Solar Hydrogen Production with Antimony Selenide Thin Film Photoelectrodes

Antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) is a highly promising material for practical large-scale water splitting due to its low cost, appropriate bandgap (~1 eV), excellent charge transport properties, ease of synthesis, and resistance to photocorrosion in strongly acidic environments. In this presentation, I will explore several methods for fabricating antimony selenide thin film photocathodes and various treatments to enhance their performance. One method involves the selenization of electrodeposited antimony metal films, resulting in thin films with a favorable orientation for charge transport to the semiconductor/electrolyte interface. To address the main challenge of improving photovoltage, post-synthesis etching and doping treatments are employed. Another method involves a hydrothermal synthesis process, with strategies for doping the material during synthesis, which significantly enhances performance. I will conclude with a perspective on photoelectrochemical (PEC) research in the context of large-scale water electrolysis.