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Oxysulfide photocatalyst for visible-light-driven overall water splitting
Qian Wang1,2, Mamiko Nakabayashi3, Takashi Hisatomi4
1Department of Chemical System Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Nature Materials
|June 19, 2019
Summary
Researchers activated Y2Ti2O5S2 oxysulfide for overall water splitting, achieving simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen production. This discovery advances solar hydrogen production using visible-light photocatalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Oxysulfide semiconductors possess narrow bandgaps ideal for visible-light water splitting.
- Instability of sulfide ions during water oxidation hinders simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To activate and stabilize Y2Ti2O5S2 as a photocatalyst for overall water splitting.
- To achieve stoichiometric production of hydrogen and oxygen using Y2Ti2O5S2.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Y2Ti2O5S2 with a 1.9 eV bandgap.
- Incorporated IrO2 and Rh/Cr2O3 as co-catalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution, respectively.
- Optimized reaction conditions for sustained photocatalysis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful activation and stabilization of Y2Ti2O5S2.
- Achieved simultaneous stoichiometric production of hydrogen and oxygen over a 20-hour period.
- Confirmed the material's efficacy as a photocatalyst for overall water splitting.
Conclusions:
- Y2Ti2O5S2 is a viable photocatalyst for overall water splitting.
- This finding expands the scope of materials for efficient solar hydrogen production.
- The stabilization of sulfide ions is key for practical applications.
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