Metal chalcogenide-based photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting

摘要

Photoelectrochemical water splitting(PEC-WS)is a promising technique for transforming solar energy into storable and environmentally friendly chemical energy.Designing semiconductor photoelectrodes with high light absorption capability,rapid e-/h+separation and transfer,and sufficient chemical stability is vital for developing an efficient PEC-WS system.Metal chalcogenides(MCs)have emerged as promising candidates for light absorbers because of their unique electrical and optical characteristics.In this review,we present recent developments in hydrogen generation via PEC-WS using MC-based photoelectrodes.First,we present a simple illustration of PEC-WS fundamentals.Second,the current performance of various metal(mono-,di-,and tri-)chalcogenide/semiconductor photoelectrodes in PEC-WS is summarized.Then,the charge transfer mechanism at the MC/semiconductor interface and the PEC-WS mechanism is thoroughly explained.Finally,we discuss future research perspectives toward developing efficient and stable MC/semiconductor photoelectrodes.