Back-illuminated photoelectrochemical flow cell for efficient CO2 reduction

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34926-x
• Publication Date: 2022-11-19T14:02:58Z
• Authors: Bin Liu; Tuo Wang; Shujie Wang; Gong Zhang; Dazhong Zhong; Tenghui Yuan; Hao Dong; Bo Wu; Jinlong Gong
• Keywords: Passivation; Solar fuel

Photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction reaction flow cells are promising devices to meet the requirements produce solar fuels at industrial scale. Photoelectrodes with wide bandgaps do not allow for efficient high current densities, while integration of opaque photoelectrodes narrow in cell configurations still remains a challenge. This paper describes design and fabrication back-illuminated Si photoanode promoted PEC reaction. The illumination area catalytic sites photoelectrode decoupled, owing effective passivation defect states that allows long minority carrier diffusion length, surpasses thickness substrate. Hence, solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency CO 2.42% Faradaic 90% using Ag catalysts achieved. For C2+ products, 53% 0.29% achieved Cu catalyst cell.