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A graded catalytic–protective layer for an efficient and stable water-splitting photocathode

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  • Jing Gu

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
    † Present addresses: San Diego State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1030, USA (J.G.); Idaho National Laboratory, Fuel Design and Development, 2525 Fremont Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, USA (J.A.A.); Physics Department, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA (K.X.S.); Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 151 Tiernan Hall, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA (Y.Y.).)

  • Jeffery A. Aguiar

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
    † Present addresses: San Diego State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1030, USA (J.G.); Idaho National Laboratory, Fuel Design and Development, 2525 Fremont Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, USA (J.A.A.); Physics Department, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA (K.X.S.); Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 151 Tiernan Hall, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA (Y.Y.).)

  • Suzanne Ferrere

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center)

  • K. Xerxes Steirer

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
    † Present addresses: San Diego State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1030, USA (J.G.); Idaho National Laboratory, Fuel Design and Development, 2525 Fremont Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, USA (J.A.A.); Physics Department, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA (K.X.S.); Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 151 Tiernan Hall, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA (Y.Y.).)

  • Yong Yan

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
    † Present addresses: San Diego State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1030, USA (J.G.); Idaho National Laboratory, Fuel Design and Development, 2525 Fremont Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, USA (J.A.A.); Physics Department, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA (K.X.S.); Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 151 Tiernan Hall, University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA (Y.Y.).)

  • Chuanxiao Xiao

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center)

  • James L. Young

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center)

  • Mowafak Al-Jassim

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center)

  • Nathan R. Neale

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center)

  • John A. Turner

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center)

Abstract

Achieving solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies above 15% is key for the commercial success of photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices. While tandem cells can reach those efficiencies, increasing the catalytic activity and long-term stability remains a significant challenge. Here we show that annealing a bilayer of amorphous titanium dioxide (TiOx) and molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) deposited onto GaInP2 results in a photocathode with high catalytic activity (current density of 11 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode under 1 sun illumination) and stability (retention of 80% of initial photocurrent density over a 20 h durability test) for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Microscopy and spectroscopy reveal that annealing results in a graded MoSx/MoOx/TiO2 layer that retains much of the high catalytic activity of amorphous MoSx but with stability similar to crystalline MoS2. Our findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing a hybridized, heterogeneous surface layer as a cost-effective catalytic and protective interface for solar hydrogen production.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Gu & Jeffery A. Aguiar & Suzanne Ferrere & K. Xerxes Steirer & Yong Yan & Chuanxiao Xiao & James L. Young & Mowafak Al-Jassim & Nathan R. Neale & John A. Turner, 2017. "A graded catalytic–protective layer for an efficient and stable water-splitting photocathode," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(2), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1038_nenergy.2016.192
    DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2016.192
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