Charge optimization induces reconstruction compounding Ni(OH) and CoP: a novel route to construct electrocatalysts for overall water-splitting.

Electrolytic water-splitting has the advantages of high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. It is becoming a leading approach for producing hydrogen. In order to improve the efficiency of water-splitting, a bifunctional electrocatalyst with high performance is needed.

Rapid Flame Synthesis of Highly Efficient CuO-CuBiO Heterojunction Photocathode for Improved Charge Separation and Light Capture Efficiency.

The rapid flame annealing (FA) method has the advantages of convenience and rapidity with an instantaneous temperature rise and fall process. In this work, the influence of flame annealing duration on the front side and back side of CuBiO-based photocathodes was investigated, and photoelectrodes with variable compositions were obtained. A highly efficient CuO@CuO/CuBiO photoelectrode was successfully obtained via a two-step FA method within a few seconds.

Photocatalytic Partial Water Oxidation Promoted by a Hydrogen Acceptor-Hydroxyl Mediator Couple.

Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is an important chemical in synthetic chemistry with huge demands. Photocatalytic synthesis of HO via oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions (ORR and WOR) is considered as a promising and desirable solution for on-site applications. However, the efficiency of such a process is low due to the poor solubility of molecular oxygen and the rapid reverse reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with hydrogen atoms (H).

Dual Modification Strategy: Passivation Layer and Cocatalyst on Hematite for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

α-FeO is a very attractive photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water decomposition. However, its short diffusion length, poor conductivity, and fast charge-carrier recombination severely limit device efficiency. Here, coloading an AlO passivation layer and a CoO cocatalyst onto Ti-doped α-FeO was carried out to promote PEC water oxidation by improving charge separation and transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface and inhibiting photocarrier recombination.

A tungsten phosphide cocatalyst enhanced bismuth tungstate photoanode with the robust built-in electric field towards highly efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

The use of low-cost and effective cocatalyst is a potential strategy to optimize the effectiveness of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this study, tungsten phosphide (WP) is introduced as a remarkably active cocatalyst to enhance the PEC efficiency of a BiWO photoanode. The onset potential of BiWO/WP demonstrates a negative shift, while the photocurrent density demonstrates a significant 5.