4.7 Article

Active and robust novel bilayer photoanode architectures for hydrogen generation via direct non-electric bias induced photo-electrochemical water splitting

Journal

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
Volume 43, Issue 29, Pages 13158-13176

Publisher

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.05.063

Keywords

Photo-electrochemical water splitting; Tin oxide; Tungsten trioxide; Bilayer structure; Nitrogen doping

Funding

  1. National Science Foundation, CBET [0933141, 1511390]
  2. Edward R. Weidlein Chair Professorship funds
  3. Center for Complex Engineered Multifunctional Materials (CCEMM), Swanson school of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
  4. Directorate For Engineering
  5. Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys [1511390] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
  6. Directorate For Engineering
  7. Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys [0933141] Funding Source: National Science Foundation

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Photo-electrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising and environmentally benign approach for generation of hydrogen using solar energy with minimum greenhouse gas emissions. The development of semiconductor materials for photoanode with superior optoelectronic properties combined with excellent photoelectrochemical activity and stability is vital for the realization of viable commercial development of PEC water splitting systems. Herein, we report for the very first time, the study of nanoscale bilayer architecture of WO3 and Nb and N co-doped SnO2 nanotubes (NTs), wherein WO3 NTs are coated with (Sn0.95Nb0.05)O-2:N-600 (annealed in NH3 at 600 degrees C) layer of different thicknesses, as a potential semiconductor photoanode material for PEC water splitting. An excellent long term photoelectrochemical stability under illumination in the acidic electrolyte solution combined with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency (STH) of similar to 3.83% (under zero applied potential) is obtained for the bilayer NTs, which is the highest STH obtained thus far, to the best of our knowledge compared to the other well studied semiconductor materials, such as TiO2, ZnO and Fe2O3. These promising results demonstrate the excellent potential of bilayer NTs as a viable and promising photoanode in PEC water splitting. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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