Photoelectrochemical CO₂ reduction in tandem photoelectrode cells: interpretation of apparent photocurrents

Ondertitel:interpretation of apparent photocurrents

Photoelectrochemical reactors harness solar energy to accelerate heterogeneous chemical reactions and reduce power consumption for a given reaction rate. The tandem photoelectrochemical cell design presented here employs a light penetrable TiO2 photoanode||Cu2O photocathode configuration that enables carbon dioxide turnover at limited cell voltages. During polarization tests, the tandem configuration demonstrated a photocurrent density of 0.2 mA/cm2 at a cell voltage of -2.6 V. That is 2-fold higher than the photocurrent density obtained with a solo photoanode (Cu||TiO2) and five orders of magnitude higher compared to the solo photocathode (Cu2O||Ni) design. Moreover, electrolysis under illumination (photoelectrolysis) showed a current density increase of 3.9 mA/cm2 with respect to electrolysis in the dark. However, this photocurrent density was merely apparent and was caused by light-triggered changes in the surface morphology and phase of Cu2O, which in turn affected the catalytic response. Moreover, the apparent partial ethylene photocurrent density and total partial current density during photoelectrolysis was 44 %, the highest among the detected products. That selectivity is attributed to the combined effect of Cu2O photoreduction and the associated local pH rise at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Jaar van publicatie:2024

Trefwoorden:Physics, Fysische scheikunde

Toegankelijkheid:Open