Strategies for stable water splitting via protected photoelectrodes

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar-fuel conversion is a promising approach to provide clean and storable fuel (e.g., hydrogen and methanol) directly from sunlight, water and CO . However, major challenges still have to be overcome before commercialization can be achieved. One of the largest barriers t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical Society reviews 2017-04, Vol.46 (7), p.1933-1954
Main Authors: Bae, Dowon, Seger, Brian, Vesborg, Peter C K, Hansen, Ole, Chorkendorff, Ib
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Charge transfer
Methyl alcohol
Photocathodes
Reduction
Semiconductors
Strategy
Sunlight
Water splitting
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Summary:Photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar-fuel conversion is a promising approach to provide clean and storable fuel (e.g., hydrogen and methanol) directly from sunlight, water and CO . However, major challenges still have to be overcome before commercialization can be achieved. One of the largest barriers to overcome is to achieve a stable PEC reaction in either strongly basic or acidic electrolytes without degradation of the semiconductor photoelectrodes. In this work, we discuss fundamental aspects of protection strategies for achieving stable solid/liquid interfaces. We then analyse the charge transfer mechanism through the protection layers for both photoanodes and photocathodes. In addition, we review protection layer approaches and their stabilities for a wide variety of experimental photoelectrodes for water reduction. Finally, we discuss key aspects which should be addressed in continued work on realizing stable and practical PEC solar water splitting systems.
ISSN:0306-0012
1460-4744
DOI:10.1039/c6cs00918b