April 22 - 26, 2024
Seattle, Washington
May 7 - 9, 2024 (Virtual)
Symposium Supporters
2024 MRS Spring Meeting
EN11.03.09

Enhancing Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production with Nanocone-Structured Z-Scheme Photocatalysts

When and Where

Apr 24, 2024
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Flex Hall C, Level 2, Summit

Presenter(s)

Co-Author(s)

Jihun Kim1,Ryun Na Kim1,Sungwan Kwon1,HyungYong Ji1,Jeongyeol Kim1,Whi Dong Kim1

Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH1

Abstract

Jihun Kim1,Ryun Na Kim1,Sungwan Kwon1,HyungYong Ji1,Jeongyeol Kim1,Whi Dong Kim1

Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH1
Z-scheme photocatalysts have emerged as a promising solution to address the efficiency challenges in solar-assisted water splitting, thanks to their capability to efficiently absorb visible light and maintain the essential charge potential required for overall water splitting. To ensure the successful operation of Z-scheme photocatalysts, it is crucial that the two constituent photocatalysts and the charge recombination layer are precisely arranged in a specific sequential order. However, previous research has predominantly utilized Z-scheme photocatalysts in a randomly mixed configuration, thereby preventing the full exploitation of the unique attributes inherent to Z-scheme photocatalysts.<br/> <br/>This study demonstrates fabrication of a nanocone-structured BiVO4/SrTiO3 Z-scheme photocatalytic thin film, enabling effective Z-scheme charge transfer. The fabrication process involves the preparation of a nanocone BiVO4 structure on a glass substrate, the formation of a BiVO4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite nanocone structure, and the deposition of SrTiO3 nanoparticles to form BiVO4-RGO-SrTiO3 Z-scheme photocatalyst. The resulting structure comprises BiVO4, RGO, and SrTiO3 arranged sequentially. A comparative analysis between randomly mixed Z-scheme photocatalysts and the arranged Z-scheme photocatalyst demonstrates a significant enhancement in hydrogen production efficiency for the latter, underscoring the pivotal role of precise arrangement in Z-scheme photocatalysis.<br/> <br/>Additionally, the study investigates how the superhydrophobic surface properties of the nanocone structure influence the capture of hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles generated during the water splitting reaction in photocatalyst module. The nanocone-structured Z-scheme thin film efficiently captures gas bubbles due to its superhydrophobic surface characteristics, while the randomly mixed Z-scheme photocatalyst experiences reduced gas bubble detachment, resulting in decreased photocatalyst production efficiency.<br/> <br/>This study underscores the importance of meticulous Z-scheme photocatalyst arrangement and highlights the advantages of the nanocone structure in improving gas bubble capture during the water splitting process, thus contributing to the advancement of photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Keywords

x-ray diffraction (XRD)

Symposium Organizers

Andrea Crovetto, Technical University of Denmark
Annie Greenaway, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Xiaojing Hao, Univ of New South Wales
Vladan Stevanovic, Colorado School of Mines

Session Chairs

Annie Greenaway
Vladan Stevanovic

In this Session