Effect of Ni-W-S electrocatalysts on the stability and electrochemical properties of photocathode

Abstract

Silicon-based photocathodes are attractive for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, yet their deployment is constrained by reliance on precious metal catalysts like platinum (Pt). Here, we introduce a cost-efficient, tungsten-doped nickel sulfide (NiWS) catalyst, photoelectrodeposited onto a TiO 2 -passivated silicon substrate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that W incorporation tailors the local electronic environment of Ni and S, facilitating charge redistribution and accelerating interfacial charge transfer kinetics. The engineered NiWS/TiO 2 /Si photocathode delivers a high photocurrent density of -30.8 mA cm -2 at 0 V RHE , with an onset potential of 0.58 V RHE , an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of 4.47%, and a Faradaic efficiency of ~90% for hydrogen evolution in neutral phosphate buffer (pH 6.5). It also demonstrates exceptional durability, retaining stable operation over 1014 hours under continuous illumination. When integrated with a silicon photovoltaic cell in a tandem architecture, the system enables unbiased solar-driven water splitting, delivering a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 4.01% and sustaining performance for 115 hours under AM 1.5G conditions. This work positions NiWS as a scalable, earth-abundant alternative to noble metals for long-term PEC hydrogen production.

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
06 Aug 2025
Accepted
01 Oct 2025
First published
02 Oct 2025

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Effect of Ni-W-S electrocatalysts on the stability and electrochemical properties of photocathode

Z. Liu, H. Liu, X. Ren, P. Lu, J. Ye, K. Wang and F. Jiang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D5TA06369H

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