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Stable solar water splitting with wettable organic-layer-protected silicon photocathodes

Author

Listed:
  • Bo Wu

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Tuo Wang

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Bin Liu

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Huimin Li

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Yunlong Wang

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Shujie Wang

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Lili Zhang

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Shaokun Jiang

    (Purification Equipment Research Institute of Handan)

  • Chunlei Pei

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University)

  • Jinlong Gong

    (Tianjin University
    Tianjin University
    International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City)

Abstract

Protective layers are essential for Si-based photocathodes to achieve long-term stability. The conventionally used inorganic protective layers, such as TiO2, need to be free of pinholes to isolate Si from corrosive solution, which demands extremely high-quality deposition techniques. On the other hand, organic hydrophobic protective layers suffer from the trade-off between current density and stability. This paper describes the design and fabrication of a discontinuous hybrid organic protective layer with controllable surface wettability. The underlying hydrophobic layer induces the formation of thin gas layers at the discontinuous pores to isolate the electrolyte from Si substrate, while allowing Pt co-catalyst to contact the electrolyte for water splitting. Meanwhile, the surface of this organic layer is modified with hydrophilic hydroxyl groups to facilitate bubble detachment. The optimized photocathode achieves a stable photocurrent of 35 mA/cm2 for over 110 h with no trend of decay.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Wu & Tuo Wang & Bin Liu & Huimin Li & Yunlong Wang & Shujie Wang & Lili Zhang & Shaokun Jiang & Chunlei Pei & Jinlong Gong, 2022. "Stable solar water splitting with wettable organic-layer-protected silicon photocathodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32099-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32099-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jianyun Zheng & Yanhong Lyu & Ruilun Wang & Chao Xie & Huaijuan Zhou & San Ping Jiang & Shuangyin Wang, 2018. "Crystalline TiO2 protective layer with graded oxygen defects for efficient and stable silicon-based photocathode," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Linfeng Pan & Yuhang Liu & Liang Yao & Ren & Kevin Sivula & Michael Grätzel & Anders Hagfeldt, 2020. "Cu2O photocathodes with band-tail states assisted hole transport for standalone solar water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
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