Research Article

Designing Atomic Interface in Sb₂S₃/CdS Heterojunction for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

Minji Yang

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Zeyu Fan,

Zeyu Fan

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Jinyan Du,

Jinyan Du

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Chao Feng,

Chao Feng

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Ronghua Li,

Ronghua Li

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Beibei Zhang,

Beibei Zhang

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Nadiia Pastukhova,

Nadiia Pastukhova

Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, SI-5000 Slovenia

Search for more papers by this author

Matjaz Valant,

Matjaz Valant

Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, SI-5000 Slovenia

Search for more papers by this author

Matjaž Finšgar,

Matjaž Finšgar

Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, Maribor, SI-2000 Slovenia

Search for more papers by this author

Andraž Mavrič,

Corresponding Author

Andraž Mavrič

[email protected]

Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, SI-5000 Slovenia

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Yanbo Li,

Corresponding Author

Yanbo Li

[email protected]

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Minji Yang,

Minji Yang

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Zeyu Fan,

Zeyu Fan

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Jinyan Du,

Jinyan Du

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Chao Feng,

Chao Feng

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Ronghua Li,

Ronghua Li

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Beibei Zhang,

Beibei Zhang

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

Search for more papers by this author

Nadiia Pastukhova,

Nadiia Pastukhova

Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, SI-5000 Slovenia

Search for more papers by this author

Matjaz Valant,

Matjaz Valant

Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, SI-5000 Slovenia

Search for more papers by this author

Matjaž Finšgar,

Matjaž Finšgar

Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, Maribor, SI-2000 Slovenia

Search for more papers by this author

Andraž Mavrič,

Corresponding Author

Andraž Mavrič

[email protected]

Materials Research Laboratory, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Nova Gorica, SI-5000 Slovenia

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Yanbo Li,

Corresponding Author

Yanbo Li

[email protected]

Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 08 March 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202311644

Citations: 13

Share a link

Email
Wechat
Bluesky

Abstract

In the emerging Sb₂S₃-based solar energy conversion devices, a CdS buffer layer prepared by chemical bath deposition is commonly used to improve the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. However, the cation diffusion at the Sb₂S₃/CdS interface induces detrimental defects but is often overlooked. Designing a stable interface in the Sb₂S₃/CdS heterojunction is essential to achieve high solar energy conversion efficiency. As a proof of concept, this study reports that the modification of the Sb₂S₃/CdS heterojunction with an ultrathin Al₂O₃ interlayer effectively suppresses the interfacial defects by preventing the diffusion of Cd²⁺ cations into the Sb₂S₃ layer. As a result, a water-splitting photocathode based on Ag:Sb₂S₃/Al₂O₃/CdS heterojunction achieves a significantly improved half-cell solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 2.78% in a neutral electrolyte, as compared to 1.66% for the control Ag:Sb₂S₃/CdS device. This work demonstrates the importance of designing atomic interfaces and may provide a guideline for the fabrication of high-performance stibnite-type semiconductor-based solar energy conversion devices.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts to declare.

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Supporting Information

References

1a) Y. C. Choi, D. U. Lee, J. H. Noh, E. K. Kim, S. I. Seok, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2014, 24, 3587;
10.1002/adfm.201304238
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) U. A. Shah, S. Chen, G. M. G. Khalaf, Z. Jin, H. Song, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2021, 31, 2100265;
10.1002/adfm.202100265
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
c) R. R. Prabhakar, T. Moehl, S. Siol, J. Suh, S. D. Tilley, Chem. Mater. 2020, 32, 7247.
10.1021/acs.chemmater.0c01581
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
2Y.-C. Wang, Y.-Y. Zeng, L.-H. Li, C. Qin, Y.-W. Wang, Z.-R. Lou, F.-Y. Liu, Z.-Z. Ye, L.-P. Zhu, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2020, 3, 6188.
10.1021/acsaem.0c00210
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
3a) R. Kondrotas, C. Chen, J. Tang, Joule 2018, 2, 857;
10.1016/j.joule.2018.04.003
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) G. Liang, Z. Li, M. Ishaq, Z. Zheng, Z. Su, H. Ma, X. Zhang, P. Fan, S. Chen, Adv. Energy Mater. 2023, 13, 2300215;
10.1002/aenm.202300215
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
c) C. Li, J. He, Y. Xiao, Y. Li, J.-J. Delaunay, Energy Environ. Sci. 2020, 13, 3269.
10.1039/D0EE02397C
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
4a) R. Tang, S. Chen, Z.-H. Zheng, J.-T. Luo, P. Fan, X.-H. Zhang, J. Tang, G.-X. Liang, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2109078;
10.1002/adma.202109078
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) G.-X. Liang, M. Chen, M. Ishaq, X. Li, R. Tang, Z. Zheng, Z. Su, P. Tan, X. Zhang, S. Chen, Adv. Sci. 2022, 9, 2105142;
10.1002/advs.202105142
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
c) Y. Luo, G. Chen, S. Chen, N. Ahmad, M. Azam, Z. Zheng, Z. Su, M. Cathelinaud, H. Ma, Z. Chen, P. Fan, X. Zhang, G.-X. Liang, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2023, 33, 2213941.
10.1002/adfm.202213941
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
5a) M. Yang, Z. Fan, J. Du, R. Li, D. Liu, B. Zhang, K. Feng, C. Feng, Y. Li, ACS Catal. 2022, 12, 8175;
10.1021/acscatal.2c01384
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) Y. Mao, Y.-H. Hu, X.-Y. Hu, L.-Q. Yao, H. Li, L.-M. Lin, P. Tang, H. Li, S. Chen, J.-M. Li, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022, 32, 2208409.
10.1002/adfm.202208409
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
6Z. Yang, X. Wang, Y. Chen, Z. Zheng, Z. Chen, W. Xu, W. Liu, Y. Yang, J. Zhao, T. Chen, H. Zhu, Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 4540.
10.1038/s41467-019-12445-6
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
7a) X. Chen, Z. Li, H. Zhu, Y. Wang, B. Liang, J. Chen, Y. Xu, Y. Mai, J. Mater. Chem. C 2017, 5, 9421;
10.1039/C7TC02460F
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) A. Mavlonov, T. Razykov, F. Raziq, J. Gan, J. Chantana, Y. Kawano, T. Nishimura, H. Wei, A. Zakutayev, T. Minemoto, X. Zu, S. Li, L. Qiao, Sol. Energy 2020, 201, 227.
10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.009
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
8a) W. Yang, J. Kim, O. Hutter, L. Phillips, J. Tan, J. Park, H. Lee, J. Major, J. Lee, J. Moon, Nat. Commun. 2020, 11, 861;
10.1038/s41467-020-14704-3
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) S. Wang, Y. Zhao, B. Che, C. Li, X. Chen, R. Tang, J. Gong, X. Wang, G. Chen, T. Chen, J. Li, X. Xiao, Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2206242;
10.1002/adma.202206242
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
c) X. Liu, J. Chen, M. Luo, M. Leng, Z. Xia, Y. Zhou, S. Qin, D.-J. Xue, L. Lv, H. Huang, D. Niu, J. Tang, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2014, 6, 10687;
10.1021/am502427s
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
d) S. Chen, T. Liu, M. Chen, M. Ishaq, R. Tang, Z. Zheng, Z. Su, X. Li, X. Qiao, P. Fan, G.-X. Liang, Nano Energy 2022, 99, 107417.
10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107417
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
9C. Chen, W. Li, Y. Zhou, C. Chen, M. Luo, X. Liu, K. Zeng, B. Yang, C. Zhang, J. Han, J. Tang, Appl. Phys. Lett. 2015, 107, 043905.
10.1063/1.4927741
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
10L. Wang, D.-B. Li, K. Li, C. Chen, H.-X. Deng, L. Gao, Y. Zhao, F. Jiang, L. Li, F. Huang, Y. He, H. Song, G. Niu, J. Tang, Nat. Energy 2017, 2, 17046.
10.1038/nenergy.2017.46
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
11Y. Zhou, Y. Li, J. Luo, D. Li, X. Liu, C. Chen, H. Song, J. Ma, D.-J. Xue, B. Yang, J. Tang, Appl. Phys. Lett. 2017, 111, 013901.
10.1063/1.4991539
Web of Science® Google Scholar
12a) S. Chen, T. Liu, M. Chen, M. Ishaq, R. Tang, Z. Zheng, Z. Su, X. Li, X. Qiao, P. Fan, G. Liang, Nat. Energy 2022, 99, 107417;
CAS Google Scholar
b) X. Jin, Y. Fang, T. Salim, M. Feng, S. Hadke, S. Leow, T. Sum, L. Wong, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2020, 30, 2002887.
10.1002/adfm.202002887
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
13Z. Li, X. Liang, G. Li, H. Zhang, J. Guo, J. Chen, K. Shen, X. San, W. Yu, R. Schropp, Y. Mai, Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 125.
10.1038/s41467-018-07903-6
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
14a) J. L. Pitters, P. G. Piva, X. Tong, R. A. Wolkow, Nano Lett. 2003, 3, 1431;
10.1021/nl034258+
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) J. Zheng, G. Zhu, X. Liu, H. Xie, Y. Lin, Y. Zeng, Y. Zhang, A. Gandi, Z. Qi, Z. Wang, H. Liang, ACS Energy Lett. 2022, 7, 4443.
10.1021/acsenergylett.2c02282
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
15a) A. R. Meyer, R. P. Chaukulkar, N. Leick, W. Nemeth, D. L. Young, P. Stradins, S. Agarwal, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2021, 4, 6629;
10.1021/acsanm.1c00448
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) L. Li, L. Ying, Y. Lin, X. Li, X. Zhou, G. Du, Y. Gao, W. Liu, L. Lu, J. Wang, L. Yang, S.-T. Zhang, D. Li, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022, 32, 2207158;
10.1002/adfm.202207158
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
c) L. Giacomazzi, N. S. Shcheblanov, M. E. Povarnitsyn, Y. Li, A. Mavrič, B. Zupančič, J. Grdadolnik, A. Pasquarello, Phys. Rev. Mater. 2023, 7, 045604.
10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.7.045604
CAS Google Scholar
16a) N. Pastukhova, A. Mavrič, Y. Li, Adv. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 8, 2002100;
10.1002/admi.202002100
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) A. Mavrič, M. Valant, C. Cui, Z. M. Wang, J. Non. Cryst. Solids 2019, 521, 119493.
10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2019.119493
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
17a) C. Ding, J. Shi, Z. Wang, C. Li, ACS Catal. 2017, 7, 1706;
10.1021/acscatal.7b00155
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) M. Yang, Y. Li, in Encyclopedia of Solid-Liquid Interfaces, Vol. 3 (Eds: K. Wandelt, G. Bussetti), Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2024, p. 1;
10.1016/B978-0-323-85669-0.00029-5
Google Scholar
c) C. Li, Z. Luo, T. Wang, J. Gong, Adv. Mater. 2018, 30, 1707502.
10.1002/adma.201707502
Web of Science® Google Scholar
18a) M. Chen, Y. Liu, C. Li, A. Li, X. Chang, W. Liu, Y. Sun, T. Wang, J. Gong, Energy Environ. Sci. 2018, 11, 2025;
10.1039/C7EE03650G
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) F. L. Formal, N. Tetreault, M. Cornuz, T. Moehl, M. Grätzel, K. Sivula, Chem. Sci. 2011, 2, 737.
10.1039/C0SC00578A
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
19a) H. S. Han, S. Shin, D. Kim, I. Park, J. Kim, P.-S. Huang, J.-K. Lee, I. Cho, X. Zheng, Energy Environ. Sci. 2018, 11, 1299;
10.1039/C8EE00125A
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) Z. Jin, Z. Hu, J. C. Yu, J. Wang, J. Mater. Chem. A 2016, 4, 13736.
10.1039/C6TA05274F
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
20a) L. Pan, S. Wang, J. Xie, L. Wang, X. Zhang, J.-J. Zou, Nano Energy 2016, 28, 296;
10.1016/j.nanoen.2016.08.054
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) D. Huang, K. Wang, L. Li, K. Feng, N. An, S. Ikeda, Y. Kuang, Y. Ng, F. Jiang, Energy Environ. Sci. 2021, 14, 1480.
10.1039/D0EE03892J
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
21M. Yang, H. He, J. Du, H. Peng, G. Ke, Y. Zhou, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2019, 10, 6159.
10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02365
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
22Y. F. Tay, S. Hadke, M. Zhang, N. Lim, S. Chiam, L. Wong, J. Mater. Chem. A 2020, 8, 8862.
10.1039/D0TA02042G
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
23R. Tang, X. Wang, C. Jiang, S. Li, W. Liu, H. Ju, S. Yang, C. Zhu, T. Chen, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2018, 10, 30314.
10.1021/acsami.8b08965
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
24Z. Cai, C.-M. Dai, S. Chen, Sol. RRL 2020, 4, 1900503.
10.1002/solr.201900503
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
25W. Lian, C. Jiang, Y. Yin, R. Tang, G. Li, L. Zhang, B. Che, T. Chen, Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 3260.
10.1038/s41467-021-23592-0
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
26a) H.-L. Lu, Y.-B. Li, M. Xu, S.-J. Ding, L. Sun, W. Zhang, L.-K. Wang, Chinese Phys. Lett. 2006, 23, 1929;
10.1088/0256-307X/23/7/075
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) H. J. Kim, K. L. Kearney, L. H. Le, R. T. Pekarek, M. J. Rose, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2015, 7, 8572.
10.1021/acsami.5b00376
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
27a) Y. Xiao, C. Feng, J. Fu, F. Wang, C. Li, V. Kunzelmann, C.-M. Jiang, M. Nakabayashi, N. Shibata, I. Sharp, K. Domen, Y. Li, Nat. Catal. 2020, 3, 932;
10.1038/s41929-020-00522-9
CAS Web of Science® Google Scholar
b) J. K. Kim, X. Shi, M. Jeong, J. Park, H. Han, S. Kim, Y. Guo, T. Heinz, S. Fan, C.-L. Lee, J. Park, X. Zheng, Adv. Energy Mater. 2018, 8, 1701765.
10.1002/aenm.201701765
Web of Science® Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume20, Issue31

August 1, 2024

2311644

Designing Atomic Interface in Sb₂S₃/CdS Heterojunction for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

Abstract

Conflict of Interest

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

Designing Atomic Interface in Sb2S3/CdS Heterojunction for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

Abstract

Conflict of Interest

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information

Designing Atomic Interface in Sb₂S₃/CdS Heterojunction for Efficient Solar Water Splitting