Optimization and Stabilization of Electrodeposited Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub> Photocathodes for Solar Water Reduction

Rovelli, Lorenzo; Tilley, S. David; Sivula, Kevin

doi:10.1021/am402096r

Cited by 147 publications

(140 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…It also should be noted that p-type Cu2ZnSnS4, which has a kesterite structure, has been investigated as a photocathode, and shows photocurrent values comparable to those of chalcopyrite materials [50][51][52]. This material is attractive in that it is made of Earth-abundant and low-toxicity elements.…”

Section: Hydrogen Evolution From Water Using Copper Chalcopyrite Photmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chalcopyrite Thin Film Materials for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Sunlight

2015

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Abstract:Copper chalcopyrite is a promising candidate for a photocathode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting because of its high half-cell solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency (HC-STH), relatively simple and low-cost preparation process, and chemical stability. This paper reviews recent advances in copper chalcopyrite photocathodes. The PEC properties of copper chalcopyrite photocathodes have improved fairly rapidly: HC-STH values of 0.25% and 8.5% in 2012 and 2015, respectively. On the other hand, the onset potential remains insufficient, owing to the shallow valence band maximum mainly consisting of Cu 3d orbitals. In order to improve the onset potential, we explored substituting Cu for Ag and investigate the PEC properties of silver gallium selenide (AGSe) thin film photocathodes for varying compositions, film growth atmospheres, and surfaces. The modified AGSe photocathodes showed a higher onset potential than copper chalcopyrite photocathodes. It was demonstrated that element substitution of copper chalcopyrite can help to achieve more efficient PEC water splitting.

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Section: Hydrogen Evolution From Water Using Copper Chalcopyrite Photmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chalcopyrite Thin Film Materials for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Sunlight

2015

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“…31,32,[41][42][43][44][45] In particular, the rational design of passivation layers for photoelectrodes has attracted much interest recently due to the following advantages of this strategy:…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance of semiconductors by surface passivation layers

Zheng

Spurgeon

et al. 2014

Energy Environ. Sci.

542

439

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An important approach for solving the world's sustainable energy challenges is the conversion of solar energy to chemical fuels. Semiconductors can be used to convert/store solar energy to chemical bonds in an energy-dense fuel. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting cells, with semiconductor electrodes, use sunlight and water to generate hydrogen. Herein, recent studies on improving the efficiency of semiconductor-based solar water-splitting devices by the introduction of surface passivation layers are reviewed. We show that passivation layers have been used as an effective strategy to improve the charge-separation and transfer processes across semiconductor-liquid interfaces, and thereby increase overall solar energy conversion efficiencies. We also summarize the demonstrated passivation effects brought by these thin layers, which include reducing charge recombination at surface states, increasing the reaction kinetics, and protecting the semiconductor from chemical corrosion.These benefits of passivation layers play a crucial role in achieving highly efficient water-splitting devices in the near future. Broader contextSemiconductor interface is one of the most important components/regions in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices. The serious surface charge recombination, slow charge transfer kinetics and the poor photoelectrochemical stability are the three main challenges for the practical PEC water splitting devices. Recently, the studies of constructing passivation layer onto the semiconductor to address these challenges have attracted increasing research attentions, due to the potential application of solar to chemical energy conversion. When these layers incorporated onto semiconductor surface, signicant changes of the interface would be found including charge transfer improvement, surface charge recombination, and chemical corrosion, etc. Although various strategies have been suggested for this surface modication, a synergetic effect must be achieved on an advanced photoelectrodes accounting for the improved solar-tohydrogen efficiencies. This review will shed light on the recent PEC water splitting work surface state passivation, corrosion retardation and charge transfer improvement in this passivation layer.

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“…The principal drawback of this deposit was its poor adhesion to the substrate both molybdenum and ITO/PET. This finding is not a novelty, because it was recently evidenced by other authors [35,36], who invoked the poor adhesion of the deposit to substrate to justify the scarce composition reproducibility. Really, these are the same difficulties encountered in this study, even if it must be emphasized that, in our case, reproducibility improved with the change of bath composition, indicating that the main problem is the nature and concentration of the solution controlling the deposit composition.…”

Section: Electroplating Of Nanostructures 250mentioning

confidence: 67%

One-Step Electrodeposition of CZTS for Solar Cell Absorber Layer

Farinella¹,

Livreri²,

Piazza³

et al. 2015

Electroplating of Nanostructures

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CZTS thin films were obtained by one-step electrochemical deposition from aqueous solution at room temperature. Films were deposited on two different substrates, ITO on PET, and electropolished Mo. Differently from previous studies focusing exclusively on the formation of kesterite (Cu 4 ZnSnS 4 ), here, the synthesis of a phase with this exact composition was not considered as the unique objective. Really, starting from different baths, amorphous semiconducting layers containing copper-zinc-tinsulphur with atomic fraction Cu 0.592 Zn 0.124 Sn 0.063 S 0.221 and Cu 0.415 Zn 0.061 Sn 0.349 S 0.175 , were potentiostatically deposited. Due to the amorphous nature, it was not possible to detect if one or more phases were formed. By photoelectrochemical measurements, we evaluated optical gap values between 1.5 eV, similar to that assigned to kesterite, and 1.0 eV. Reproducibility and adhesion to the substrate were solved by changing S with Se. Preliminary results showed that an amorphous p-type layer, having atomic fraction Cu 0.434 Zn 0.036 Sn 0.138 Se 0.392 and an optical gap of 1.33 eV, can be obtained by one-step electrochemical deposition.

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Optimization and Stabilization of Electrodeposited Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Photocathodes for Solar Water Reduction

Cited by 147 publications

References 34 publications

Chalcopyrite Thin Film Materials for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Sunlight

Chalcopyrite Thin Film Materials for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Sunlight

Enhanced photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance of semiconductors by surface passivation layers

One-Step Electrodeposition of CZTS for Solar Cell Absorber Layer

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Optimization and Stabilization of Electrodeposited Cu2ZnSnS4 Photocathodes for Solar Water Reduction

Cited by 147 publications

References 34 publications

Chalcopyrite Thin Film Materials for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Sunlight

Chalcopyrite Thin Film Materials for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water under Sunlight

Enhanced photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance of semiconductors by surface passivation layers

One-Step Electrodeposition of CZTS for Solar Cell Absorber Layer

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Optimization and Stabilization of Electrodeposited Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Photocathodes for Solar Water Reduction