A graded catalytic–protective layer for an efficient and stable water-splitting photocathode

Jing Gu (), Jeffery A. Aguiar, Suzanne Ferrere, K. Xerxes Steirer, Yong Yan, Chuanxiao Xiao, James L. Young, Mowafak Al-Jassim, Nathan R. Neale and John A. Turner ()
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Jing Gu: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Jeffery A. Aguiar: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Suzanne Ferrere: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
K. Xerxes Steirer: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Yong Yan: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Chuanxiao Xiao: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
James L. Young: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Mowafak Al-Jassim: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Nathan R. Neale: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
John A. Turner: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chemistry and Nanoscience Center

Nature Energy, 2017, vol. 2, issue 2, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Achieving solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies above 15% is key for the commercial success of photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices. While tandem cells can reach those efficiencies, increasing the catalytic activity and long-term stability remains a significant challenge. Here we show that annealing a bilayer of amorphous titanium dioxide (TiOx) and molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) deposited onto GaInP2 results in a photocathode with high catalytic activity (current density of 11 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode under 1 sun illumination) and stability (retention of 80% of initial photocurrent density over a 20 h durability test) for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Microscopy and spectroscopy reveal that annealing results in a graded MoSx/MoOx/TiO2 layer that retains much of the high catalytic activity of amorphous MoSx but with stability similar to crystalline MoS2. Our findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing a hybridized, heterogeneous surface layer as a cost-effective catalytic and protective interface for solar hydrogen production.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2016.192

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