Defect engineering of ZnS thin films for photoelectrochemical water-splitting under visible light

Kurnia, Fran; Ng, Yun Hau; Amal, Rose; Valanoor, Nagarajan; Hart, Judy N.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2016.04.021

Cited by 77 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For instance, Kurnia et al fabricated Zn vacancies in ZnS by a pulsed laser deposition method in a N 2 atmosphere. [ 96 ] The optimum photoanode exhibited an enhanced J ph of 1.6 mA cm −2 at 1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl compared to the pristine ZnS photoanode. DFT calculation was performed to investigate the electronic structure of ZnS with Zn vacancies.…”

Section: Strategies For Improving Pec Performance Of 2d Photoanodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two‐Dimentional Nanostructured Metal Oxide/Sulfide–Based Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Tian

2020

Solar RRL

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The utilization of solar energy plays a vital role in relieving energy crisis and associated environmental problems. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, which can directly transform solar energy into clean hydrogen energy, is one of the most promising strategies to utilize solar energy. 2D nanostructured metal oxides/sulfides have been widely applied as photoanodes in PEC cells due to their unique configuration and features, which can efficiently improve light absorption, enlarge electrode/electrolyte contacting interfaces, and promote carrier transfer and injection. This article begins with the introduction of performance parameters, carrier dynamics measurement, and mechanism exploration techniques for photoanodes, which is followed by an overview of research progress in using 2D nanostructure metal oxides/sulfides to fabricate efficient photoanodes for PEC water splitting. Subsequently, the recent representative strategies to optimize the PEC performance of 2D metal oxides/sulfides photoanodes, including structure engineering, defect engineering, element doping, heterojunction construction, and surface modification, are summarized. Finally, the exciting advances and future research directions for designing highly efficient 2D photoanodes are provided.

show abstract

Section: Strategies For Improving Pec Performance Of 2d Photoanodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two‐Dimentional Nanostructured Metal Oxide/Sulfide–Based Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Tian

2020

Solar RRL

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Hao et al investigated the vacancy‐dependent band structure and photocatalytic activity in ZnS (Zn‐deficient) prepared by using Na 2 S as the sulfur source during hydrothermal reaction . Kurnia et al reported the ZnS thin film with a bandgap of 2.4 eV prepared via gas‐assisted pulsed laser deposition . And a much higher photocurrent density (up to ≈1.5 mA cm −2 ) under visible light irradiation during photoelectrochemical water splitting was observed due to a better light absorption.…”

Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design Principles and Material Engineering of ZnS for Optoelectronic Devices and Catalysis

Liu

Chen

et al. 2018

Adv Funct Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ZnS, as one of the first semiconductors discovered and a rising material star, has embraced exciting breakthroughs in the past few years. To shed light on the design principles and engineering techniques of ZnS for improved/novel optoelectronic properties, the fundamental mechanisms and commonly employed strategies are proposed in this review. Recent progress on modifications of ZnS allows it to be extensively and effectively used in versatile applications, including transparent conductors, UV photodetectors, luminescent devices, and catalysis, which are clearly and comprehensively summarized in this work. Novel functional devices springing up from the newly developed ZnS-based materials are highlighted as well. This review not only provides a scientific insight into the advances of ZnS-based materials, but also touches on the future opportunities in this inspiring field.The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201802029. relatively high charge recombination rate and low charge transport process inhibit the optoelectronic properties of ZnS as a high-performance photodetector. As a window layer of optoelectronic devices, a lack of high electrical conductivity typically hinders the practical use of ZnS in solar cells, photodiodes, light-emitting devices, etc. As a photocatalyst, the transparency of ZnS becomes a drawback as it suffers from a poor utilization of sunlight.There is not a perfect material, but the potential of developing a material is beyond limitation. The past few years have witnessed extensive designing and engineering of ZnS to explore its potentials in specific applications. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] This review summarizes the recent breakthroughs on ZnS-based materials as excellent candidates in optoelectronic devices, photocatalysis, and other novel functional devices. More importantly, it sheds light on the design principles and fundamental mechanisms of the improved performance of ZnS through strategies such as developing novel nanostructures, bandgap engineering, alloying with other materials, etc. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first comprehensive review on the design principles and material engineering of ZnS for novel/improved properties and intended applications. Briefly, current literature on a variety of ZnS-based structures was first summarized, ranging from 0D to 2D nanostructures. Then, the representative applications of ZnS-based materials are described, which are mainly consisted of four parts, as shown in Figure 1: transparent conductors, UV photodetectors, luminescent devices, and catalysis. Each part contains the latest design strategies of ZnS for the intended applications, fabrication techniques, representative examples, and the state-of-the-art devices. Finally, it outlines the challenges and opportunities in each field. In particular, we provide our perspectives on the future research directions of ZnS in energy and environment.

show abstract

“…To enhance photocatalytic activity, transition metal-doped ZnS (Cu, Ni, Mo) or doping with GaN were investigated as potentially efficient photocatalysts to generate H 2 under visible light irradiation [180][181][182]. However, due to the remaining challenges of dopant introduction [181,[183][184][185][186] an alternative method by controlling defects in nanostructured ZnS has been exploited through PLD to enhance the overall PEC properties of ZnS [187]. The fabrication of ZnS-based heterojunctions with other semiconductors for more advanced designs has been considered to enhance PEC performance for water splitting.…”

Section: Ferroelectric Chalcogenides (1) Cdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ferroelectric Materials: A Novel Pathway for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Over the past few decades, solar water splitting has evolved into one of the most promising techniques for harvesting hydrogen using solar energy. Despite the high potential of this process for hydrogen production, many research groups have encountered significant challenges in the quest to achieve a high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. Recently, ferroelectric materials have attracted much attention as promising candidate materials for water splitting. These materials are among the best candidates for achieving water oxidation using solar energy. Moreover, their characteristics are changeable by atom substitute doping or the fabrication of a new complex structure. In this review, we describe solar water splitting technology via the solar-to-hydrogen conversion process. We will examine the challenges associated with this technology whereby ferroelectric materials are exploited to achieve a high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency.

show abstract

Defect engineering of ZnS thin films for photoelectrochemical water-splitting under visible light

Cited by 77 publications

References 37 publications

Two‐Dimentional Nanostructured Metal Oxide/Sulfide–Based Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Two‐Dimentional Nanostructured Metal Oxide/Sulfide–Based Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Design Principles and Material Engineering of ZnS for Optoelectronic Devices and Catalysis

Ferroelectric Materials: A Novel Pathway for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About