Design and characterization of a robust photoelectrochemical device to generate hydrogen using solar water splitting

Kelly, Nelson A.; Gibson, Thomas L.

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2005.12.014

Cited by 123 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Although highly efficient, high costs are associated with the GaInP 2 ∕GaAs tandem cell and the catalysts and device stability is poor (52). Though less efficient (2.5-8% hydrogen production efficiency), Si-based tandem cell concepts (33,(53)(54)(55)(56) have promise of lower cost. These tandem cells typically consist of a stack of amorphous Si and Si-Ge alloys that are operated in basic electrolyte (pH > 13).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The integration of np-Si junctions with water splitting has the potential to significantly reduce current costs of solar energy conversion by potentially reducing the balance of system costs attendant to separate devices for solar capture/conversion and storage (28)(29)(30). Such an approach is particularly well suited for smallscale solar-to-fuel devices, which have enormous potential for decentralized power generation and storage, particularly in developing economies (31).The realization of Si-based, direct solar-to-fuel devices hinges on overcoming the inherent photoelectrochemical instability of Si in the presence of the highly oxidizing conditions of water splitting (32,33). We now show that Si surfaces can be effectively protected from photoinstability at neutral pH with thin layers of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and that the passivated np-Si junction can function as efficient photoassisted anodes for the water oxidation when integrated with the Co-Pi catalyst.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The realization of Si-based, direct solar-to-fuel devices hinges on overcoming the inherent photoelectrochemical instability of Si in the presence of the highly oxidizing conditions of water splitting (32,33). We now show that Si surfaces can be effectively protected from photoinstability at neutral pH with thin layers of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and that the passivated np-Si junction can function as efficient photoassisted anodes for the water oxidation when integrated with the Co-Pi catalyst.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Light-induced water oxidation at silicon electrodes functionalized with a cobalt oxygen-evolving catalyst

Pijpers

Winkler

Surendranath³

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

200

194

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Integrating a silicon solar cell with a recently developed cobaltbased water-splitting catalyst (Co-Pi) yields a robust, monolithic, photo-assisted anode for the solar fuels process of water splitting to O 2 at neutral pH. Deposition of the Co-Pi catalyst on the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)-passivated p-side of a np-Si junction enables the majority of the voltage generated by the solar cell to be utilized for driving the water-splitting reaction. Operation under neutral pH conditions fosters enhanced stability of the anode as compared to operation under alkaline conditions (pH 14) for which long-term stability is much more problematic. This demonstration of a simple, robust construct for photo-assisted water splitting is an important step towards the development of inexpensive direct solar-to-fuel energy conversion technologies.photoelectrochemical | hydrogen | solar energy | storage P hotosynthetic organisms convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy by splitting water, producing molecular oxygen and hydrogen equivalents in the highly conserved enzyme complex photosystem II (PSII) (1). Absorbed photons are transferred to the reaction center of PSII, where a single electron/hole charge separation occurs. The oxidative power of the photo-produced hole in PSII is transferred to the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) where water splitting occurs. The electron is transferred to the adjacent photosystem I (PSI), where it participates in the reduction reaction of NAD þ into NADH, which is ultimately used to fix CO 2 . Crucial in the above configuration is the separation of the functions of light collection and conversion from catalysis. Whereas light collection/conversion generates electron/ hole pairs one at a time, water splitting is a four-electron/hole process (2, 3). Hence, the multielectron catalysts of PSII and PSI, positioned at the terminus of the photosynthetic charge-separating network, are compulsory so that the one photon-one-electron/ hole "wireless current" can be bridged to the four-electron/hole chemistry of water splitting.An artificial photosynthesis can be designed if the one-electron/hole wireless current of a semiconductor can be integrated directly with catalysts to perform the four-electron-four proton catalysis of water splitting. To this end, an important recent advance has been the creation of a cobalt-phosphate (Co-Pi) catalyst (4, 5) that captures the functional elements of the OEC of PSII (6). As in PSII OEC, the Co-Pi catalyst self-assembles upon oxidation of an earth-abundant metal [Co 2þ for Co-Pi vs. Mn 2þ for OEC (7-9)] in phosphate-buffered solutions at neutral pH (4, 10), exhibits high activity in natural water and sea water at room temperature (11), activates water by proton-coupled electron transfer (3) [as does the OEC of PSII (12, 13)], and is self-healing (14) [as is PSII (15-18)]. Moreover, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) studies (19,20) have established that the Co-Pi catalyst is a structural relative of PSII OEC. PSII OEC is a Mn 3 CaO 4 -Mn cubane (21) where the fourth M...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Light-induced water oxidation at silicon electrodes functionalized with a cobalt oxygen-evolving catalyst

Pijpers

Winkler

Surendranath³

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

200

194

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…46 Monolithic architectures using multijunction amorphous silicon (a-Si) were also explored with reported STH conversion efficiencies in the 2-3% range. [46][47][48][49] Starting in the late 1990s high-efficiency approaches based on all III-V and Si/III-V 2J monolithic architectures were developed. Fig.…”

Section: History Of Solar-driven Photoelectrochemical (Pec) Water Splmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental demonstrations of spontaneous, solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting

Ager

Shaner

Walczak

et al. 2015

Energy Environ. Sci.

555

456

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“…2) in which the assembly is submerged and illuminated. This type of setup has been used to demonstrate the working of both wired and wireless cells (Reece et al, 2011;Kelly and Gibson, 2006). Obviously, this design is less convenient for reaction product quantification and it is often used for demonstration purposes only.…”

Section: Single Compartment Experimental Pec Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of Compact Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting

Bosserez

Rongé

Humbeeck

et al. 2015

Oil Gas Sci. Technol. – Rev. IFP Energies nouvelles

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-Solar driven water splitting can be achieved by coupling electrolyzers with PhotoVoltaics (PV). Integration of both functions in a compact PhotoElectroChemical (PEC) cell is an attractive option but presents significant scientific challenges. In this work, the design of single-and dualcompartment PEC cells for research purposes is discussed. The fabrication of separator-electrode assemblies is an important aspect, and upscaling of these architectures even to centimeter scale is not trivial. The layout of a new dual-compartment compact PEC cell with in-situ monitoring of pH, temperatures, and oxygen and hydrogen evolution for research purposes is presented. Finally, a prospect of future PEC cells for practical applications is presented.Résumé -Conception de cellules photoélectrochimiques compactes pour la décomposition de l'eau -La décomposition de l'eau en utilisant la lumière du soleil s'effectue par couplage d'un électrolyseur aux cellules PhotoVoltaïques (PV). L'intégration des deux fonctions dans une seule cellule PhotoElectroChimique (PEC) compacte est envisagée, mais présente un très grand défi scientifique. Cet article traite la conception des cellules PEC de recherche avec ou sans compartimentation. L'assemblage de séparateurs et d'électrodes est un aspect important, et la fabrication de ces architectures, même à l'échelle centimétrique et n'est pas évidente. La disposition d'une nouvelle cellule compacte PEC à deux compartiments permettant de contrôler in situ l'évolution du pH, de la température, et les concentrations d'oxygène et d'hydrogène est présentée. Enfin, une perspective de futures cellules PEC pour des applications pratiques est présentée.

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Design and characterization of a robust photoelectrochemical device to generate hydrogen using solar water splitting

Cited by 123 publications

References 24 publications

Light-induced water oxidation at silicon electrodes functionalized with a cobalt oxygen-evolving catalyst

Light-induced water oxidation at silicon electrodes functionalized with a cobalt oxygen-evolving catalyst

Experimental demonstrations of spontaneous, solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting

Design of Compact Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting

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