Simultaneous Photoelectrocatalytic Oxidation and Nitrite-Ammonia Conversion with Artificial Photoelectrochemistry Cells

• Artificial photoelectrochemistry system harvests solar energy for solar fuel conversion by use of semiconductor anode and cathode. However, the low overall performance of this integrated system is limited by the compatibility and durability. Herein, a compact heterostructure photoanode exhibits >98% selective photoelectrocatalytic oxidation conversion and >99% Faradaic efficiency of benzyl alcohol oxidation at 0.67 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in comparison of single-phase photoanodes. Density functional theory calculations reveal the heterointerface is responsible for the appreciable electronic interaction and the accelerated charge transport, exploring the radical relay pathway as the selective oxidation mechanism. Especially, the integrated photoelectrochemistry cell is developed by heterostructure photoanode and protective photocathode, simultaneously enabling the efficient photoelectrocatalytic oxidation conversion and nitrite reduction reaction to ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions with a maximum Faradaic efficiency >98%. This work sheds light on rational design and the construction of artificial photoelectrochemistry cells towards solar energy conversion. 

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

artificial photoelectrochemistry cells

heterostructure photoanodes

nitrite-ammonia conversion

photoelectrocatalytic oxidation

solar energy conversion

Artificial photosynthesis

Density functional theory

Electrochemistry

Electrodes

Heterojunctions

Oxidation

Solar fuels

Ammonia conversion

Artificial photoelectrochemistry cell

Faradaic efficiencies

Heterostructure photoanode

Photo-anodes

Photo-electrocatalytic oxidations

Photo-electrochemistry

Solar energy conversions

Ammonia

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)