Efficient and Stable MoS₂/CdSe/NiO Photocathode for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation from Water

Abstract

A novel CdSe/NiO heteroarchitecture was designed, prepared, and used as a photocathode for hydrogen generation from water. The composite films were structurally, optically, and photoelectrochemically characterized. The deposition of CdSe on the NiO film enhanced light harvesting in the visible-light region and photoelectrochemical properties. Moreover, the CdSe/NiO photoelectrode showed superior stability both in nitrogen-saturated and air-saturated neutral environments. The CdSe/NiO photoelectrode after MoS2 modification retained the stability of the CdSe/NiO electrode and exhibited higher photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performances than the unmodified CdSe/NiO electrode. In pH 6 buffer solution, an average hydrogen-evolution rate of 0.52 μmol h(-1) cm(-2) at -0.131 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) was achieved on a MoS2 /CdSe/NiO photocathode, with almost 100 % faradaic efficiency.

CdSe Quantum Dots Doped WS2 Nanoflowers for Enhanced Solar Hydrogen Production

“…The performance can be improved by combining CdSe QDs with TMDs and other compounds. For example, Dong et al added MoS 2 to CdSe/NiO photoelectrodes to increase their stability and PEC performance. As a result, a hydrogen evolution rate improvement of 0.52 µmol h −1 cm −2 at −0.131 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was achieved by the MoS 2 /CdSe/NiO photocathode.…”

Progress in Developing Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…However, the large bandgap (3.4 eV) of NiO significantly limits its efficiency for light absorption. Sensitization with dye or quantum dots has been commonly used as a strategy to improve the efficiency of NiO for PEC water reduction . For example, Li et al designed a p ‐type nanostructure NiO photocathode modified with both organic dye (P1) sensitizer and cobalt catalyst (Co1) for solar‐assisted hydrogen generation ( Figure 13 a).…”

Rational design of photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting and CO2 reduction

“…Suzuki et al deposited CdS (bandgap ~2.3 eV) nanoparticles on p-NiO as photosensitizer, which greatly enhanced the visible light absorption [64]. In another work, CdSe (bandgap ~1.74 eV) was used as photosensitizer for p-NiO [67]. Introducing organic dye onto p-NiO photocathode has been a popular practice in dye sensitize solar cell research [68].…”