Periodic FTO IOs/CdS NRs/CdSe Clusters with Superior Light Scattering Ability for Improved Photoelectrochemical Performance

Metal chalcogenide nanomaterials have gained widespread interest in the past two decades for their potential optoelectronic, energy, and catalytic applications. The colloidal growth of various forms of these materials, such as nanowires, platelets, and lamellar assemblies, proceeds through certain thermodynamically stable, ultrasmall (<2 nm) intermediates called magic‐sized nanoclusters (MSCs). Due to quantum confinement and its resultant intriguing properties, isolation or direct synthesis of MSCs and their structure characterization, which is very much challenging, are current topics of fundamental and applied scientific research. By comprehensive understanding of the structure–activity relationships in MSCs, the nucleation and growth processes can be manipulated, resulting in the synthesis of novel metal chalcogenide materials for various applications. This review focuses on recent advances in the chemical synthesis, characterization, and theoretical calculations of CdSe and its related II–VI nanoclusters. It highlights the studies of photophysical and magneto‐optical properties as well as heteroatom doping of MSCs followed by their chemical transformation to high‐dimensional nanostructures. At the end of the review, future directions and possible ways to overcome the challenges in the research of semiconductor MSCs are also presented.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magic‐Sized Stoichiometric II–VI Nanoclusters

Bootharaju

Baek

Lee

et al. 2020

“…[85,86] Till date, several attempts have been made to enhance light absorption in various nanoarray structures, and among them the one with the most optimum results are summarized in Figure 2. The introduction of multiple light scattering, [87][88][89][90] antireflection, [91][92][93][94] slow light effect, [95,96] surface plasmon resonance (SPR), [97][98][99] bandgap narrowing, [69,100] and photosensitization, [101][102][103] can increase the light absorption intensity as well as extend the spectral range of the nanoarray structures. Furthermore, the hybrid structures combining more than one light management strategies have successfully achieved synergetic effects in light absorption.…”

Section: Light Absorptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoarray Structures for Artificial Photosynthesis

Tian

Zhao

et al. 2021

Conversion and storage of solar energy into fuels and chemicals by artificial photosynthesis has been considered as one of the promising methods to address the global energy crisis. However, it is still far from the practical applications on a large scale. Nanoarray structures that combine the advantages of nanosize and array alignment have demonstrated great potential to improve solar energy conversion efficiency, stability, and selectivity. This article provides a comprehensive review on the utilization of nanoarray structures in artificial photosynthesis of renewable fuels and high value‐added chemicals. First, basic principles of solar energy conversion and superiorities of using nanoarray structures in this field are described. Recent research progress on nanoarray structures in both abiotic and abiotic–biotic hybrid systems is then outlined, highlighting contributions to light absorption, charge transport and transfer, and catalytic reactions (including kinetics and selectivity). Finally, conclusions and outlooks on future research directions of nanoarray structures for artificial photosynthesis are presented.

“…[14][15][16] Particularly, in the case of a film type, PEC performance is limited due to low light scattering and surface area, while thickness is an issue regarding the absorption and separation efficiencies. [17][18][19] In this study, a high-performance photoanode based on 3D periodic, micropillar-structured fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO-MP) deposited with BiVO 4 is fabricated using the patterned FTO by direct printing and spray pyrolysis, followed by the deposition of BiVO 4 by sputtering and V ion heattreatment on the patterned FTO. The FTO-MP enables light scattering owing to its 3D periodic structure and increases the light absorption efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Periodic Micropillar‐Patterned FTO/BiVO₄ with Superior Light Absorption and Separation Efficiency for Efficient PEC Performance

Ju¹,

Ho-jung²,

Jun³

et al. 2021

In this study, a high‐performance photoanode based on 3D periodic, micropillar‐structured fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO‐MP) deposited with BiVO4 is fabricated using the patterned FTO by direct printing and spray pyrolysis, followed by the deposition of BiVO4 by sputtering and V ion heat‐treatment on the patterned FTO. The FTO‐MP enables light scattering owing to its 3D periodic structure and increases the light absorption efficiency. In addition, the high electron mobility of FTO and enlarged surface area of FTO‐MP enhance the separation efficiency. Due to the combination of these enhancing strategies, the photocurrent density of micropillar‐patterned BiVO4 at 1.23 VRHE reached 2.97 mA cm−2, which is 67.8% higher than that of flat BiVO4. The results suggest that the efficiency can increase significantly using the patterned FTO fabricated by an inexpensive and simple process (i.e., direct printing and spray pyrolysis), thereby indicating a new strategy for the enhancement of efficiency in various energy fields.