Solar-driven hydrogen production is one of the most promising strategies for solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion. Compared to inorganic quantum dots (QDs), carbon quantum dots (C-dots) have attracted a lot of attention for optoelectronic devices due to their structure-dependent optical properties and green composition. However, the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of most of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices based on colloidal QDs is still low. Here we demonstrated a highly efficient and stable ecofriendly PEC device using C-dots sensitized TiO2 photoanode, Pt loaded on carbon nanofibers as counter electrode, and glucose aqueous solution as electrolyte. The red-color C-dots were prepared using a solvothermal reaction, with an absorption spectrum ranging from 300 to 600 nm and a quantum yield (QY) of 50%. The C-dots have excitation independent photoluminescence peak positions and highly crystalline structure. The hydroxyl group on the C-dots can strongly interact with the TiO2, forming a very stable complex. Benefiting from these features, the PEC devices based on C-dots exhibit a saturated photocurrent density as high as ~4 mA/cm2 at 0.6 V vs. RHE and the device is very stable (keeping 95% of its initial value after 10-hour illumination upon 100 mW/cm2). This work indicates the promising properties of the C-dots/TiO2 system, which holds huge potential for applications in the fields of optoelectronic and catalytic devices.

Colloidal Carbon Quantum Dots as light absorber for Efficient and Stable Ecofriendly Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation

Vomiero, Alberto
;
2021-01-01

Abstract

Solar-driven hydrogen production is one of the most promising strategies for solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion. Compared to inorganic quantum dots (QDs), carbon quantum dots (C-dots) have attracted a lot of attention for optoelectronic devices due to their structure-dependent optical properties and green composition. However, the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of most of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices based on colloidal QDs is still low. Here we demonstrated a highly efficient and stable ecofriendly PEC device using C-dots sensitized TiO2 photoanode, Pt loaded on carbon nanofibers as counter electrode, and glucose aqueous solution as electrolyte. The red-color C-dots were prepared using a solvothermal reaction, with an absorption spectrum ranging from 300 to 600 nm and a quantum yield (QY) of 50%. The C-dots have excitation independent photoluminescence peak positions and highly crystalline structure. The hydroxyl group on the C-dots can strongly interact with the TiO2, forming a very stable complex. Benefiting from these features, the PEC devices based on C-dots exhibit a saturated photocurrent density as high as ~4 mA/cm2 at 0.6 V vs. RHE and the device is very stable (keeping 95% of its initial value after 10-hour illumination upon 100 mW/cm2). This work indicates the promising properties of the C-dots/TiO2 system, which holds huge potential for applications in the fields of optoelectronic and catalytic devices.
2021
86
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/3740070
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