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Material Design and Surface/Interface Engineering of Photoelectrodes for Solar Water Splitting
Author(s) -
Hu Yingfei,
Huang Huiting,
Feng Jianyong,
Wang Wei,
Guan Hangmin,
Li Zhaosheng,
Zou Zhigang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
solar rrl
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.544
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2367-198X
DOI - 10.1002/solr.202100100
Subject(s) - water splitting , materials science , surface engineering , heterojunction , nanotechnology , passivation , coating , renewable energy , solar energy , energy conversion efficiency , optoelectronics , chemistry , photocatalysis , electrical engineering , engineering , catalysis , biochemistry , layer (electronics)
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting can convert solar energy into clean and renewable hydrogen energy, showing a promising application prospect. However, large‐scale implementation of PEC water splitting is now hampered by insufficient solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency, which requires the development of high‐performance photoelectrodes. Key processes that determine the water splitting performance of photoelectrodes are the light absorption, separation, and transport efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes and the surface reaction of water oxidation/reduction. Concerning these three key processes, various material design and surface/interface engineering strategies have been explored to improve the performance of photoelectrodes. Herein, these strategies for photoelectrode optimization of the past decades are summarized and discussed in terms of micro‐ and nanostructuring, heterojunction construction, element doping, surface passivation, plasmonic metal coating, and electrocatalyst modification. Special attention is given to how these strategies play their roles in improving the performance of photoelectrodes, based on which it is hoped light is shed on the design principles and modification routes for high‐performance photoelectrodes.