Work

Hole transfer and photothermal effect of carbon layer on TiO2 photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Efficient utilization of light energy and charge transfer are both important factors for optimizing the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the photoanode. Herein, a CdS/C/TiO 2 photoanode was synthesized. A carbon layer with hole storage and transport function was inserted between the CdS/TiO 2 heterojunction to enhance the overall performance. Benefiting from the CdS/TiO 2 heterojunction and carbon layer (hole transport layer), the CdS/C/TiO 2 photoanode achieved a photocurrent density of 1.55 mA·cm −2 (1.23 V RHE ) and half-cell applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of 0.40 % (0.83 V RHE ), representing 10.3 times and 20 times enhancements over pristine TiO 2 , respectively. In addition, the inherent photothermal effect of the carbon layer assisted by near-infrared light further enhances the transfer of charge at the interface between the photoelectrode and electrolyte, and strengthens the driving force for water oxidation. This work presents a strategy with dual effects of hole transport and photothermal enhancement to improve PEC performance, which can also be widely applied to other photoelectrodes.

Source: Fuel

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136699