High-performance and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting cell with organic-photoactive-layer-based photoanode

Abstract

Considering their superior charge-transfer characteristics, easy tenability of energy levels, and low production cost, organic semiconductors are ideal for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production. However, organic-semiconductor-based photoelectrodes have not been extensively explored for PEC water-splitting because of their low stability in water. Herein, we report high-performance and stable organic-semiconductors photoanodes consisting of p-type polymers and n-type non-fullerene materials, which is passivated using nickel foils, GaIn eutectic, and layered double hydroxides as model materials. We achieve a photocurrent density of 15.1 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with an onset potential of 0.55 V vs. RHE and a record high half-cell solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 4.33% under AM 1.5 G solar simulated light. After conducting the stability test at 1.3 V vs. RHE for 10 h, 90% of the initial photocurrent density are retained, whereas the photoactive layer without passivation lost its activity within a few minutes.

Broadband Tamm Plasmons in Chirped Photonic Crystals for Light-Induced Water Splitting

“…An important characteristic in the estimation of the absorption properties is the integral absorption, which is the absorption in the absorbing layer normalized to the solar radiation spectrum [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. where and are the boundaries of the spectral region, is the absorption of the structure, which can be determined through the transmission and reflection coefficients of the structure [ 31 , 32 ], and is the solar radiation spectra (AM1.5). In the structure under study, the incident light trapped between the TiN/semiconductor interface is mainly absorbed by the metallic film and facilitates the hot-electron generation.…”

“…The overall solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency is given by [ 32 ]: where is usually taken to be 1.23 V (at room temperature), based on Gibbs free energy change for water splitting of 237 kJ/mol and is the bias voltage. In the case of zero bias voltage, .…”

Porous framework-based hybrid materials for solar-to-chemical energy conversion: from powder photocatalysts to photoelectrodes

“…170 Compared with MOFs, however, COFs have been less explored in artificial photosynthesis, probably due to their strong hydrophobicity 171 and stability concerns, 172 because solar-to-chemical energy conversion is frequently carried out in aqueous solution and solar UV irradiation can readily degrade organic components. 173 3.1.1 Simple COFs. COFs are emerging as promising photosensitizers for solar-to-chemical energy conversion due to their excellent photochemical properties.…”

Organic Semiconductors as Photoanodes for Solar-driven Photoelectrochemical Fuel Production

“…However, results from these buried junction devices can also be impressive. Indeed, Jang and coworkers [100] used a BHJ donor:acceptor blend in a fully functional OPV protected with overlayers and liquid metal eutectic interlayers, and demonstrated a stability for over 10 hours with about 10% loss in J ph when using a Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide OERC. A few other noteworthy publications also try other variations using similar metal-based and metal free OSCs but are not elaborated in this article due to poor stability, performance, oxygen evolution.…”