03 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a saturated current density of 36.4 mA cm −2 was obtained for the assembly.