Optimized photoelectrochemical tandem cell for solar water splitting

Mitigating voltage losses in photoelectrochemical cell scale-up

“…Most reported devices have an area of smaller than 1 cm 2 , and only a handful demonstrated areas larger than 10 cm 2 . 2,[19][20][21][22][23] Moreover, these large-area devices tend to deliver much lower STH efficiency (by up to a factor of $5) as compared to their small-area equivalent. 2 For example, it was recently reported that while small-area (0.24 cm 2 ) BiVO 4 -based tandem device delivers STH efficiency of $6%, the large-area (50 cm 2 ) equivalent is only capable of delivering an STH efficiency of $2%.…”

Hydrogen Production by Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Among them, the nitrogen doped TiO 2 have gotten a special attention [25]. Very recently, the improved charge injection efficiency and stability as well as enhanced solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency was reported with the progress of structural qualities [26,27].…”

“…In addition, superposed PEC/ PV materials having a different band gap allow the enhanced absorption of light. At this time, the PV cell should be chosen dependent on the actual current and voltage needs of the PEC to secure the efficient operations [37]. The highest solar-to-hydrogen (STH) energy conversion efficiency is observed in tandem PEC/PV system [8].…”

Research advances towards large-scale solar hydrogen production from water

“…challenges in scale-up of PEC water splitting systems. Vilanova et al designed a 50 cm 2tandem photoanode-PV cell using various systematic optimization strategies to improve its overall performance 320. The PEC cell presented highly stable water splitting activity upon continuous operation for 1008 h in 1.0 M KOH under 1000 W m -2 , which was comprised of a 50 cm 2 hematite photoanode prepared by spray pyrolysis, a platinized-Ti mesh as cathode, an 82 ion-exchange membrane and two 50 cm 2 silicon heterojunction solar cells connected in series (Figure 40).…”

“…I -simulated sunlight (1000 W m −2 ); II -front window (synthetic quartz); III -back window (FTO glass); IV -electrolyte outlet; V -electrolyte inlet; VI -Si calibrator used to monitor the solar irradiance reaching the outer surface of the back window; solar irradiance reaching the external surface of the back window monitored over 4 min with the PEC cell operating at 5.4 mA cm −2 with 1.0 M KOH and a feeding flow rate of 0.5 L min −1 . (c) J-V characteristics of 50 cm 2 hematite photoanode and two 50 cm 2 siliconheterojunction solar cells connected in series before and after long-term stability test for 1008 h. Reproduced with permission from Ref 320 ,. copyright (2018) Elsevier Ltd.…”