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Interface engineering of Ta3N5 thin film photoanode for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Author

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  • Jie Fu

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Zeyu Fan

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

  • Mamiko Nakabayashi

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Huanxin Ju

    (CoreTech Integrated Limited)

  • Nadiia Pastukhova

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Yequan Xiao

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Chao Feng

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Naoya Shibata

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Kazunari Domen

    (The University of Tokyo
    Shinshu University)

  • Yanbo Li

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

Abstract

Interface engineering is a proven strategy to improve the efficiency of thin film semiconductor based solar energy conversion devices. Ta3N5 thin film photoanode is a promising candidate for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Yet, a concerted effort to engineer both the bottom and top interfaces of Ta3N5 thin film photoanode is still lacking. Here, we employ n-type In:GaN and p-type Mg:GaN to modify the bottom and top interfaces of Ta3N5 thin film photoanode, respectively. The obtained In:GaN/Ta3N5/Mg:GaN heterojunction photoanode shows enhanced bulk carrier separation capability and better injection efficiency at photoanode/electrolyte interface, which lead to a record-high applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 3.46% for Ta3N5-based photoanode. Furthermore, the roles of the In:GaN and Mg:GaN layers are distinguished through mechanistic studies. While the In:GaN layer contributes mainly to the enhanced bulk charge separation efficiency, the Mg:GaN layer improves the surface charge inject efficiency. This work demonstrates the crucial role of proper interface engineering for thin film-based photoanode in achieving efficient PEC water splitting.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28415-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28415-4
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.

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