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A silicon photoanode protected with TiO2/stainless steel bilayer stack for solar seawater splitting

Author

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  • Shixuan Zhao

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin))

  • Bin Liu

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin))

  • Kailang Li

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin))

  • Shujie Wang

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
    International Campus of Tianjin University)

  • Gong Zhang

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin))

  • Zhi-Jian Zhao

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage)

  • Tuo Wang

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    National Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage)

  • Jinlong Gong

    (Tianjin University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
    International Campus of Tianjin University
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations)

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical seawater splitting is a promising route for direct utilization of solar energy and abundant seawater resources for H2 production. However, the complex salinity composition in seawater results in intractable challenges for photoelectrodes. This paper describes the fabrication of a bilayer stack consisting of stainless steel and TiO2 as a cocatalyst and protective layer for Si photoanode. The chromium-incorporated NiFe (oxy)hydroxide converted from stainless steel film serves as a protective cocatalyst for efficient oxygen evolution and retarding the adsorption of corrosive ions from seawater, while the TiO2 is capable of avoiding the plasma damage of the surface layer of Si photoanode during the sputtering of stainless steel catalysts. By implementing this approach, the TiO2 layer effectively shields the vulnerable semiconductor photoelectrode from the harsh plasma sputtering conditions in stainless steel coating, preventing surface damages. Finally, the Si photoanode with the bilayer stack inhibits the adsorption of chloride and realizes 167 h stability in chloride-containing alkaline electrolytes. Furthermore, this photoanode also demonstrates stable performance under alkaline natural seawater for over 50 h with an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 2.62%.

Suggested Citation

  • Shixuan Zhao & Bin Liu & Kailang Li & Shujie Wang & Gong Zhang & Zhi-Jian Zhao & Tuo Wang & Jinlong Gong, 2024. "A silicon photoanode protected with TiO2/stainless steel bilayer stack for solar seawater splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47389-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47389-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jiaxin Guo & Yao Zheng & Zhenpeng Hu & Caiyan Zheng & Jing Mao & Kun Du & Mietek Jaroniec & Shi-Zhang Qiao & Tao Ling, 2023. "Direct seawater electrolysis by adjusting the local reaction environment of a catalyst," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 264-272, March.
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