Augmented Z scheme blueprint for efficient solar water splitting system using quaternary chalcogenide absorber material

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical hydrogen (H₂) production from water is a key method of addressing energy needs using an environmentally friendly approach. In the last two decades we have witnessed the evolution of many different expensive catalysts, photoelectrodes and related technologies, especially those involving precious metals and use of acidic or basic electrolytes for hydrogen production. Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) is a relatively new candidate in the category of efficient photocathodes, due to its high absorption coefficient and near optimal energy band gap. In this paper, we demonstrate photoelectrochemical viability of CZTS in combination with other photoanodes such as TiO₂, BiVO₄, and WO₃ for H₂ production with the use of an electrolyte of near neutral pH, a single redox mediator, and insignificant potential biasing. A systematic study was performed to understand CZTS performance with each photoanode, band energetics of CZTS with other photoanodes, impedance behavior of each photoelectrode, and utility of a CZTS photocell in place of a CZTS photocathode. Our assessment indicates that a protected CZTS photocell performs well when used in a Z-scheme containing TiO₂ nanotubular array-CZTS or nanocrystalline WO₃–CZTS. Preliminary experiments indicated that apart from band energetics, porosity and effective surface area of the photoanodes play a crucial role in determining the photoelectrochemical performance of the system.