Solar-assisted urea oxidation at silicon photoanodes promoted by an amorphous and optically adaptive Ni–Mo–O catalytic layer

Dabboussi, Joudi; Abdallah, Rawa; Santinacci, Lionel; Zanna, Sandrine; Vacher, Antoine; Dorcet, Vincent; Fryars, Stéphanie; Floner, Didier; Loget, Gabriel

doi:10.1039/d2ta01212j

Cited by 19 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…In this frame, hydrothermal deposition may be useful. 65 Structured surfaces possess high surface defects which often affect the overall efficiency of Si photoelectrodes. Hence, the study of wet defect passivation strategies compatible with operation in aqueous media could be beneficial for increasing the photoelectrode performance.…”

Section: Conclusion and Overview Of Future Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Silicon Photoelectrodes Prepared by Low-Cost Wet Methods for Solar Photoelectrocatalysis

Fabre

Loget

2023

Acc. Mater. Res.

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Conspectus The electrochemical conversion of sunlight by photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) is based on semiconductor electrodes that are interfaced with a liquid electrolyte. This approach is highly promising, first, because it can be employed for the generation of a chemical fuel (e.g., H2) to store solar energy that can be used on-demand to generate electricity when the sun is not available. Second, it can be seen as a concept reminiscent of photosynthesis, where CO2 is converted into a valuable feedstock by solar energy. Thus, photoelectrochemical cells are sometimes referred to as “artificial leaves”. Silicon, being the main semiconductor in the electronics and photovoltaic sector, is a prime candidate to be used as the light absorber and the substrate for building photoelectrochemical cells. However, Si alone has “poor-to-no photoelectrochemical performance”. This is caused by its weak electrocatalytic activity for cathodic reactions (namely, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the CO2 reduction reaction (CDRR), and the N2 reduction reaction) and by its deactivation in the anodic regime, prohibiting its use for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This latter reaction is essential for supplying electrons to generate a solar fuel. Due to these problems, layers that both protect and are catalytically active are typically employed on Si photoelectrodes but require rather sophisticated manufacturing processes (e.g., atomic layer or electron beam deposition), which hinders research and innovation in this field. Nevertheless, our group and others have demonstrated that these layers are not always required and that highly active and stable Si-based photoelectrodes can be manufactured using simple wet processes, such as drop casting, electroless deposition, or aqueous electrodeposition. In this Account, we first introduce the topic and the possible structures that can be easily obtained starting from commercial Si wafers. Then, we discuss strategies that have been employed to manufacture photocathodes based on p-type Si. Among these, we describe Si photocathodes coated with metal, inorganic compounds such as metal sulfides, and more original constructs, such as those based on macromolecules composed of a catalytic Mo3S4 core and a polyoxometallate macrocycle. Also, we discuss the elaboration and the advantages of Si photocathodes obtained by grafting organometallic catalysts which are promising candidates for reaching excellent selectivity for the CDRR. Then, the manufacturing of photoanodes based on n-Si is reviewed with an emphasis on those prepared by electrodeposition of a transition metal such as Ni and Fe. The effect of the catalyst morphology, density, and Si structuration is discussed, and future developments are proposed.

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Section: Conclusion and Overview Of Future Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For that reason, the focus should be placed on alternative strategies allowing the use of thicker and denser coatings. In this frame, hydrothermal deposition may be useful . Structured surfaces possess high surface defects which often affect the overall efficiency of Si photoelectrodes.…”

Section: Conclusion and Overview Of Future Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon Photoelectrodes Prepared by Low-Cost Wet Methods for Solar Photoelectrocatalysis

Fabre

Loget

2023

Acc. Mater. Res.

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“…To demonstrate this, highly active and stable n-Si/SiO x /Ni/NiMoO x photoanodes were developed by Loget and co-workers The n-type Si was sequentially covered with Ni and amorphous NiÀ MoÀ O films. [50] In the absence of urea, the outside-generated NiOOH species brought about a considerable decrease in transmittance to the Si substrate, especially when converting NiMoO x to an absorbing layer in the visible light region. Thus, the opaque NiOOHrich catalytic film decreased the limiting photocurrent density.…”

Section: Photoelectrochemical Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering the thick catalyst layer outside, its optical properties could lead to a decrease in photon flux reaching the photoanode substrate (e. g., PEC‐OER anode), greatly restricting the solar efficacy and photocurrent density. To demonstrate this, highly active and stable n‐Si/SiO x /Ni/NiMoO x photoanodes were developed by Loget and co‐workers The n‐type Si was sequentially covered with Ni and amorphous Ni−Mo−O films [50] . In the absence of urea, the outside‐generated NiOOH species brought about a considerable decrease in transmittance to the Si substrate, especially when converting NiMoO x to an absorbing layer in the visible light region.…”

Section: Photo‐driven Urea Conversion Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar‐Driven Catalytic Urea Oxidation for Environmental Remediation and Energy Recovery

Sun

Zhang

et al. 2022

ChemSusChem

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The water-energy nexus is highly related to sustainable societal development. As one of the most abundant biowastes discharged into the environment, mild abatements and green conversions of urea wastewater have been widely investigated. Due to abundant sources, global distribution, and easy control, light-based catalytic strategies have become alternative on-site treatment approaches. After comprehensively surveying the recent progress, recent achievements of urea oxidation under light irradiation are reviewed herein. Several typical lightpromoted systems employed in urea conversion, including photocatalysis, photo-electrocatalysis, photo-biocatalysis, and photocatalytic fuel cells, are meticulously introduced and discussed, from catalyst designs and medium conditions to established mechanisms. To realize the goal of sustainability, the chemical energy in urea-rich water could be utilized for the value-added production of hydrogen fuel and electricity. Finally, based on current developments, existing challenges are enumerated and developmental prospects in the future of lightdriven urea conversion technologies are proposed.

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“…Nickel-based catalysts, as the most widely studied electrocatalysts, possess the superiorities of low onset potential to 1.5 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), high current density and stability for electrochemical UOR (EC-UOR). [3,5,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Therefore, it has been widely combined as cocatalysts for PEC-UOR. For example, Li et al reported the PEC-UOR process from urine to hydrogen production by using Ni(OH) 2 modified TiO 2 photoanode for the first time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nickel Phosphide Clusters Sensitized TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays as Highly Efficient Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalytic Urea Oxidation

Tao

Wang

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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The photoelectrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction (PEC‐UOR) holds a great promise for the wastewater remediation and energy production. However, the low efficiency of semiconductor/cocatalysts type photoanodes for UOR restricts their applications in photoelectrocatalytic system. Herein, a new semiconductor/cocatalyst, Ni2P clusters sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays photoanode (Ni2P/TiO2‐NTAs) for PEC‐UOR with high efficiency are developed. The 1D TiO2‐NTAs structure accelerates urea molecules diffusion and promotes CO2 gas release at the electrode interface. Meanwhile, Ni2P is also beneficial to urea molecule absorption and CO2 desorption and enable to lower the energy barrier for amine (NH) dehydrogenation. Furthermore, the robust interfacial charge transfer pathway between Ni2P and TiO2 interface promotes the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes and the transfer of photogenerated electrons from Ni2P to TiO2. Therefore, this photoanode shows excellent PEC‐UOR performance with the potential of 1.43 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) when the current density reaches 10 mA cm−2, which is much lower than that of 2.24 V versus RHE and 1.58 V versus RHE for TiO2‐NTAs and Ni(OH)2/TiO2‐NTAs, respectively.

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Solar-assisted urea oxidation at silicon photoanodes promoted by an amorphous and optically adaptive Ni–Mo–O catalytic layer

Abstract: Enabling Si to perform solar photoelectrocatalysis is a tedious task due to its low stability and because it requires interfacial catalytic layers that can impede light absorption. Here, we report...

Cited by 19 publications

References 75 publications

Silicon Photoelectrodes Prepared by Low-Cost Wet Methods for Solar Photoelectrocatalysis

Silicon Photoelectrodes Prepared by Low-Cost Wet Methods for Solar Photoelectrocatalysis

Solar‐Driven Catalytic Urea Oxidation for Environmental Remediation and Energy Recovery

Nickel Phosphide Clusters Sensitized TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays as Highly Efficient Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalytic Urea Oxidation

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Solar-assisted urea oxidation at silicon photoanodes promoted by an amorphous and optically adaptive Ni–Mo–O catalytic layer

Abstract: Enabling Si to perform solar photoelectrocatalysis is a tedious task due to its low stability and because it requires interfacial catalytic layers that can impede light absorption. Here, we report...

Cited by 19 publications

References 75 publications

Silicon Photoelectrodes Prepared by Low-Cost Wet Methods for Solar Photoelectrocatalysis

Silicon Photoelectrodes Prepared by Low-Cost Wet Methods for Solar Photoelectrocatalysis

Solar‐Driven Catalytic Urea Oxidation for Environmental Remediation and Energy Recovery

Nickel Phosphide Clusters Sensitized TiO2 Nanotube Arrays as Highly Efficient Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalytic Urea Oxidation

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Product

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Nickel Phosphide Clusters Sensitized TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays as Highly Efficient Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalytic Urea Oxidation