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Benchmark performance of low-cost Sb2Se3 photocathodes for unassisted solar overall water splitting

Author

Listed:
  • Wooseok Yang

    (Yonsei University)

  • Jin Hyun Kim

    (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Oliver S. Hutter

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Laurie J. Phillips

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Jeiwan Tan

    (Yonsei University)

  • Jaemin Park

    (Yonsei University)

  • Hyungsoo Lee

    (Yonsei University)

  • Jonathan D. Major

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Jae Sung Lee

    (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jooho Moon

    (Yonsei University)

Abstract

Determining cost-effective semiconductors exhibiting desirable properties for commercial photoelectrochemical water splitting remains a challenge. Herein, we report a Sb2Se3 semiconductor that satisfies most requirements for an ideal high-performance photoelectrode, including a small band gap and favourable cost, optoelectronic properties, processability, and photocorrosion stability. Strong anisotropy, a major issue for Sb2Se3, is resolved by suppressing growth kinetics via close space sublimation to obtain high-quality compact thin films with favourable crystallographic orientation. The Sb2Se3 photocathode exhibits a high photocurrent density of almost 30 mA cm−2 at 0 V against the reversible hydrogen electrode, the highest value so far. We demonstrate unassisted solar overall water splitting by combining the optimised Sb2Se3 photocathode with a BiVO4 photoanode, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 1.5% with stability over 10 h under simulated 1 sun conditions employing a broad range of solar fluxes. Low-cost Sb2Se3 can thus be an attractive breakthrough material for commercial solar fuel production.

Suggested Citation

  • Wooseok Yang & Jin Hyun Kim & Oliver S. Hutter & Laurie J. Phillips & Jeiwan Tan & Jaemin Park & Hyungsoo Lee & Jonathan D. Major & Jae Sung Lee & Jooho Moon, 2020. "Benchmark performance of low-cost Sb2Se3 photocathodes for unassisted solar overall water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14704-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14704-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuan Lu & Byoung Guan Lee & Cheng Lin & Tae-Kyung Liu & Zhipeng Wang & Jiaming Miao & Sang Ho Oh & Ki Chul Kim & Kan Zhang & Jong Hyeok Park, 2024. "Solar-driven highly selective conversion of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone using surface atom engineered BiVO4 photoanodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Wan Jae Dong & Yixin Xiao & Ke R. Yang & Zhengwei Ye & Peng Zhou & Ishtiaque Ahmed Navid & Victor S. Batista & Zetian Mi, 2023. "Pt nanoclusters on GaN nanowires for solar-asssisted seawater hydrogen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Hamdani, I.R. & Bhaskarwar, A.N., 2021. "Recent progress in material selection and device designs for photoelectrochemical water-splitting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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