Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Interface-Engineered InAlN/Cu2O Photocathode with Accelerated Charge Separation for Boosting Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Zeng, Hui ; Chang, Jui Che ; Qu, Yuanju ; Wang, Weimin LU orcid ; Birch, Jens ; Hsiao, Ching Lien and Sun, Jianwu (2024) In Solar RRL
Abstract

Cu2O has emerged as a promising material for sustainable hydrogen production through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, while inefficient charge separation remains one of the main challenges hindering its development. In this work, a new architecture of InAlN/Cu2O heterojunction photocathode is demonstrated by combining n-type InAlN and p-type Cu2O to improve the charge separation efficiency, thus enhancing PEC water-splitting performance. The Pt/InAlN/Cu2O photoelectrode exhibits a photocurrent density of 2.54 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE), which is 3.21 times higher than that of Cu2O (0.79 mA cm−2 at... (More)

Cu2O has emerged as a promising material for sustainable hydrogen production through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, while inefficient charge separation remains one of the main challenges hindering its development. In this work, a new architecture of InAlN/Cu2O heterojunction photocathode is demonstrated by combining n-type InAlN and p-type Cu2O to improve the charge separation efficiency, thus enhancing PEC water-splitting performance. The Pt/InAlN/Cu2O photoelectrode exhibits a photocurrent density of 2.54 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE), which is 3.21 times higher than that of Cu2O (0.79 mA cm−2 at VRHE). The enhanced PEC performance is explained by the larger built-in potential Vbi of 1.43 V formed at the InAlN/Cu2O p–n junction than that in the single Cu2O photocathode (Vbi < 0.77 V), which improves the separation of the photogenerated carriers and thus relieves the bottlenecks of charge-transfer kinetics at the electrode bulk and electrode/electrolyte interface. In this work, an avenue is opened for designing III-nitrides/Cu2O heterojunction toward solar energy conversion.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
charge transfers, CuO, InAlN, photoelectrochemical water splitting, p–n heterojunction
in
Solar RRL
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85189454759
ISSN
2367-198X
DOI
10.1002/solr.202400094
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bdf96770-1ef4-4e6a-9760-491f6ce7f2c6
date added to LUP
2024-04-23 13:34:57
date last changed
2024-04-23 13:35:24
@article{bdf96770-1ef4-4e6a-9760-491f6ce7f2c6,
  abstract     = {{<p>Cu<sub>2</sub>O has emerged as a promising material for sustainable hydrogen production through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, while inefficient charge separation remains one of the main challenges hindering its development. In this work, a new architecture of InAlN/Cu<sub>2</sub>O heterojunction photocathode is demonstrated by combining n-type InAlN and p-type Cu<sub>2</sub>O to improve the charge separation efficiency, thus enhancing PEC water-splitting performance. The Pt/InAlN/Cu<sub>2</sub>O photoelectrode exhibits a photocurrent density of 2.54 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (V<sub>RHE</sub>), which is 3.21 times higher than that of Cu<sub>2</sub>O (0.79 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> at V<sub>RHE</sub>). The enhanced PEC performance is explained by the larger built-in potential V<sub>bi</sub> of 1.43 V formed at the InAlN/Cu<sub>2</sub>O p–n junction than that in the single Cu<sub>2</sub>O photocathode (V<sub>bi</sub> &lt; 0.77 V), which improves the separation of the photogenerated carriers and thus relieves the bottlenecks of charge-transfer kinetics at the electrode bulk and electrode/electrolyte interface. In this work, an avenue is opened for designing III-nitrides/Cu<sub>2</sub>O heterojunction toward solar energy conversion.</p>}},
  author       = {{Zeng, Hui and Chang, Jui Che and Qu, Yuanju and Wang, Weimin and Birch, Jens and Hsiao, Ching Lien and Sun, Jianwu}},
  issn         = {{2367-198X}},
  keywords     = {{charge transfers; CuO; InAlN; photoelectrochemical water splitting; p–n heterojunction}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Solar RRL}},
  title        = {{Interface-Engineered InAlN/Cu<sub>2</sub>O Photocathode with Accelerated Charge Separation for Boosting Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/solr.202400094}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/solr.202400094}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}