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Substantial lifetime enhancement for Si-based photoanodes enabled by amorphous TiO2 coating with improved stoichiometry

Author

Listed:
  • Yutao Dong

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Mehrdad Abbasi

    (The Ohio State University)

  • Jun Meng

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Lazarus German

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Corey Carlos

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Jun Li

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Ziyi Zhang

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Dane Morgan

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Jinwoo Hwang

    (The Ohio State University)

  • Xudong Wang

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

Amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2) film coating by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising strategy to extend the photoelectrode lifetime to meet the industrial standard for solar fuel generation. To realize this promise, the essential structure-property relationship that dictates the protection lifetime needs to be uncovered. In this work, we reveal that in addition to the imbedded crystalline phase, the presence of residual chlorine (Cl) ligands is detrimental to the silicon (Si) photoanode lifetime. We further demonstrate that post-ALD in-situ water treatment can effectively decouple the ALD reaction completeness from crystallization. The as-processed TiO2 film has a much lower residual Cl concentration and thus an improved film stoichiometry, while its uniform amorphous phase is well preserved. As a result, the protected Si photoanode exhibits a substantially improved lifetime to ~600 h at a photocurrent density of more than 30 mA/cm2. This study demonstrates a significant advancement toward sustainable hydrogen generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Yutao Dong & Mehrdad Abbasi & Jun Meng & Lazarus German & Corey Carlos & Jun Li & Ziyi Zhang & Dane Morgan & Jinwoo Hwang & Xudong Wang, 2023. "Substantial lifetime enhancement for Si-based photoanodes enabled by amorphous TiO2 coating with improved stoichiometry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37154-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37154-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yanhao Yu & Zheng Zhang & Xin Yin & Alexander Kvit & Qingliang Liao & Zhuo Kang & Xiaoqin Yan & Yue Zhang & Xudong Wang, 2017. "Enhanced photoelectrochemical efficiency and stability using a conformal TiO2 film on a black silicon photoanode," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(6), pages 1-7, June.
    2. Ibadillah A. Digdaya & Gede W. P. Adhyaksa & Bartek J. TrzeĊ›niewski & Erik C. Garnett & Wilson A. Smith, 2017. "Interfacial engineering of metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical water oxidation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, December.
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