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Semi-transparent and stable In2S3/CdTe heterojunction photoanodes for unbiased photoelectrochemical water splitting

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  • Yuan Cai

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Shujie Wang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City)

  • Bin Liu

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Gong Zhang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering)

  • Hui Gao

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering)

  • Yuting Tong

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Qingfeng Chang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education)

  • Peng Zhang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City)

  • Tuo Wang

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations
    International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City)

  • Jinlong Gong

    (Tianjin University; Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemical Science & Engineering
    International Joint Laboratory of Low-carbon Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education
    Tianjin University
    Tianjin Normal University)

Abstract

The development of low-cost, high-performance, and stable photoanodes is essential for solar-driven photoelectrochemical energy conversion. In2S3, an n-type semi-transparent semiconductor (~2.0 eV), is particularly well-suited as a photoanode in PEC tandem devices. However, the Schottky barrier at the In2S3/FTO interface as well as the inherent defects in In2S3 suppress charge extraction. This paper describes the design of a semi-transparent photoanode aimed at enhancing carrier mobility for unassisted water splitting. We incorporate a semi-transparent Ag layer at the FTO/In2S3 interface to establish an ohmic contact, effectively resolving the conflict between light shielding of metal and the electron collection barrier from In2S3 to FTO. Additionally, the In2S3/CdTe p-n heterojunction forms an effective built-in electric field, which serves as a strong driving force for the separation and migration of photogenerated charges. The Ag/Ag:In2S3/In2S3/CdTe/NiOx/TiO2/Ni semi-transparent photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 12.2 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, with stable operation for 60 h. Pairing a back-illuminated Si photocathode with an In2S3/CdTe semi-transparent photoanode enables a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 5.10%.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Cai & Shujie Wang & Bin Liu & Gong Zhang & Hui Gao & Yuting Tong & Qingfeng Chang & Peng Zhang & Tuo Wang & Jinlong Gong, 2025. "Semi-transparent and stable In2S3/CdTe heterojunction photoanodes for unbiased photoelectrochemical water splitting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60444-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60444-7
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