Issue 9, 2019

Integration of electrocatalysts with silicon microcone arrays for minimization of optical and overpotential losses during sunlight-driven hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Microstructured photoelectrode morphologies can advantageously facilitate integration of optically absorbing electrocatalysts with semiconducting light absorbers, to maintain low overpotentials for fuel production without producing a substantial loss in photocurrent density. We report herein the use of arrays of antireflective, high-aspect-ratio Si microcones (μ-cones), coupled with light-blocking Pt and Co–P catalysts, as photocathodes for H2 evolution. Thick (∼16 nm) layers of Pt or Co–P deposited onto Si μ-cone arrays yielded absolute light-limited photocurrent densities of ∼32 mA cm−2, representing a reduction in light-limited photocurrent density of 6% relative to bare Si μ-cone-array photocathodes, while maintaining high fill factors and low overpotentials for H2 production from 0.50 M H2SO4(aq). The Si μ-cone arrays were embedded in a flexible polymeric membrane and removed from the Si substrate, to yield flexible photocathodes consisting of polymer-embedded arrays of free-standing μ-cones that evolved hydrogen from 0.50 M H2SO4(aq).

Graphical abstract: Integration of electrocatalysts with silicon microcone arrays for minimization of optical and overpotential losses during sunlight-driven hydrogen evolution

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 May 2019
Accepted
13 May 2019
First published
31 May 2019

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2019,3, 2227-2236

Author version available

Integration of electrocatalysts with silicon microcone arrays for minimization of optical and overpotential losses during sunlight-driven hydrogen evolution

S. Yalamanchili, P. A. Kempler, Kimberly M. Papadantonakis, H. A. Atwater and N. S. Lewis, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2019, 3, 2227 DOI: 10.1039/C9SE00294D

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