A Bismuth Vanadate–Cuprous Oxide Tandem Cell for Overall Solar Water Splitting
Through examination of the optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical properties of BiVO4 and Cu2O photoelectrodes, we evaluate the feasibility of a BiVO4/Cu2O photoanode/photocathode tandem cell for overall unassisted solar water splitting. Using state-of-the-art photoelectrodes we identify current-ma...
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Published in | Journal of physical chemistry. C Vol. 118; no. 30; pp. 16959 - 16966 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
American Chemical Society
31.07.2014
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Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Through examination of the optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical properties of BiVO4 and Cu2O photoelectrodes, we evaluate the feasibility of a BiVO4/Cu2O photoanode/photocathode tandem cell for overall unassisted solar water splitting. Using state-of-the-art photoelectrodes we identify current-matching conditions by altering the photoanode active layer thickness. By further employing water oxidation and reduction catalysts (Co-Pi and RuO x , respectively) together with an operating point analysis, we show that an unassisted solar photocurrent density on the order of 1 mA cm–2 is possible in a tandem cell and moreover gain insight into routes for improvement. Finally, we demonstrate the unassisted 2-electrode operation of the tandem cell. Photocurrents corresponding to ca. 0.5% solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency were found to decay over the course of minutes because of the detachment of the Co-Pi catalyst. This aspect provides a fundamental challenge to the stable operation of the tandem cell with the currently employed catalysts. |
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ISSN: | 1932-7447 1932-7455 |
DOI: | 10.1021/jp500441h |