Issue 44, 2014

Development of a high performance hollow CuInSe2 nanospheres-based photoelectrochemical cell for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Hollow chalcopyrite CuInSe2 nanospheres are prepared by colloidal synthesis, for the first time, and assembled inside TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) as a high performance photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. In order to improve the charge separation, we engineer the CuInSe2-based photoelectrode with a novel strategy: thin layer ZnS (pre-treatment), hollow CuInSe2 nanocrystals, Mn-doped CdS, and thin layer ZnS (post-treatment) are assembled onto TiO2 NTAs in sequence. The Mn–CdS shell, closely packed around the earlier-modified CuInSe2 nanocrystals, provides high surface coverage to passivate surface states and enhance light absorption intensity. Double ZnS layers as a quasi-quantum well yield much longer electron diffusion length favoring a high photoresponse. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is used to confirm the stepwise conduction band edge and electrochemically active surface areas. A type II-like core/shell heterojunction model is proposed to elucidate the charge transfer mechanism. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and open-circuit dark–light–dark photovoltage response support a two-channel charge transport mechanism in this type of photoelectrode. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy indicates a dramatically reduced electron transfer from TiO2 NTAs to the sensitizer. The saturated short circle photocurrent achieved by the quantum well structure photoelectrode under illumination of AM 1.5 (100 mW cm−2) is 22.4 mA cm−2. The corresponding measured hydrogen evolution rate is 7.93 ml cm−2 h−1.

Graphical abstract: Development of a high performance hollow CuInSe2 nanospheres-based photoelectrochemical cell for hydrogen evolution

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 May 2014
Accepted
13 Aug 2014
First published
13 Aug 2014

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014,2, 18974-18987

Development of a high performance hollow CuInSe2 nanospheres-based photoelectrochemical cell for hydrogen evolution

P. Sheng, W. Li, X. Tong, X. Wang and Q. Cai, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 18974 DOI: 10.1039/C4TA02672A

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