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Floating perovskite-BiVO4 devices for scalable solar fuel production

Author

Listed:
  • Virgil Andrei

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Geani M. Ucoski

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Chanon Pornrungroj

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Chawit Uswachoke

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Qian Wang

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Demetra S. Achilleos

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Hatice Kasap

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Katarzyna P. Sokol

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Robert A. Jagt

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Haijiao Lu

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Takashi Lawson

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Andreas Wagner

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Sebastian D. Pike

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Dominic S. Wright

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Robert L. Z. Hoye

    (University of Cambridge
    Imperial College London)

  • Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Hannah J. Joyce

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Richard H. Friend

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Erwin Reisner

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) artificial leaves hold the potential to lower the costs of sustainable solar fuel production by integrating light harvesting and catalysis within one compact device. However, current deposition techniques limit their scalability1, whereas fragile and heavy bulk materials can affect their transport and deployment. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of lightweight artificial leaves by employing thin, flexible substrates and carbonaceous protection layers. Lead halide perovskite photocathodes deposited onto indium tin oxide-coated polyethylene terephthalate achieved an activity of 4,266 µmol H2 g−1 h−1 using a platinum catalyst, whereas photocathodes with a molecular Co catalyst for CO2 reduction attained a high CO:H2 selectivity of 7.2 under lower (0.1 sun) irradiation. The corresponding lightweight perovskite-BiVO4 PEC devices showed unassisted solar-to-fuel efficiencies of 0.58% (H2) and 0.053% (CO), respectively. Their potential for scalability is demonstrated by 100 cm2 stand-alone artificial leaves, which sustained a comparable performance and stability (of approximately 24 h) to their 1.7 cm2 counterparts. Bubbles formed under operation further enabled 30–100 mg cm−2 devices to float, while lightweight reactors facilitated gas collection during outdoor testing on a river. This leaf-like PEC device bridges the gulf in weight between traditional solar fuel approaches, showcasing activities per gram comparable to those of photocatalytic suspensions and plant leaves. The presented lightweight, floating systems may enable open-water applications, thus avoiding competition with land use.

Suggested Citation

  • Virgil Andrei & Geani M. Ucoski & Chanon Pornrungroj & Chawit Uswachoke & Qian Wang & Demetra S. Achilleos & Hatice Kasap & Katarzyna P. Sokol & Robert A. Jagt & Haijiao Lu & Takashi Lawson & Andreas , 2022. "Floating perovskite-BiVO4 devices for scalable solar fuel production," Nature, Nature, vol. 608(7923), pages 518-522, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:608:y:2022:i:7923:d:10.1038_s41586-022-04978-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04978-6
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Xiaodong Li & Li Li & Guangbo Chen & Xingyuan Chu & Xiaohui Liu & Chandrasekhar Naisa & Darius Pohl & Markus Löffler & Xinliang Feng, 2023. "Accessing parity-forbidden d-d transitions for photocatalytic CO2 reduction driven by infrared light," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Swapnali Walake & Yogesh Jadhav & Atul Kulkarni, 2023. "Novel Spinel Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reactions: An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Hao Ling & Huacong Sun & Lisha Lu & Jingkun Zhang & Lei Liao & Jianlin Wang & Xiaowei Zhang & Yingying Lan & Renjie Li & Wengang Lu & Lejuan Cai & Xuedong Bai & Wenlong Wang, 2024. "Sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production over octonary high-entropy oxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Austin M. K. Fehr & Ayush Agrawal & Faiz Mandani & Christian L. Conrad & Qi Jiang & So Yeon Park & Olivia Alley & Bor Li & Siraj Sidhik & Isaac Metcalf & Christopher Botello & James L. Young & Jacky E, 2023. "Integrated halide perovskite photoelectrochemical cells with solar-driven water-splitting efficiency of 20.8%," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Bilawal Khan & M. Bilal Faheem & Karthik Peramaiah & Jinlan Nie & Hao Huang & Zhongxiao Li & Chen Liu & Kuo-Wei Huang & Jr-Hau He, 2024. "Unassisted photoelectrochemical CO2-to-liquid fuel splitting over 12% solar conversion efficiency," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Biswas, Neeraj Kumar & Srivastav, Anupam & Saxena, Sakshi & Verma, Anuradha & Dutta, Runjhun & Srivastava, Manju & Upadhyay, Sumant & Satsangi, Vibha Rani & Shrivastav, Rohit & Dass, Sahab, 2023. "Temperature of photoanode for photoelectrochemical water oxidation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 504-511.
    8. 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.

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