Solar fuels articles within Nature Communications

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• Article
  09 May 2024 | Open Access

  Correlating activities and defects in (photo)electrocatalysts using in-situ multi-modal microscopic imaging

  Physicochemical heterogeneity poses a significant constraint in photocatalyst advancement. Here the authors introduce a multimodal optical microscopy platform to assess activity and defects concurrently in photoelectrocatalysts, revealing that disorder can unexpectedly enhance local photoelectrocatalytic performance in certain instances.

  • Camilo A. Mesa
  • , Michael Sachs
  •  & Raj Pandya

• Article
  02 December 2023 | Open Access

  Potential window alignment regulating ion transfer in faradaic junctions for efficient photoelectrocatalysis

  Band alignment theory has been widely used to design semiconductor heterojunctions for photo(electro)catalysis, but it cannot describe coupled electron and ion transfer process. Here, the authors propose potential window alignment theory to remarkably improve the performance of heterojunctions.

  • Hongzheng Dong
  • , Xiangyu Pan
  •  & Zhigang Zou

• Article
  09 November 2023 | Open Access

  Improving the photovoltage of Cu₂O photocathodes with dual buffer layers

  Increasing the photovoltage of the Cu₂O photocathode plays an important role in photocatalytic water splitting. Here the authors construct a dual buffer layer to optimize the band alignment between the n-type layer and the protective layer, which improves the onset potential of the Cu₂O photocathode by 0.16 V.

  • Jinshui Cheng
  • , Linxiao Wu
  •  & Jingshan Luo

• Article
  27 September 2023 | Open Access

  Solar-driven upgrading of biomass by coupled hydrogenation using in situ (photo)electrochemically generated H₂

  Green chemical transformations driven by renewable energies are imperative to realize a sustainable energy society. We demonstrate a coupled approach to hydrogenate biomass feedstock into valuable chemicals with high stability using hydrogen generated in situ in a (photo)electrochemical reactor.

  • Keisuke Obata
  • , Michael Schwarze
  •  & Fatwa F. Abdi

• Article
  10 June 2023 | Open Access

  Solution-processable polymers of intrinsic microporosity for gas-phase carbon dioxide photoreduction

  This works presents a series of solution processable, conjugated polymers of intrinsic microporosity, which are used as photocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to carbon monoxide in the presence of hydrogen.

  • Floriana Moruzzi
  • , Weimin Zhang
  •  & Iain McCulloch

• Article
  01 June 2023 | Open Access

  Cu-based high-entropy two-dimensional oxide as stable and active photothermal catalyst

  Synergistically enhancing catalytic stability and activity of Cu-based nanocatalysts is an ongoing challenge. Here the authors report Cu-based high-entropy two-dimensional oxide as stable and active catalyst for photothermal CO2 hydrogenation under ambient sunlight irradiation.

  • Yaguang Li
  • , Xianhua Bai
  •  & Jinhua Ye

• Article
  29 April 2023 | Open Access

  Photothermal-enabled single-atom catalysts for high-efficiency hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis from natural seawater

  Photoproduction of solar fuels and important chemicals is of significant interest. Here, the authors construct a cobalt single atom-based photothermal-photocatalytic heterostructure that realizes efficient hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis from earth-abundant seawater.

  • Wei Wang
  • , Qun Song
  •  & Ning Wang

• Article
  23 February 2023 | Open Access

  Renewable formate from sunlight, biomass and carbon dioxide in a photoelectrochemical cell

  The sustainable production of chemicals and fuels from waste carbon sources holds significant promise for reducing our dependence on fossil resources. Here, the authors demonstrate renewable formate production from biomass wastes and CO2 powered by solar energy.

  • Yuyang Pan
  • , Huiyan Zhang
  •  & Sheng Chu

• Article
  15 December 2022 | Open Access

  Decoupling light absorption and carrier transport via heterogeneous doping in Ta₃N₅ thin film photoanode

  While photoelectrochemical water splitting offers a promising means to obtain renewable H₂, it is challenging to balance light absorption and carrier transport in semiconductor thin films. Here, authors combine surface doping and bulk gradient doping to decouple these factors to boost performances.

  • Yequan Xiao
  • , Zeyu Fan
  •  & Yanbo Li

• Article
  20 October 2022 | Open Access

  Low-bias photoelectrochemical water splitting via mediating trap states and small polaron hopping

  While photoelectrochemical water splitting produces fuel from solar energy, a large fraction of photoanode photoexcited charge carriers cannot be extracted efficiently at low bias voltages. Here, authors improve the charge transport in P-doped BiVO₄ by mediating polaron hopping and trap states.

  • Hao Wu
  • , Lei Zhang
  •  & Yun Hau Ng

• Article
  03 October 2022 | Open Access

  Bias-free solar hydrogen production at 19.8 mA cm⁻² using perovskite photocathode and lignocellulosic biomass

  While light-driven water splitting offers a means to produce renewable H₂ fuel, water oxidation limits performances and yields low-value products. Here, authors demonstrate a photoelectrochemical cell that converts lignocellulosic biomass into valuable products alongside H₂.

  • Yuri Choi
  • , Rashmi Mehrotra
  •  & Jungki Ryu

• Article
  28 September 2022 | Open Access

  A hygroscopic nano-membrane coating achieves efficient vapor-fed photocatalytic water splitting

  Although light-driven water vapor splitting may avoid material stability challenges for renewable fuel production, material performances lag behind solution-based studies. Here, authors incorporate metal hydroxides layers into particulate photocatalysts to enhance water vapor splitting activities.

  • Takuya Suguro
  • , Fuminao Kishimoto
  •  & Kazuhiro Takanabe

• Article
  17 November 2021 | Open Access

  Unassisted selective solar hydrogen peroxide production by an oxidised buckypaper-integrated perovskite photocathode

  It is of high demand yet challenging to boost the efficiency of solar driven hydrogen peroxide synthesis. Herein, the authors intergrade perovskite-based photocathode and oxidised buckypaper for unassisted solar H2O2 production with a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of ~1.463 %.

  • Rashmi Mehrotra
  • , Dongrak Oh
  •  & Ji-Wook Jang

• Article
  30 September 2021 | Open Access

  Efficient CO₂ electroreduction on facet-selective copper films with high conversion rate

  Regulation of Cu facets to promote electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction is interesting and challenging. Here the authors describe a deposition-etch-bombardment synthetic approach to prepare Cu(100)-rich thin film electrodes for CO₂ electroreduction with over 50% ethylene Faradaic efficiency at a total current of 12 A.

  • Gong Zhang
  • , Zhi-Jian Zhao
  •  & Jinlong Gong

• Article
  06 August 2021 | Open Access

  Vacancy-defect modulated pathway of photoreduction of CO₂ on single atomically thin AgInP₂S₆ sheets into olefiant gas

  CO₂ conversion driven by light is a promising strategy to synchronously overcome global warming and energy-supply issues. Here the authors show that the sulfur defect engineering on a quaternary AgInP2S6 atomic layer can excitingly change the CO₂ photoreduction reaction pathway to the generation of ethene.

  • Wa Gao
  • , Shi Li
  •  & Zhigang Zou

• Article
  28 January 2021 | Open Access

  Characterisation of oxygen defects and nitrogen impurities in TiO₂ photocatalysts using variable-temperature X-ray powder diffraction

  Nitrogen-doped TiO₂ exhibits improved photocatalytic water-splitting activity partially due to enhanced oxygen vacancy formation. Here, authors demonstrate the temperature-dependent lattice distortion of oxygen vacancies, and identify the presence of a titanium oxynitride phase in high activity catalysts.

  • Christopher Foo
  • , Yiyang Li
  •  & Shik Chi Edman Tsang

• Article
  30 November 2020 | Open Access

  Bismuth atom tailoring of indium oxide surface frustrated Lewis pairs boosts heterogeneous CO₂ photocatalytic hydrogenation

  Surface frustrated Lewis pairs (SFLPs) provide a unique class of active sites that enable efficient gas-phase CO₂ photocatalysis. How to tailor the reactivity of the SFLPs represents a major challenge, which the authors address here by single-site Bi³⁺ ion substitution of the SFLPs.

  • Tingjiang Yan
  • , Na Li
  •  & Geoffrey A. Ozin

• Article
  02 November 2020 | Open Access

  High-performance and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting cell with organic-photoactive-layer-based photoanode

  While organic semiconductors may be useful in photoelectrochemical water-splitting materials, they show low stability in water. Here, the authors report high-performance and stable organic-semiconductor-based photoanodes passivated using nickel foils, GaIn eutectic, and layered double hydroxides.

  • Je Min Yu
  • , Jungho Lee
  •  & Ji-Wook Jang

• Article
  17 September 2020 | Open Access

  Direct growth of uniform carbon nitride layers with extended optical absorption towards efficient water-splitting photoanodes

  Photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) can convert sunlight and water directly to a hydrogen fuel. Here a robust metal-free carbon nitride-based layer is used as an efficient photoanode for water-splitting PEC.

  • Jiani Qin
  • , Jesús Barrio
  •  & Menny Shalom

• Article
  06 August 2020 | Open Access

  Spontaneous solar water splitting with decoupling of light absorption and electrocatalysis using silicon back-buried junction

  The simultaneous management of optical, electrical, and catalytic properties is challenging for photoelectrochemical devices. Here, authors design Si back-buried junction photoelectrodes that can be series connected for unassisted water-splitting with a high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 15.62%.

  • Hui-Chun Fu
  • , Purushothaman Varadhan
  •  & Jr-Hau He

• Article
  16 June 2020 | Open Access

  Direct and indirect Z-scheme heterostructure-coupled photosystem enabling cooperation of CO₂ reduction and H₂O oxidation

  The stoichiometric photoreaction of CO₂ with H₂O is one of the big challenges in photocatalysis. An artificial photosynthetic system based on a direct and indirect Z-scheme heterostructure is synthesised, enabling simultaneous CO₂ reduction to HCOOH and H₂O oxidation to O₂.

  • Ying Wang
  • , Xiaotong Shang
  •  & Can Li

• Article
  13 February 2020 | Open Access

  Benchmark performance of low-cost Sb₂Se₃ photocathodes for unassisted solar overall water splitting

  While photoelectrochemical water splitting offers an integrated means to convert sunlight to a renewable fuel, cost-effective light-absorbers are rare. Here, authors report Sb₂Se₃ photocathodes for high-performance photoelectrochemical water splitting devices.

  • Wooseok Yang
  • , Jin Hyun Kim
  •  & Jooho Moon

• Article
  16 January 2020 | Open Access

  Cu₂O photocathodes with band-tail states assisted hole transport for standalone solar water splitting

  While solar-to-fuel conversion offers a promising technology to produce energy, device components can limit light absorption and reduce performances. Here, authors show copper thiocyanate to assist hole transport in photoelectrodes and enable a 4.55% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in tandem devices.

  • Linfeng Pan
  • , Yuhang Liu
  •  & Anders Hagfeldt

• Article
  21 November 2019 | Open Access

  An efficient and stable photoelectrochemical system with 9% solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency via InGaP/GaAs double junction

  Photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices with III-V semiconductors are efficient for solar-to-hydrogen conversion, but high costs and poor stability limit applications. Here, authors decouple light harvesting from electrolysis to enhance stability without compromising the efficiency.

  • Purushothaman Varadhan
  • , Hui-Chun Fu
  •  & Jr-Hau He

• Article
  12 November 2019 | Open Access

  Unassisted solar lignin valorisation using a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical cell

  The effective valorisation of lignin is crucial for realizing a sustainable biorefinery. Here, the authors report that a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical design enables unassisted, selective, and stable solar lignin valorisation without the need for any additional bias or chemicals.

  • Myohwa Ko
  • , Le Thanh Mai Pham
  •  & Ji-Wook Jang

• Article
  29 October 2019 | Open Access

  Collective excitation of plasmon-coupled Au-nanochain boosts photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of semiconductor

  Plasmonic effect offers a valuable opportunity to improve the efficiency of semiconductor, photocatalysts. Here, the authors show that the collective excitation of plasmonic metal, nanoparticles is more favorable for enhancing the utilization of plasmonic energy by, semiconductors.

  • Guiyang Yu
  • , Jun Qian
  •  & Gang Liu

• Article
  27 September 2019 | Open Access

  Photocatalytic water splitting by N-TiO₂ on MgO (111) with exceptional quantum efficiencies at elevated temperatures

  Chemical fuels, produced from light, afford an alternative to fossil fuel, but conversion materials suffer from low photon-to-fuel efficiencies. Here, authors incorporate gold/N-doped TiO₂ on MgO surfaces and show enhanced photocatalytic water splitting performances at elevated temperatures.

  • Yiyang Li
  • , Yung-Kang Peng
  •  & Shik Chi Edman Tsang

• Article
  09 September 2019 | Open Access

  A high-performance oxygen evolution catalyst in neutral-pH for sunlight-driven CO₂ reduction

  Solar-to-fuel conversion under mild conditions offers a renewable means to store energy. Here authors report a Brownmillerite oxide for neutral-pH oxygen evolution that, when integrated with an anodized silver cathode, enables a 13.9% energy-conversion efficiency for light-driven CO₂ reduction

  • Li Qin Zhou
  • , Chen Ling
  •  & Hongfei Jia

• Article
  03 September 2019 | Open Access

  In situ observation of picosecond polaron self-localisation in α-Fe₂O₃ photoelectrochemical cells

  The efficiency of Hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) photo-anodes is thought to be limited by ultrafast lattice distortions or polarons. Here, we use an optical-control method with photocurrent detection to track small polarons in real time and demonstrate that they impact photoelectrochemical cell activity

  • Ernest Pastor
  • , Ji-Sang Park
  •  & Artem A. Bakulin

• Article
  06 August 2019 | Open Access

  Tailoring the photoelectrochemistry of catalytic metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photoanodes by a dissolution method

  Designing synthetic systems to convert light into fuel is crucial in renewable energy development. Here, authors study electrodissolution in nickel thin films from metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions and find decreased homogeneity to improve junction properties and catalytic performances.

  • G. Loget
  • , C. Mériadec
  •  & S. Ababou-Girard

• Article
  28 June 2019 | Open Access

  Isolated single atom cobalt in Bi₃O₄Br atomic layers to trigger efficient CO₂ photoreduction

  While the conversion of CO₂ to high-value products provides a promising means to remove and utilize atmospheric carbon, few materials can do so without wasteful, sacrificial reagents. Here, authors prepare single-atom Co on Bi₃O₄Br nanosheets as CO₂ reduction catalysts using water and light.

  • Jun Di
  • , Chao Chen
  •  & Zheng Liu

• Article
  08 May 2019 | Open Access

  Graphite-protected CsPbBr₃ perovskite photoanodes functionalised with water oxidation catalyst for oxygen evolution in water

  While photoelectrochemical cells may offer access to solar fuels from a single integrated device, halide perovskite photoelectrodes are difficult to use due to their inherent moisture sensitivity. Here, the authors protect perovskite photoanodes with graphite sheets to boost their stability in water.

  • Isabella Poli
  • , Ulrich Hintermair
  •  & Petra J. Cameron

• Article
  11 April 2019 | Open Access

  Modulating the mechanism of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction by cobalt phthalocyanine through polymer coordination and encapsulation

  Understanding the mechanism behind CO₂ reduction catalysis is crucial in the development of high efficiency and activity catalysts. Here, authors employ kinetic isotope effects and proton inventory studies to assess catalyst mechanism and proton delivery in molecular CO₂ electroreduction materials.

  • Yingshuo Liu
  •  & Charles C. L. McCrory

• Article
  01 October 2018 | Open Access

  Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with ligand engineered all-inorganic InP and InP/ZnS colloidal quantum dots

  While quantum dots show high efficiency solar-to-fuel conversion for renewable energy, the frequently toxic elements employed present severe safety concerns. Here, authors demonstrate indium phosphide quantum dots as low-toxicity alternatives alongside efficient hydrogen evolution photocatalysis.

  • Shan Yu
  • , Xiang-Bing Fan
  •  & Greta R. Patzke

• Article
  21 September 2018 | Open Access

  Gallium nitride nanowire as a linker of molybdenum sulfides and silicon for photoelectrocatalytic water splitting

  Sunlight-harvesting materials require the clean integration of light-absorbing and catalytic components to be efficient. Here, authors link silicon photoelectrodes and molybdenum sulfide catalysts with defect-free gallium nitride nanowire to improve photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution.

  • Baowen Zhou
  • , Xianghua Kong
  •  & Zetian Mi

• Article
  03 September 2018 | Open Access

  Crystalline TiO₂ protective layer with graded oxygen defects for efficient and stable silicon-based photocathode

  While silicon-based materials can convert sunlight directly to fuel and electricity, balancing their stability and efficiency constrains usage. Here, authors protect silicon photocathodes with crystalline titanium dioxide layers with graded oxygen defects to improve both durability and efficiency.

  • Jianyun Zheng
  • , Yanhong Lyu
  •  & Shuangyin Wang

• Article
  22 August 2018 | Open Access

  Half-metallic carbon nitride nanosheets with micro grid mode resonance structure for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

  The “storage” of sunlight as a chemical fuel can provide renewable on-demand energy, although current earth-abundant materials usually show low activities. Here, authors construct a carbon nitride material whose half-metallicity and micro grid resonance structure boost light-driven H₂ evolution.

  • Gang Zhou
  • , Yun Shan
  •  & Xinglong Wu

• Article
  16 July 2018 | Open Access

  Nanoscale imaging of charge carrier transport in water splitting photoanodes

  The performance of energy materials is affected by structural defects, as well as physicochemical heterogeneity over different length scales. Here the authors map nanoscale correlations between morphological and functional heterogeneity, quantifying the trap states limiting electronic transport in bismuth vanadate thin films.

  • Johanna Eichhorn
  • , Christoph Kastl
  •  & Francesca M. Toma

• Article
  10 July 2018 | Open Access

  Efficient solar hydrogen generation in microgravity environment

  While renewable energy production is a terrestrial concern, far less attention is devoted to solar-to-fuel conversion for long-term space missions. Here, the authors explore photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation in microgravity and overcome microgravity’s limitations by electrode nanostructuring.

  • Katharina Brinkert
  • , Matthias H. Richter
  •  & Hans-Joachim Lewerenz

• Article
  27 April 2018 | Open Access

  A photochemical diode artificial photosynthesis system for unassisted high efficiency overall pure water splitting

  A major challenge facing solar-to-fuel technologies is the integration of light-absorbing and catalytic components into efficient water-splitting devices. Here, the authors construct a photochemical diode array to harvest visible light and split pure water at high solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies.

  • Faqrul A. Chowdhury
  • , Michel L. Trudeau
  •  & Zetian Mi

• Article
  11 April 2018 | Open Access

  RETRACTED ARTICLE: Supported black phosphorus nanosheets as hydrogen-evolving photocatalyst achieving 5.4% energy conversion efficiency at 353 K

  In order to displace fossil fuel technologies, it is crucial to develop efficient solar-to-fuel conversion materials using abundant, cheap elements. Here, the authors prepare few-layer black phosphorous with amorphous cobalt phosphide and produce hydrogen gas with light at high efficiencies.

  • Bin Tian
  • , Bining Tian
  •  & Yue Tian

• Article
  28 March 2018 | Open Access

  Size-dependent activity and selectivity of carbon dioxide photocatalytic reduction over platinum nanoparticles

  Light-driven carbon dioxide conversion into fuels provides a nature-inspired strategy to combat climate change, but how materials do so remains a challenge. Here, the authors prepare metal–semiconductor composites and find platinum-nanoparticle size controls fuel selectivity and activity.

  • Chunyang Dong
  • , Cheng Lian
  •  & Jinlong Zhang

• Article
  12 January 2018 | Open Access

  Carbon-doped SnS₂ nanostructure as a high-efficiency solar fuel catalyst under visible light

  Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to hydrocarbons is a promising route to both CO₂ utilization and renewable fuel production. Here the authors identify that carbon-doped SnS₂ possesses a high catalytic efficiency towards CO₂ reduction owing to low photogenerated charge recombination rates.

  • Indrajit Shown
  • , Satyanarayana Samireddi
  •  & Kuei-Hsien Chen

• Article
  03 January 2017 | Open Access

  Ti₃C₂ MXene co-catalyst on metal sulfide photo-absorbers for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production

  Solar hydrogen production through photocatalytic water splitting requires active and stable co-catalysts to replace platinum. Here, the authors use DFT to identify Ti₃C₂nanoparticles as potential co-catalysts, and assess their photocatalytic hydrogen production activity.

  • Jingrun Ran
  • , Guoping Gao
  •  & Shi-Zhang Qiao

• Article
  02 December 2016 | Open Access

  Efficiency limits for photoelectrochemical water-splitting

  Theoretical limiting efficiencies play a critical role in determining technological viability and expectations for device prototypes. Here, the authors present a unified framework for photoelectrochemical device performance through which previous limiting efficiencies can be understood and contextualized.

  • Katherine T. Fountaine
  • , Hans Joachim Lewerenz
  •  & Harry A. Atwater

• Article
  07 September 2016 | Open Access

  Upscaling of integrated photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices to large areas

  The realization of photoelectrochemical water splitting requires the upscale of associated technologies. Here, the authors report a scalable design based on independent photovoltaic and electrochemical silicon thin-film modules and assess its solar hydrogen generation performance.

  • Bugra Turan
  • , Jan-Philipp Becker
  •  & Stefan Haas