High-performance and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting cell with organic-photoactive-layer-based photoanode.

ABSTRACT: Considering their superior charge-transfer characteristics, easy tenability of energy levels, and low production cost, organic semiconductors are ideal for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production. However, organic-semiconductor-based photoelectrodes have not been extensively explored for PEC water-splitting because of their low stability in water. Herein, we report high-performance and stable organic-semiconductors photoanodes consisting of p-type polymers and n-type non-fullerene materials, which is passivated using nickel foils, GaIn eutectic, and layered double hydroxides as model materials. We achieve a photocurrent density of 15.1?mA?cm^-2 at 1.23?V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with an onset potential of 0.55?V vs. RHE and a record high half-cell solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 4.33% under AM 1.5?G solar simulated light. After conducting the stability test at 1.3?V vs. RHE for 10?h, 90% of the initial photocurrent density are retained, whereas the photoactive layer without passivation lost its activity within a few minutes.

SUBMITTER: Yu JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7606446 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature