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Enhanced photoelectrochemical efficiency and stability using a conformal TiO2 film on a black silicon photoanode

Author

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  • Yanhao Yu

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Zheng Zhang

    (School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Xin Yin

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Alexander Kvit

    (Materials Science Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Qingliang Liao

    (School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Zhuo Kang

    (School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Xiaoqin Yan

    (School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Yue Zhang

    (School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing
    Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials and Technologies, University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Xudong Wang

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

Black silicon (b-Si) is a surface-nanostructured Si with extremely efficient light absorption capability and is therefore of interest for solar energy conversion. However, intense charge recombination and low electrochemical stability limit the use of b-Si in photoelectrochemical solar-fuel production. Here we report that a conformal, ultrathin, amorphous TiO2 film deposited by low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) on top of b-Si can simultaneously address both of these issues. Combined with a Co(OH)2 thin film as the oxygen evolution catalyst, this b-Si/TiO2/Co(OH)2 heterostructured photoanode was able to produce a saturated photocurrent density of 32.3 mA cm−2 at an external potential of 1.48 V versus reversible reference electrode (RHE) in 1 M NaOH electrolyte. The enhanced photocurrent relative to planar Si and unprotected b-Si photoelectrodes was attributed to the enhanced charge separation efficiency as a result of the effective passivation of defective sites on the b-Si surface. The 8-nm ALD TiO2 layer extends the operational lifetime of b-Si from less than half an hour to four hours.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1038_nenergy.2017.45
    DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.45
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    Cited by:

    1. Xue Zhou & Baihe Fu & Linjuan Li & Zheng Tian & Xiankui Xu & Zihao Wu & Jing Yang & Zhonghai Zhang, 2022. "Hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne encapsulated cuprous oxide photocathode for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical water reduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Bin Liu & Tuo Wang & Shujie Wang & Gong Zhang & Dazhong Zhong & Tenghui Yuan & Hao Dong & Bo Wu & Jinlong Gong, 2022. "Back-illuminated photoelectrochemical flow cell for efficient CO2 reduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. 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.

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