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Published May 30, 2014 | Published
Journal Article Open

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

Abstract

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.

Additional Information

© 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Received 8th February 2014. Accepted 30th May 2014. The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Bruce S. Brunschwig from Molecular Materials Research Center in California Institution of Technology for his valuable comments and suggestions to improve the manuscript. This material is based upon work performed by the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, a DOE Energy Innovation Hub, and Xuchang University, as follows: Rui Liu and Joshua Spurgeon are supported through the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy under Award no. DESC0004993; Zhi Zheng and Xiaogang Yang are supported by Henan Province office of education (14B150013), Innovation Scientists and Technicians Troop Construction Projects of Henan Province (Grant no. 144200510014) and National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant no. 21273192.

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