Surface restoration of polycrystalline Sb2Se3 thin films by conjugated molecules enabling high-performance photocathodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Jeiwan Tan, Wooseok Yang, Hyungsoo Lee, Jaemin Park, Kyungmin Kim, Oliver S. Hutter, Laurie J. Phillips, Sanggi Shim, Juwon Yun, Youngsun Park, Jeongyoub Lee, Jonathan D. Major, Jooho Moon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)
49 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Achieving both high onset potential and photocurrent in photoelectrodes is a key challenge while performing unassisted overall water splitting using tandem devices. We propose a simple interface modification strategy to maximize the performance of polycrystalline Sb2Se3 photocathodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) modification at Sb2Se3/TiO2 interface enhanced both the onset potential and photocurrent of the Sb2Se3 photocathodes. The surface defects in the polycrystalline Sb2Se3 limited the photovoltage production, lowering the onset potential of the photocathode. Surface restoration using the conjugated PABA molecules efficiently passivated the surface defects on the Sb2Se3 and enabled the rapid photoelectron transport from the Sb2Se3 to the TiO2 layer. The PABA treated Sb2Se3 photocathode exhibited substantially improved PEC performance; the onset potential increased from 0.35 to 0.50 V compared to the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE), and the photocurrent density increased from 24 to 35 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119890
Number of pages11
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume286
Early online date11 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • buried junction
  • conjugated amino acid
  • defect passivation
  • onset potential
  • photocurrent density

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