Yudania Sánchez, Maxim Guc, Sara Martí-Sánchez, Maykel Jiménez-Guerra, Shadai Lugo-Loredo, Jordi Arbiol, Alejandro Perez-Rodriguez, Jordi Martorell, Carles Ros. (2024). 2D nanosheet SnS2 solution-processed photoanodes: Unveiling enhanced visible light absorption for solar fuels applications. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 77, 193–202. DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.160
Abstract
The excessive band gap of metal oxide photoanodes currently poses a significant challenge to scaling up photoelectrochemical water splitting and CO2 reduction processes. However, metal sulfides with a 2D nanostructured morphology present a promising alternative, offering improved optoelectronic properties and catalytic capabilities in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Furthermore, this study breaks new ground by demonstrating, for the first time, the visible spectra absorption capabilities of SnxSy photoanodes. These photoanodes were fabricated using facile non-vacuum techniques and subsequently post-annealed in a sulfur atmosphere. This process yielded SnS2 multilayer nanosheets exhibiting remarkable visible-light absorption down to 900 nm wavelengths.
Annealing at an optimal temperature of 500 °C led to remarkable results, including photovoltages exceeding 1 V and photocurrents surpassing 1.6 mA/cm2 at 1.23VRHE. Moreover, we observed an impressive incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 75% at 330 nm. Notably, photon conversion within the 500–900 nm range (down to 1.37 eV) associates with a phase transformation from orthorhombic α-SnS to Sn2S3, and subsequently to hexagonal SnS2. Furthermore, IPCE plays a crucial role in elucidating effective phase transformation and photon conversion at wavelengths below the dominant direct band gap for SnS2. This observation suggests the potential existence of indirect transitions or confinement effects within the low-dimensional nanosheets. In conclusion, SnS2 nanosheets, fabricated through solution-processed methods, hold immense promise for the development of large-scale, cost-effective, and efficient photoelectrochemical devices.
SOREC2 joins the European Reseachers’s Night 2024
The University of Ferrara (UNIFE) turned the historic Piazza Castello into a bustling science laboratory for the European Researchers’ Night on September 27th. Among the many young scientists showcasing their work was Alberto Magliocco, a PhD student from UNIFE and a member of the SOREC2 project team.
Read moreMeet our team: Caltech
Not all the institutions participating in the SOREC2 consortium are based in Europe. For example, one of its contributors is the Peters Group from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Led by Dr. Jonas Peters, this research group brings specialized knowledge and long-lasting experience in molecular additives and electrochemistry to help to the project to develop a new cathode for CO2 reduction. For the four chapter of “Meet our Team” series, we interviewed Madeline Hicks, a researcher from Peters Group, to delve deeper into CALTECH’s role, goals and expectations within the SOREC2 project.
Read moreSOREC2 advancements featured at the Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry Summer School 2024
Alberto Magliocco, a PhD student in Professor Serena Berardi’s group at the University of Ferrara (UNIFE) and a member of the SOREC2 project team, recently participated in the Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry Summer School. Hosted by the Chemistry Department of the University of Padua, the event took place in Jesolo, Italy, from September 15th to 20th, 2024.
Read moreSOREC2 members at the International Quantsol Summer School 2024
ICFO researchers and SOREC2 project members, Carles Ros, Emmanouela Andrioti and Chiara Cortese , attended the International Quantsol Summer School on Photovoltaics and New Concepts of Quantum Solar Energy Conversion 2024. The event took place in Hirschegg, Austria, from September 1st to 8th.
Read moreSOREC2 researchers board the “The Science Wagon”
Carolina Gimbert and Xavier Sala, two researchers from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and team members of the SOREC2 consortium, have recently participated in a podcast as part of the UAB’s “El Vagó de la Ciència“ (The Science Wagon) initiative. During the interview with journalist Olga Vallejo, they delved into the topic of green hydrogen, a promising alternative energy source, complementary to SOREC2 technology with the common final goal of reducing anthropogenic carbon footprint. Gimbert and Sala are members of the CatSyNanoMat and Seloxcat research groups, respectively.
Read moreEnhancing charge extraction in BiVO4 photoanodes by ZrCl4 treatment of SnO2 hole-blocking layers
Valentina Gacha, Carles Ros, Xènia Garcia, Jordi Llorca, Jordi Martorell, Dimitrios Raptis (2024), Enhancing charge extraction in BiVO4 photoanodes by ZrCl4 treatment of SnO2 hole-blocking layers. Energy Environ. Mater. e12809. https://doi.org/10.1002/eem2.12809
Abstract
In the search for more efficient and sustainable photoelectrochemical devices, BiVO4 is nowadays one of the best-performing photoanode material, with favourable band structure for water oxidation. However, BiVO4 photoanodes face challenges such as poor charge transport and slow kinetics. To address these issues, SnO2 films are commonly used as hole blocking layers, reducing recombination rate and enhancing charge lifespan and overall productivity. Yet, this method encounters problems like high defect concentrations at the SnO2/BiVO4 interface and pinholes in the SnO2 layer, which lead to charge recombination. In this study, we explore a ZrCl4 treatment to improve the effectiveness of SnO2 as a hole-blocking layer in BiVO4 photoanodes. Our findings, supported by detailed optoelectronic characterization and continuous and modulated electrochemical analysis, reveal that ZrCl4 treatment significantly enhances the hole-blocking properties of SnO2. This treatment results in a 37 % increase in photocurrent density at 1.23 VRHE and a 40 mV shift in the onset voltage, demonstrating a substantial improvement in overall photoanode efficiency..
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Harnessing the Power of PM6:Y6 Semitransparent Photoanodes by Computational Balancement of Photon Absorption in Photoanode/Photovoltaic Organic Tandems: >7 mA cm−2 Solar Synthetic Fuels Production at Bias-Free Potentials
Francisco Bernal-Texca, Emmanouela Andrioti, Jordi Martorell and Carles Ros. (2024), Harnessing the Power of PM6:Y6 Semitransparent Photoanodes by Computational Balancement of Photon Absorption in Photoanode/Photovoltaic Organic Tandems: >7 mA cm−2 Solar Synthetic Fuels Production at Bias-Free Potentials. Energy Environ. Mater. e12809. https://doi.org/10.1002/eem2.12809
Abstract
This study first demonstrates the potential of organic photoabsorbing blends in overcoming a critical limitation of metal oxide photoanodes in tandem modules: insufficient photogenerated current. Various organic blends, including PTB7-Th:FOIC, PTB7-Th:O6T-4F, PM6:Y6, and PM6:FM, were systematically tested. When coupled with electron transport layer (ETL) contacts, these blends exhibit exceptional charge separation and extraction, with PM6:Y6 achieving saturation photocurrents up to 16.8 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE (oxygen evolution thermodynamic potential). For the first time, researchers computationally designed and fabricated a tandem structure utilizing organic photoanodes. The implementation of a double PM6:Y6 photoanode/photovoltaic structure resulted in photogenerated currents exceeding 7 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE (hydrogen evolution thermodynamic potential) and anodic current onset potentials as low as −0.5 VRHE. The herein-presented organic-based approach paves the way for further exploration of different blend combinations to target specific oxidative reactions by selecting precise donor/acceptor candidates among the multiple existing ones..
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New photoanodes made from 2D tin sulfide nanosheets enhance the visible light absorption of photoelectrochemical devices
In a recent study featured in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, researchers have showcased the promising potential of 2D tin sulfide (SnS₂) multilayer nanosheets within photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems. More specifically, they have demonstrated the capability of these solution-processed photoanodes to effectively absorb and convert visible light into chemical energy. Consequently, these findings establish them as compelling materials for enhancing various PEC applications, notably including solar fuel and hydrogen production.
Read more2D nanosheet SnS2 solution-processed photoanodes: Unveiling enhanced visible light absorption for solar fuels applications
Yudania Sánchez, Maxim Guc, Sara Martí-Sánchez, Maykel Jiménez-Guerra, Shadai Lugo-Loredo, Jordi Arbiol, Alejandro Perez-Rodriguez, Jordi Martorell, Carles Ros. (2024). 2D nanosheet SnS2 solution-processed photoanodes: Unveiling enhanced visible light absorption for solar fuels applications. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 77, 193–202. DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.160
Abstract
The excessive band gap of metal oxide photoanodes currently poses a significant challenge to scaling up photoelectrochemical water splitting and CO2 reduction processes. However, metal sulfides with a 2D nanostructured morphology present a promising alternative, offering improved optoelectronic properties and catalytic capabilities in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Furthermore, this study breaks new ground by demonstrating, for the first time, the visible spectra absorption capabilities of SnxSy photoanodes. These photoanodes were fabricated using facile non-vacuum techniques and subsequently post-annealed in a sulfur atmosphere. This process yielded SnS2 multilayer nanosheets exhibiting remarkable visible-light absorption down to 900 nm wavelengths.
Annealing at an optimal temperature of 500 °C led to remarkable results, including photovoltages exceeding 1 V and photocurrents surpassing 1.6 mA/cm2 at 1.23VRHE. Moreover, we observed an impressive incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 75% at 330 nm. Notably, photon conversion within the 500–900 nm range (down to 1.37 eV) associates with a phase transformation from orthorhombic α-SnS to Sn2S3, and subsequently to hexagonal SnS2. Furthermore, IPCE plays a crucial role in elucidating effective phase transformation and photon conversion at wavelengths below the dominant direct band gap for SnS2. This observation suggests the potential existence of indirect transitions or confinement effects within the low-dimensional nanosheets. In conclusion, SnS2 nanosheets, fabricated through solution-processed methods, hold immense promise for the development of large-scale, cost-effective, and efficient photoelectrochemical devices.
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Photoanode samples testing session at ICFO
Ruggero Bonetto, a researcher at the CatSyNanoMat group from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and partner of the SOREC2 project, spent a whole day last 26th of June at ICFO conducting experiments in the laboratories of the Organic Nanostructured Photovoltaics group led by Jordi Martorell.
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