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Visible light-driven efficient overall water splitting using p-type metal-nitride nanowire arrays

Author

Listed:
  • M. G. Kibria

    (McGill University)

  • F. A. Chowdhury

    (McGill University)

  • S. Zhao

    (McGill University)

  • B. AlOtaibi

    (McGill University)

  • M. L. Trudeau

    (Science des Matériaux, IREQ, Hydro-Québec)

  • H. Guo

    (Centre for the Physics of Materials, McGill University)

  • Z. Mi

    (McGill University)

Abstract

Solar water splitting for hydrogen generation can be a potential source of renewable energy for the future. Here we show that efficient and stable stoichiometric dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen can be achieved under visible light by eradicating the potential barrier on nonpolar surfaces of indium gallium nitride nanowires through controlled p-type dopant incorporation. An apparent quantum efficiency of ∼12.3% is achieved for overall neutral (pH∼7.0) water splitting under visible light illumination (400–475 nm). Moreover, using a double-band p-type gallium nitride/indium gallium nitride nanowire heterostructure, we show a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of ∼1.8% under concentrated sunlight. The dominant effect of near-surface band structure in transforming the photocatalytic performance is elucidated. The stability and efficiency of this recyclable, wafer-level nanoscale metal-nitride photocatalyst in neutral water demonstrates their potential use for large-scale solar-fuel conversion.

Suggested Citation

  • M. G. Kibria & F. A. Chowdhury & S. Zhao & B. AlOtaibi & M. L. Trudeau & H. Guo & Z. Mi, 2015. "Visible light-driven efficient overall water splitting using p-type metal-nitride nanowire arrays," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7797
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7797
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    Cited by:

    1. Menon, Sumithra Sivadas & Hafeez, Hafeez Yusuf & Gupta, Bhavana & Baskar, K. & Bhalerao, Gopal & Hussain, Shamima & Neppolian, Bernaurdshaw & Singh, Shubra, 2019. "ZnO:InN oxynitride: A novel and unconventional photocatalyst for efficient UV–visible light driven hydrogen evolution from water," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 760-769.
    2. Ruiz-Aguirre, A. & Villachica-Llamosas, J.G. & Polo-López, M.I. & Cabrera-Reina, A. & Colón, G. & Peral, J. & Malato, S., 2022. "Assessment of pilot-plant scale solar photocatalytic hydrogen generation with multiple approaches: Valorization, water decontamination and disinfection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    3. Xin Liu & Danhao Wang & Wei Chen & Yang Kang & Shi Fang & Yuanmin Luo & Dongyang Luo & Huabin Yu & Haochen Zhang & Kun Liang & Lan Fu & Boon S. Ooi & Sheng Liu & Haiding Sun, 2024. "Optoelectronic synapses with chemical-electric behaviors in gallium nitride semiconductors for biorealistic neuromorphic functionality," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Guo, Liejin & Chen, Yubin & Su, Jinzhan & Liu, Maochang & Liu, Ya, 2019. "Obstacles of solar-powered photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production: A perspective from energy flow and mass flow," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1079-1086.
    5. Zeng, Zilong & Jing, Dengwei & Guo, Liejin, 2021. "Efficient hydrogen production in a spotlight reactor with plate photocatalyst of TiO2/NiO heterojunction supported on nickel foam," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    6. Chatterjee, U. & Park, Ji-Hyeon & Um, Dae-Young & Lee, Cheul-Ro, 2017. "III-nitride nanowires for solar light harvesting: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1002-1015.

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