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Efficient Water Splitting Cascade Photoanodes with Ligand-Engineered MnO Cocatalysts
Mi Gyoung Lee1, Kyoungsuk Jin1, Ki Chang Kwon1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University Seoul 08826 Republic of Korea.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Ligand engineering of manganese oxide nanoparticles on bismuth vanadate anodes significantly boosts solar water splitting efficiency. This surface modification enhances photocurrent density by altering semiconductor band edge positions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Semiconductor band edge positions are critical for solar water splitting functionality.
- Ligand exchange is a known method for modifying semiconductor band structures, but its impact on water splitting efficiency requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate ligand-engineered manganese oxide cocatalyst nanoparticles (MnO NPs) on bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) anodes.
- To investigate the effect of ligand engineering on the band edge positions and water splitting efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ligand-engineered MnO NPs on BiVO4 anodes.
- Electrochemical measurements to assess photocurrent density.
- Spectroscopic analysis to understand surface modification and band edge shifts.
Main Results:
- Achieved a photocurrent density of 6.25 mA cm-2, representing 85% of the theoretical maximum for BiVO4.
- Demonstrated substantial shifts in band edge energies due to ligand engineering.
- Established a clear relationship between surface modification, band edge positions, and water oxidation performance.
Conclusions:
- Ligand engineering of MnO NPs on BiVO4 anodes is a viable strategy for enhancing solar water splitting.
- The observed improvements are attributed to induced dipoles at the ligand/MnO interface and intrinsic ligand dipoles.
- This approach offers significant potential for developing efficient new solar water splitting systems.
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