Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization

Abstract The coupling of semiconductor (SC) and transition metal oxyhydroxide (TMOOH) is a promising approach for solar fuel production. However, the inevitable interfacial charge recombination and sluggish oxygen evolution reactions severely hinder the application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) devi...

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Main Authors: Li Xu, Xingming Ning, Jingjing Quan, Chenglong Li, Lan Yao, Qiang Weng, Pei Chen, Zhongwei An, Xinbing Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Advanced Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502384
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author Li Xu
Xingming Ning
Jingjing Quan
Chenglong Li
Lan Yao
Qiang Weng
Pei Chen
Zhongwei An
Xinbing Chen
author_facet Li Xu
Xingming Ning
Jingjing Quan
Chenglong Li
Lan Yao
Qiang Weng
Pei Chen
Zhongwei An
Xinbing Chen
author_sort Li Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The coupling of semiconductor (SC) and transition metal oxyhydroxide (TMOOH) is a promising approach for solar fuel production. However, the inevitable interfacial charge recombination and sluggish oxygen evolution reactions severely hinder the application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) device. This study demonstrates an innovative charge polarization strategy that simultaneously enhances both long‐range charge transfer and surface catalytic reaction dynamics through the rational construction of CoOx/MnOx heterointerface in SC/TMOOH system. Kelvin probe force microscopy, in situ ultraviolet/visible spectroelectrochemistry, and density functional theory calculations indicate that the tunable charge polarization of Coδ− and Mnδ+ can affect influences the SC/TMOOH and TMOOH/electrolyte interfaces, primarily through inducing the accelerated charge transfer dynamics (Kh) and diminishing the adsorption of oxygen‐containing intermediates. As anticipated, the BiVO4/CoOx/MnOx/FeNiOOH exhibits an impressive photocurrent of 6.75 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, along with a superior photostability. Furthermore, the smart approach can also be harnessed in the BiVO4/CoOx/CeOx/FeNiOOH photoanode. This study provides a novel polarization strategy for the design of optimal photoanodes for PEC water splitting.
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issn 2198-3844
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spelling doaj-art-186b4cf00ea2401385fb6b7572b6aa5f2025-08-20T03:36:57ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-07-011226n/an/a10.1002/advs.202502384Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge PolarizationLi Xu0Xingming Ning1Jingjing Quan2Chenglong Li3Lan Yao4Qiang Weng5Pei Chen6Zhongwei An7Xinbing Chen8Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaKey Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry (MOE) Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Energy Technology International Joint Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Photoelectric Materials Science School of Materials Science and Engineering Shaanxi Normal University Xi'an 710119 P. R. ChinaAbstract The coupling of semiconductor (SC) and transition metal oxyhydroxide (TMOOH) is a promising approach for solar fuel production. However, the inevitable interfacial charge recombination and sluggish oxygen evolution reactions severely hinder the application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) device. This study demonstrates an innovative charge polarization strategy that simultaneously enhances both long‐range charge transfer and surface catalytic reaction dynamics through the rational construction of CoOx/MnOx heterointerface in SC/TMOOH system. Kelvin probe force microscopy, in situ ultraviolet/visible spectroelectrochemistry, and density functional theory calculations indicate that the tunable charge polarization of Coδ− and Mnδ+ can affect influences the SC/TMOOH and TMOOH/electrolyte interfaces, primarily through inducing the accelerated charge transfer dynamics (Kh) and diminishing the adsorption of oxygen‐containing intermediates. As anticipated, the BiVO4/CoOx/MnOx/FeNiOOH exhibits an impressive photocurrent of 6.75 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, along with a superior photostability. Furthermore, the smart approach can also be harnessed in the BiVO4/CoOx/CeOx/FeNiOOH photoanode. This study provides a novel polarization strategy for the design of optimal photoanodes for PEC water splitting.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502384charge polarizationcharge transfer dynamicsheterointerfacein situ characterizationphotoelectrochemical water splitting
spellingShingle Li Xu
Xingming Ning
Jingjing Quan
Chenglong Li
Lan Yao
Qiang Weng
Pei Chen
Zhongwei An
Xinbing Chen
Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization
Advanced Science
charge polarization
charge transfer dynamics
heterointerface
in situ characterization
photoelectrochemical water splitting
title Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization
title_full Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization
title_fullStr Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization
title_full_unstemmed Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization
title_short Unlocking the Potential of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting via Heterointerface Charge Polarization
title_sort unlocking the potential of photoelectrochemical water splitting via heterointerface charge polarization
topic charge polarization
charge transfer dynamics
heterointerface
in situ characterization
photoelectrochemical water splitting
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502384
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