Stable Quantum Dot Photoelectrolysis Cell for Unassisted Visible Light Solar Water Splitting
Journal
ACS Nano
Journal Volume
8
Journal Issue
10
Pages
10403-10413
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Sunlight is an ideal source of energy, and converting sunlight into chemical fuels, mimicking what nature does, has attracted significant attention in the past decade. In terms of solar energy conversion into chemical fuels, solar water splitting for hydrogen production is one of the most attractive renewable energy technologies, and this achievement would satisfy our increasing demand for carbon-neutral sustainable energy. Here, we report corrosion-resistant, nanocomposite photoelectrodes for spontaneous overall solar water splitting, consisting of a CdS quantum dot (QD) modified TiO2 photoanode and a CdSe QD modified NiO photocathode, where cadmium chalcogenide QDs are protected by a ZnS passivation layer and gas evolution cocatalysts. The optimized device exhibited a maximum efficiency of 0.17%, comparable to that of natural photosynthesis with excellent photostability under visible light illumination. Our device shows spontaneous overall water splitting in a nonsacrificial environment under visible light illumination (λ > 400 nm) through mimicking natures "Z-scheme" process. The results here also provide a conceptual layout to improve the efficiency of solar-to-fuel conversion, which is solely based on facile, scalable solution-phase techniques. © 2014 American Chemical Society.
Subjects
photoelectrochemical cell; quantum dots; semiconductor; water splitting
SDGs
Other Subjects
Cadmium sulfide; CdS nanoparticles; Corrosion protection; Corrosion resistance; Graphene quantum dots; Hydrogen fuels; Hydrogen production; II-VI semiconductors; Light; Nanocrystals; Nickel oxide; Oxide minerals; Passivation; Photoelectrochemical cells; Selenium compounds; Semiconductor materials; Solar energy; Solar power generation; TiO2 nanoparticles; Titanium dioxide; Wide band gap semiconductors; Zinc sulfide; ZnS nanoparticles; Cadmium chalcogenides; Corrosion-resistant; Maximum Efficiency; Passivation layer; Renewable energy technologies; Solar water splitting; Sustainable energy; Water splitting; Semiconductor quantum dots
Type
journal article