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Liquid metal-embraced photoactive films for artificial photosynthesis

Author

Listed:
  • Chao Zhen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiangtao Chen

    (Northeastern University)

  • Ruotian Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fengtao Fan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaoxiang Xu

    (Tongji University)

  • Yuyang Kang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jingdong Guo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lianzhou Wang

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Gao Qing (Max) Lu

    (University of Surrey)

  • Kazunari Domen

    (Shinshu University
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Hui-Ming Cheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Gang Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

The practical applications of solar-driven water splitting pivot on significant advances that enable scalable production of robust photoactive films. Here, we propose a proof-of-concept for fabricating robust photoactive films by a particle-implanting technique (PiP) which embeds semiconductor photoabsorbers in the liquid metal. The strong semiconductor/metal interaction enables resulting films efficient collection of photogenerated charges and superior photoactivity. A photoanode of liquid-metal embraced BiVO4 can stably operate over 120 h and retain ~ 70% of activity when scaled from 1 to 64 cm2. Furthermore, a Z-scheme photocatalyst film of liquid-metal embraced BiVO4 and Rh-doped SrTiO3 particles can drive overall water splitting under visible light, delivering an activity 2.9 times higher than that of the control film with gold support and a 110 h stability. These results demonstrate the advantages of the PiP technique in constructing robust and efficient photoactive films for artificial photosynthesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Zhen & Xiangtao Chen & Ruotian Chen & Fengtao Fan & Xiaoxiang Xu & Yuyang Kang & Jingdong Guo & Lianzhou Wang & Gao Qing (Max) Lu & Kazunari Domen & Hui-Ming Cheng & Gang Liu, 2024. "Liquid metal-embraced photoactive films for artificial photosynthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-46073-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46073-6
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