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A multifunctional biphasic water splitting catalyst tailored for integration with high-performance semiconductor
Jinhui Yang1,2, Jason K Cooper1,2, Francesca M Toma1,2
1Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Nature Materials
|November 8, 2016
Summary
Engineered nanoscale catalysts using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition boost water splitting for artificial photosynthesis. Cobalt oxide films enhance energy conversion and stability in photoelectrochemical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Artificial photosystems require stable, efficient catalysts for chemical transformations.
- Integrating catalysts on semiconductor light absorbers presents challenges in stability and parasitic light absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer multifunctional, nanoscale catalysts for high-performance photoelectrochemical energy conversion.
- To develop conformal catalytic materials using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition.
Main Methods:
- Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) to create tailored Co3O4/Co(OH)2 thin films.
- Characterization of film properties including catalytic activity, charge transport, and durability.
- Integration of the catalytic films onto photovoltaic p+n-Si junctions.
Main Results:
- The Co3O4/Co(OH)2 films exhibit high activity for water splitting.
- Efficient interfacial charge transport from semiconductor substrates was achieved.
- Enhanced durability of chemically sensitive interfaces was demonstrated.
- Application to crystalline Si photoanodes yielded best reported performance characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Multifunctional nanoscale catalysts can be engineered via PEALD for advanced artificial photosystems.
- Tailored Co3O4/Co(OH)2 films offer a promising solution for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical energy conversion.
- This approach significantly advances the performance of crystalline silicon photoanodes.
