Efficient Ni(OH)2/WO3 Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting at Low Bias
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-18-2020
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
A low onset potential and a high photocurrent of a photoanode are critical for efficient water splitting and energy saving in photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems. Herein, we report an efficient strategy to achieve a more negative onset potential for PEC water splitting. Namely, Ni(OH)2 was exploited to tune a WO3 photoanode, shifting the onset potential to the negative direction by more than 300 mV under AM 1.5G simulated sunlight, which is better than most reported WO3-based anodes. Consequently, its photocurrent density was greatly enhanced from 0 to 1 mA/cm2 at a low applied potential of 0.2 V vs Ag/AgCl (0.8 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE). The negative shift of the onset potential in PEC water splitting was attributed to the large band bending and efficient charge transfer at the Ni(OH)2/WO3 interface at low bias. Furthermore, Ni(OH)2 can also promote H2O adsorption on the Ni(OH)2/WO3 electrode.
Publication Title
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Recommended Citation
Ma, Y.,
&
Hu, Y.
(2020).
Efficient Ni(OH)2/WO3 Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting at Low Bias.
Journal of Physical Chemistry C,
124(36), 19447-19456.
http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c04900
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/14420
Publisher's Statement
Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c04900