Supporting information and the ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under: https://doi.Figure 4. a) The high-resolution XPS spectra of O 1s for TiO 2 and Nia/TiO 2 samples. b) Molecular models of O V on TiO 2 , O V on Ni/TiO 2 , and the corresponding formation energy of O V . c) Free energy versus the reaction coordinates of different active sites. The simulation is based on the (101) facet of anatase TiO 2 . d) The linear scan voltammetry curves of TiO 2 and Ni-a/TiO 2 based electrodes. Angewandte Chemie Communications 7233
Solar H 2 production is considered as a potentially promising way to utilize solar energy and tackle climate change stemming from the combustion of fossil fuels. Photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical, photovoltaic−electrochemical, solar thermochemical, photothermal catalytic, and photobiological technologies are the most intensively studied routes for solar H 2 production. In this Focus Review, we provide a comprehensive review of these technologies. After a brief introduction of the principles and mechanisms of these technologies, the recent achievements in solar H 2 production are summarized, with a particular focus on the high solar-to-H 2 (STH) conversion efficiency achieved by each route. We then comparatively analyze and evaluate these technologies based on the metrics of STH efficiency, durability, economic viability, and environmental sustainability, aiming to assess the commercial feasibility of these solar technologies compared with current industrial H 2 production processes. Finally, the challenges and prospects of future research on solar H 2 production technologies are presented.
Element doping has been extensively attempted to develop visible-light-driven photocatalysts, which introduces impurity levels and enhances light absorption. However, the dopants can also become recombination centers for photogenerated electrons and holes. To address the recombination challenge, we report a gradient phosphorus-doped CdS (CdS-P) homojunction nanostructure, creating an oriented built-in electric-field for efficient extraction of carriers from inside to surface of the photocatalyst. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQY) based on the cocatalyst-free photocatalyst is up to 8.2% at 420 nm while the H evolution rate boosts to 194.3 μmol·h·mg, which is 58.3 times higher than that of pristine CdS. This concept of oriented built-in electric field introduced by surface gradient diffusion doping should provide a new approach to design other types of semiconductor photocatalysts for efficient solar-to-chemical conversion.
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