Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light
This study aimed to rationally design the novel Bi _2 Te _3 implanted ZnO (Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO) thin films using simultaneous RF and DC magnetron sputtering technique. Herein, we explored the electrolyte interface effect (0.1 M of KOH, KCl, Na _2 SO _3 and Na _2 SO _4 ) on ZnO and Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO towa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Materials Research Express |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/abd787 |
| _version_ | 1797746779356135424 |
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| author | Adem Sreedhar Jin-Seo Noh |
| author_facet | Adem Sreedhar Jin-Seo Noh |
| author_sort | Adem Sreedhar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to rationally design the novel Bi _2 Te _3 implanted ZnO (Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO) thin films using simultaneous RF and DC magnetron sputtering technique. Herein, we explored the electrolyte interface effect (0.1 M of KOH, KCl, Na _2 SO _3 and Na _2 SO _4 ) on ZnO and Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO towards highly stable PEC water splitting activity for the first time. Specifically, morphological evolution and electrolyte ion diffusion properties play a crucial role in realizing the prolonged charge carrier lifetime. Moreover, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO is highlighted with unique nanocone-shaped morphology compared to flake-like ZnO. Also, constructive interfacial interaction was observed between Bi _2 Te _3 and ZnO. As a result, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO demonstrated superior and highly stable photocurrents in the KOH electrolyte compared to KCl, Na _2 SO _3 and Na _2 SO _4 electrolytes. Precisely, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO triumphed highly stable photocurrents about 7.93 × 10 ^–4 A cm ^−2 compared to ZnO (6.02 × 10 ^–4 ) at +0.4 V under solar light in KOH electrolyte. Accordingly, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO achieved remarkable photoconversion efficiency ( η ) about 0.65 %, which is enabled by the strengthened intimate interaction between Bi _2 Te _3 and ZnO. Furthermore, we compared the PEC activity under visible light (UV cut-off solar light). These results highlighted that the photoconversion efficiency difference between Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO and ZnO (about 4 times) under visible light is relatively higher than solar light (1.3 times) in KOH. Thus, we proposed different charge carrier generation mechanisms of Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO under solar and visible light. Therefore, intimate interfacial interaction, surface modification, ion diffusion and photoelectrode-electrolyte interaction are key parameters to enhance the PEC activity. Overall, rational design of the transition metal oxide/thermoelectric material interface using Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO composite paves a new path towards highly stable photoanode during PEC water splitting activity in the KOH electrolyte environment. |
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| issn | 2053-1591 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T15:42:42Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-ffebdea5dc4c4f43be82c1ad23f5e86e2023-08-09T15:56:41ZengIOP PublishingMaterials Research Express2053-15912021-01-018101640510.1088/2053-1591/abd787Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible lightAdem Sreedhar0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8379-6133Jin-Seo Noh1Department of Nano-Physics, Gachon University , 1342 Seongnamdaero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 461-701, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Nano-Physics, Gachon University , 1342 Seongnamdaero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 461-701, Republic of KoreaThis study aimed to rationally design the novel Bi _2 Te _3 implanted ZnO (Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO) thin films using simultaneous RF and DC magnetron sputtering technique. Herein, we explored the electrolyte interface effect (0.1 M of KOH, KCl, Na _2 SO _3 and Na _2 SO _4 ) on ZnO and Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO towards highly stable PEC water splitting activity for the first time. Specifically, morphological evolution and electrolyte ion diffusion properties play a crucial role in realizing the prolonged charge carrier lifetime. Moreover, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO is highlighted with unique nanocone-shaped morphology compared to flake-like ZnO. Also, constructive interfacial interaction was observed between Bi _2 Te _3 and ZnO. As a result, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO demonstrated superior and highly stable photocurrents in the KOH electrolyte compared to KCl, Na _2 SO _3 and Na _2 SO _4 electrolytes. Precisely, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO triumphed highly stable photocurrents about 7.93 × 10 ^–4 A cm ^−2 compared to ZnO (6.02 × 10 ^–4 ) at +0.4 V under solar light in KOH electrolyte. Accordingly, Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO achieved remarkable photoconversion efficiency ( η ) about 0.65 %, which is enabled by the strengthened intimate interaction between Bi _2 Te _3 and ZnO. Furthermore, we compared the PEC activity under visible light (UV cut-off solar light). These results highlighted that the photoconversion efficiency difference between Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO and ZnO (about 4 times) under visible light is relatively higher than solar light (1.3 times) in KOH. Thus, we proposed different charge carrier generation mechanisms of Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO under solar and visible light. Therefore, intimate interfacial interaction, surface modification, ion diffusion and photoelectrode-electrolyte interaction are key parameters to enhance the PEC activity. Overall, rational design of the transition metal oxide/thermoelectric material interface using Bi _2 Te _3 @ZnO composite paves a new path towards highly stable photoanode during PEC water splitting activity in the KOH electrolyte environment.https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/abd787thin filmsIntimate interface interactionIonic conductivityZnOBi2Te3PEC activity |
| spellingShingle | Adem Sreedhar Jin-Seo Noh Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light Materials Research Express thin films Intimate interface interaction Ionic conductivity ZnO Bi2Te3 PEC activity |
| title | Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light |
| title_full | Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light |
| title_fullStr | Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light |
| title_full_unstemmed | Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light |
| title_short | Realization of electrolyte interface effect on Bi2Te3 implanted flake-like ZnO thin films for understanding the highly stable PEC water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light |
| title_sort | realization of electrolyte interface effect on bi2te3 implanted flake like zno thin films for understanding the highly stable pec water splitting under simulated solar light and visible light |
| topic | thin films Intimate interface interaction Ionic conductivity ZnO Bi2Te3 PEC activity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/abd787 |
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