Nanocarbon-Enhanced 2D Photoelectrodes: A New Paradigm in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

• Published in: Nano-micro letters 2021-01, Vol.13 (1), p.24-24, Article 24
• Main Authors: Ke, Jun, He, Fan, Wu, Hui, Lyu, Siliu, Liu, Jie, Yang, Bin, Li, Zhongjian, Zhang, Qinghua, Chen, Jian, Lei, Lecheng, Hou, Yang, Ostrikov, Kostya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D layered structure; Advanced nanocarbons; Assembling; Bismuth; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Carbon nitride; Catalysts; Chemical energy; Chemical evolution; Clean energy; Co-catalysts; Configuration management; Current carriers; Engineering; Graphene; Harvesters; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Hydroxides; Integrated photoelectrodes; Interlayers; Maximization; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Optimization; Photocathodes; Photoelectrochemical water splitting; Redox reactions; Review; Solar energy; Solar energy conversion; Transition metal compounds; Water splitting
• ISSN: 2311-6706; 2150-5551
• DOI: 10.1007/s40820-020-00545-8

Highlights Layered integrated photoelectrodes for water splitting incorporating nanocarbon co-catalysts are systematically reviewed. The correlations between intrinsic structures, optimized configurations, and water splitting performances of layered integrated photoelectrodes are established and analyzed. Various synthetic strategies and assembling procedures are critically examined to enhance water splitting performance of layered integrated photoelectrodes. Current challenges and future directions for maximizing the efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting are outlined. Solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting systems are highly promising for converting solar energy into clean and sustainable chemical energy. In such PEC systems, an integrated photoelectrode incorporates a light harvester for absorbing solar energy, an interlayer for transporting photogenerated charge carriers, and a co-catalyst for triggering redox reactions. Thus, understanding the correlations between the intrinsic structural properties and functions of the photoelectrodes is crucial. Here we critically examine various 2D layered photoanodes/photocathodes, including graphitic carbon nitrides, transition metal dichalcogenides, layered double hydroxides, layered bismuth oxyhalide nanosheets, and MXenes, combined with advanced nanocarbons (carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and graphdiyne) as co-catalysts to assemble integrated photoelectrodes for oxygen evolution/hydrogen evolution reactions. The fundamental principles of PEC water splitting and physicochemical properties of photoelectrodes and the associated catalytic reactions are analyzed. Elaborate strategies for the assembly of 2D photoelectrodes with nanocarbons to enhance the PEC performances are introduced. The mechanisms of interplay of 2D photoelectrodes and nanocarbon co-catalysts are further discussed. The challenges and opportunities in the field are identified to guide future research for maximizing the conversion efficiency of PEC water splitting.