IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natcom/v15y2024i1d10.1038_s41467-024-50893-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding the in-situ transformation of CuxO interlayers to increase the water splitting efficiency in NiO/n-Si photoanodes

Author

Listed:
  • Chao Feng

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhi Liu

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Huanxin Ju

    (Core Tech Integrated Limited)

  • Andraž Mavrič

    (University of Nova Gorica)

  • Matjaz Valant

    (University of Nova Gorica)

  • Jie Fu

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Beibei Zhang

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Yanbo Li

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

The buried interface tens of nanometers beneath the solid-liquid junction is crucial for photocarrier extraction, influencing the overall efficiency of photoelectrochemical devices. Precise characterization of the interfacial properties is essential for device optimization but remains challenging. Here, we directly probe the in situ transformation of a CuxO interlayer at the NiO/n-Si interface by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that Cu(I) in the CuxO interlayer gradually transforms to Cu(II) with air exposure, forming an energetically more favorable interface and improving photoanode’s efficiency. Based on this finding, a reactive e-beam evaporation process is developed for the direct deposition of a CuO interlayer, achieving a half-cell solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 4.56% for the optimized NiO/CuO/n-Si heterojunction photoanode. Our results highlight the importance of precision characterization of interfacial properties with advanced hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in guiding the design of efficient solar water-splitting devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Feng & Zhi Liu & Huanxin Ju & Andraž Mavrič & Matjaz Valant & Jie Fu & Beibei Zhang & Yanbo Li, 2024. "Understanding the in-situ transformation of CuxO interlayers to increase the water splitting efficiency in NiO/n-Si photoanodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50893-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50893-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50893-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41467-024-50893-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hiroshi Nishiyama & Taro Yamada & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Yoshiki Maehara & Masaharu Yamaguchi & Yasuko Kuromiya & Yoshie Nagatsuma & Hiromasa Tokudome & Seiji Akiyama & Tomoaki Watanabe & Ryoichi Narush, 2021. "Photocatalytic solar hydrogen production from water on a 100-m2 scale," Nature, Nature, vol. 598(7880), pages 304-307, October.
    2. Tsuyoshi Takata & Junzhe Jiang & Yoshihisa Sakata & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Naoya Shibata & Vikas Nandal & Kazuhiko Seki & Takashi Hisatomi & Kazunari Domen, 2020. "Photocatalytic water splitting with a quantum efficiency of almost unity," Nature, Nature, vol. 581(7809), pages 411-414, May.
    3. Ibadillah A. Digdaya & Gede W. P. Adhyaksa & Bartek J. Trześniewski & 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.
    4. Hemin Zhang & Dongfeng Li & Woo Jin Byun & Xiuli Wang & Tae Joo Shin & Hu Young Jeong & Hongxian Han & Can Li & Jae Sung Lee, 2020. "Gradient tantalum-doped hematite homojunction photoanode improves both photocurrents and turn-on voltage for solar water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Chao Feng & Faze Wang & Zhi Liu & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Yequan Xiao & Qiugui Zeng & Jie Fu & Qianbao Wu & Chunhua Cui & Yifan Han & Naoya Shibata & Kazunari Domen & Ian D. Sharp & Yanbo Li, 2021. "A self-healing catalyst for electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution in highly alkaline conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Changhao Liu & Ningsi Zhang & Yang Li & Rongli Fan & Wenjing Wang & Jianyong Feng & Chen Liu & Jiaou Wang & Weichang Hao & Zhaosheng Li & Zhigang Zou, 2023. "Long-term durability of metastable β-Fe2O3 photoanodes in highly corrosive seawater," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Jie Fu & Zeyu Fan & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Huanxin Ju & Nadiia Pastukhova & Yequan Xiao & Chao Feng & Naoya Shibata & Kazunari Domen & Yanbo Li, 2022. "Interface engineering of Ta3N5 thin film photoanode for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Qitao Chen & Baodong Mao & Yanhong Liu & Yunjie Zhou & Hui Huang & Song Wang & Longhua Li & Wei-Cheng Yan & Weidong Shi & Zhenhui Kang, 2024. "Designing 2D carbon dot nanoreactors for alcohol oxidation coupled with hydrogen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Yannan Liu & Cheng-Hao Liu & Tushar Debnath & Yong Wang & Darius Pohl & Lucas V. Besteiro & Debora Motta Meira & Shengyun Huang & Fan Yang & Bernd Rellinghaus & Mohamed Chaker & Dmytro F. Perepichka &, 2023. "Silver nanoparticle enhanced metal-organic matrix with interface-engineering for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Takuya Suguro & Fuminao Kishimoto & Nobuko Kariya & Tsuyoshi Fukui & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Naoya Shibata & Tsuyoshi Takata & Kazunari Domen & Kazuhiro Takanabe, 2022. "A hygroscopic nano-membrane coating achieves efficient vapor-fed photocatalytic water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    6. Yuyan Huang & Minhui Shen & Huijie Yan & Yingge He & Jianqiao Xu & Fang Zhu & Xin Yang & Yu-Xin Ye & Gangfeng Ouyang, 2024. "Achieving a solar-to-chemical efficiency of 3.6% in ambient conditions by inhibiting interlayer charges transport," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Yequan Xiao & Zeyu Fan & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Qiaoqiao Li & Liujiang Zhou & Qian Wang & Changli Li & Naoya Shibata & Kazunari Domen & Yanbo Li, 2022. "Decoupling light absorption and carrier transport via heterogeneous doping in Ta3N5 thin film photoanode," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    8. Yaguang Li & Xianhua Bai & Dachao Yuan & Fengyu Zhang & Bo Li & Xingyuan San & Baolai Liang & Shufang Wang & Jun Luo & Guangsheng Fu, 2022. "General heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    9. Sun, Zhen & Wang, Junxiang & Lu, Sen & Zhang, Guan, 2022. "Enzymatic biomass hydrolysis assisted photocatalytic H2 production from water employing porous carbon doped brookite/anatase heterophase titania photocatalyst," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 151-160.
    10. Yimeng Li & Li Yang & Huijie He & Lei Sun & Honglei Wang & Xu Fang & Yanliang Zhao & Daoyuan Zheng & Yu Qi & Zhen Li & Weiqiao Deng, 2022. "In situ photodeposition of platinum clusters on a covalent organic framework for photocatalytic hydrogen production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    11. Isaac Holmes-Gentle & Saurabh Tembhurne & Clemens Suter & Sophia Haussener, 2023. "Kilowatt-scale solar hydrogen production system using a concentrated integrated photoelectrochemical device," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(6), pages 586-596, June.
    12. Vikas Nandal & Ryota Shoji & Hiroyuki Matsuzaki & Akihiro Furube & Lihua Lin & Takashi Hisatomi & Masanori Kaneko & Koichi Yamashita & Kazunari Domen & Kazuhiko Seki, 2021. "Unveiling charge dynamics of visible light absorbing oxysulfide for efficient overall water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    13. Chunzhi Li & Jiali Liu & He Li & Kaifeng Wu & Junhui Wang & Qihua Yang, 2022. "Covalent organic frameworks with high quantum efficiency in sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    14. Xinyi Zhang & Michael Schwarze & Reinhard Schomäcker & Roel Krol & Fatwa F. Abdi, 2023. "Life cycle net energy assessment of sustainable H2 production and hydrogenation of chemicals in a coupled photoelectrochemical device," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    15. Rui-Ting Gao & Jiangwei Zhang & Tomohiko Nakajima & Jinlu He & Xianhu Liu & Xueyuan Zhang & Lei Wang & Limin Wu, 2023. "Single-atomic-site platinum steers photogenerated charge carrier lifetime of hematite nanoflakes for photoelectrochemical water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    16. Wei-Wei Fang & Gui-Yu Yang & Zi-Hui Fan & Zi-Chao Chen & Xun-Liang Hu & Zhen Zhan & Irshad Hussain & Yang Lu & Tao He & Bi-En Tan, 2023. "Conjugated cross-linked phosphine as broadband light or sunlight-driven photocatalyst for large-scale atom transfer radical polymerization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    17. Kenji Katayama & Kei Kawaguchi & Yuta Egawa & Zhenhua Pan, 2022. "Local Charge Carrier Dynamics for Photocatalytic Materials Using Pattern-Illumination Time-Resolved Phase Microscopy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-13, December.
    18. Camilo A. Mesa & Michael Sachs & Ernest Pastor & Nicolas Gauriot & Alice J. Merryweather & Miguel A. Gomez-Gonzalez & Konstantin Ignatyev & Sixto Giménez & Akshay Rao & James R. Durrant & Raj Pandya, 2024. "Correlating activities and defects in (photo)electrocatalysts using in-situ multi-modal microscopic imaging," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    19. Lu, Buchu & Yan, Xiangyu & Liu, Qibin, 2023. "Enhanced solar hydrogen generation with the direct coupling of photo and thermal energy – An experimental and mechanism study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    20. Agnes E. Thorarinsdottir & Samuel S. Veroneau & Daniel G. Nocera, 2022. "Self-healing oxygen evolution catalysts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50893-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.