GaN:ZnO solid solution as a photocatalyst for visible-light-driven overall water splitting

Photocatalytic overall water splitting has been studied extensively from the viewpoint of solar energy conversion. Despite numerous attempts, none have yielded satisfactory results for the development of photocatalysts, which work under visible light irradiation to efficiently utilize solar energy. We report here the first example of visible-light-driven overall water splitting on a novel oxynitride photocatalyst, a solid solution of GaN and ZnO with a band gap of 2.58-2.76 eV, modified with RuO2 nanoparticles. In contrast to the conventional non-oxide photocatalysts, such as CdS, the solid solution is stable during the overall water splitting reaction. This is the first example of achieving overall water splitting by a photocatalyst with a band gap in the visible light region, which opens the possibility of new non-oxide-type photocatalysts for energy conversion.     

Progress of transition metal chalcogenides as efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion

The continuous excessive usage of fossil fuels has resulted in its fast depletion, leading to an escalating energy crisis as well as several environmental issues leading to increased research towards sustainable energy conversion. Electrocatalysts play crucial role in the development of numerous novel energy conversion devices, including fuel cells and solar fuel generators. In particular, high-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts are required for large-scale implementation of these new devices. Over the last few years, transition metal chalcogenides have emerged as highly efficient electrocatalysts for several electrochemical devices such as water splitting, carbon dioxide electroreduction, and, solar energy converters. These transition metal chalcogenides exhibit high electrochemical tunability, abundant active sites, and superior electrical conductivity. Hence, they have been actively explored for various electrocatalytic activities. Herein, we have provided comprehensive review of transition-metal chalcogenide electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and carbon dioxide reduction and illustrated structure–property correlation that increases their catalytic activity.     

Advances in efficient electrocatalysts based on layered double hydroxides and their derivatives

The explore and development of electrocatalysts have gained significant attention due to their indispensable status in energy storage and conversion systems, such as fuel cells, metal–air batteries and solar water splitting cells. Layered double hydroxides(LDHs) and their derivatives(e.g., transition metal alloys, oxides, sulfides, nitrides and phosphides) have been adopted as catalysts for various electrochemical reactions, such as oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution, and CO_2 reduction, which show excellent activity and remarkable durability in electrocatalytic process. In this review, the synthesis strategies, structural characters and electrochemical performances for the LDHs and their derivatives are described. In addition, we also discussed the effect of electronic and geometry structures to their electrocatalytic activity. The further development of high-performance electrocatalysts based on LDHs and their derivatives is covered by both a short summary and future outlook from the viewpoint of the material design and practical application.     

A new photoanode architecture of dye sensitized solar cell based on ZnO nanotetrapods with no need for calcination

We introduce a photoanode architecture in dye sensitized solar cell comprising building blocks of ZnO nanotetrapods with a mean arm diameter of 40 nm and arm lengths of 500–800 nm. This photoanode features a decent roughness factor up to 400, good network forming ability and limited electron-hopping interjunctions. Even without calcination, a power conversion efficiency up to 3.27% (under 100 mW cm^?2) has been achieved at a film thickness of 31.2 μm. The avoidance of the calcination step is an outstanding feat for flexible solar cells. We have also employed impedance spectroscopy to interpret the solar cell performance features.     

Material and Interface Engineering for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells: A Personal Journey and Perspective

Hybrid organic‐inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a shining star in the photovoltaic field due to their spectacular increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 3.8 % to over 23 % in just few years, opening up the potential in addressing the important future energy and environment issues. The excellent photovoltaic performance can be attributed to the unique properties of the organometal halide perovskite materials, including high absorption coefficient, tunable bandgap, high defect tolerance, and excellent charge transport characteristics. The authors entered this field when pursuing research on dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) by leveraging nanorods arrays for vectorial transport of the extracted electrons. Soon after, we and others realized that while the organometal halide perovskite materials have excellent intrinsic properties for solar cells, interface engineering is at least equally important in the development of high‐performance PSCs, which includes surface defect passivation, band alignment, and heterojunction formation. Herein, we will address this topic by presenting the historical development and recent progress on the interface engineering of PSCs primarily of our own group. This review is mainly focused on the material and interface design of the conventional n‐i‐p, inverted p‐i‐n and carbon electrode‐based structure devices from our own experience and perspective. Finally, the challenges and prospects of this area for future development will also be discussed.     

The Application of Graphene and Its Derivatives to Energy Conversion,Storage, and Environmental and Biosensing Devices

Graphene (GR) and its derivatives are promising materials on the horizon of nanotechnology and material science and have attracted a tremendous amount of research interest in recent years. The unique atom‐thick 2D structure with sp² hybridization and large specific surface area, high thermal conductivity, superior electron mobility, and chemical stability have made GR and its derivatives extremely attractive components for composite materials for solar energy conversion, energy storage, environmental purification, and biosensor applications. This review gives a brief introduction of GR's unique structure, band structure engineering, physical and chemical properties, and recent energy‐related progress of GR‐based materials in the fields of energy conversion (e.g., photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical water splitting, CO₂ reduction, dye‐sensitized and organic solar cells, and photosensitizers in photovoltaic devices) and energy storage (batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors). The vast coverage of advancements in environmental applications of GR‐based materials for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, gas sensing, and removal of heavy‐metal ions is presented. Additionally, the use of graphene composites in the biosensing field is discussed. We conclude the review with remarks on the challenges, prospects, and further development of GR‐based materials in the exciting fields of energy, environment, and bioscience.     

Efficient solar generation of hydrogen fuel – a fundamental analysis

Solar water splitting can provide clean, renewable sources of hydrogen fuel, although prior models had indicated only low conversion efficiencies would be attainable. A novel model is derived for electrochemical solar water splitting processes by semiconductors, which is the first derivation of band edge restricted thermal enhanced solar water splitting efficiencies. A theoretical basis is developed for solar energy conversion efficiencies in the 50% range as determined with contemporary thermodynamic values. The theory combines photodriven charge transfer, with excess sub-bandgap insolation to lower the water potential, providing a process of highly efficient elevated temperature solar electrolysis of water to hydrogen fuel.     

Indium-doped ZnOas efficient photosensitive material for sunlight driven hydrogen generation and DSSC applications: integrated experimental and computational approach

Electricity generation using simple and cheap dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalytic water splitting to produce future fuel, hydrogen, directly under natural sunlight fascinated the researchers worldwide. Herein, synthesis of indium-doped wurtzite ZnO nanostructures with varying molar percentage of indium from 0.25 to 3.0% with concomitant characterization indicating wurtzite structure is reported. The shift of (002) reflection plane to higher 2θ degree with increase in indium-doping thus is a clear evidence of doping of indium in zinc oxide nanoparticles. Surface morphological as well as microstructural studies of In@ZnO exhibited generation of ZnO nanoparticles and nanoplates of diameter 10–30 nm. The structures have been correlated well using computational density functional (DFT) studies. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy depicted the extended absorbance of these materials in the visible region. Hence, the photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen generation from water under natural sunlight as well as efficient DSSC fabrication of these newly synthesized materials has been demonstrated. In-doped ZnO exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution (2465 μmol/h/g) via water splitting under natural sunlight. DSSC fabricated using 2% In-doped ZnO exhibited an efficiency of 3.46% which is higher than other reported In-doped ZnO based DSSCs.

     

Integrating Perovskite Solar Cells into a Flexible Fiber

Perovskite solar cells have triggered a rapid development of new photovoltaic devices because of high energy conversion efficiencies and their all‐solid‐state structures. To this end, they are particularly useful for various wearable and portable electronic devices. Perovskite solar cells with a flexible fiber structure were now prepared for the first time by continuously winding an aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube sheet electrode onto a fiber electrode; photoactive perovskite materials were incorporated in between them through a solution process. The fiber‐shaped perovskite solar cell exhibits an energy conversion efficiency of 3.3 %, which remained stable on bending. The perovskite solar cell fibers may be woven into electronic textiles for large‐scale application by well‐developed textile technologies.     

层状双金属氢氧化物/石墨烯复合材料及其在电化学能量存储与转换中的应用

高效的电化学能量存储与转换功能材料及其器件近年来受到了人们的广泛关注。层状双金属氢氧化物/石墨烯（LDH/G）复合物就是一类重要的能源材料。它们兼具LDH和石墨烯的优异的物理、化学性能,同时克服了LDH导电性差和石墨烯片易于团聚的问题;在超级电容器和电化学催化分解水等方面具有广泛应用。本文综述了LDH与化学修饰石墨烯（氧化石墨烯,还原氧化石墨烯及其衍生物）的有效复合的方法及其在电化学能量存储与转换领域中的应用,特别是关于基于该类材料的超级电容器及电化学析氧反应催化的研究;对LDH/G复合材料研究领域中的挑战和未来发展方向做了展望。     

石墨烯基催化剂的设计合成与电催化应用

为了解决能源匮乏和环境污染的问题,研究人员正致力于寻找清洁可持续的新能源。 其中,氧气还原、氧气析出、析氢反应等是紧密联系新型清洁能源获取和存贮的重要电化学反应。 为了提高其能量转化效率,电催化剂(如碳载铂Pt/C)被广泛地用于降低其反应活化能、提高能量转化效率。 近年来,石墨烯作为一种具有高比表面积和优异导电性的二维碳材料受到了广泛关注。 通过表面杂原子掺杂、缺陷调控和引入催化活性组分等方式,获得了催化性能与贵金属催化剂相媲美,且低价格和高稳定性的非贵金属石墨烯基催化材料。 针对氧气还原、氧气析出和析氢反应在燃料电池、金属-空气电池和电催化水分解中的应用,本文概括综述了通过表/界面结构性质调控提高石墨烯电催化性能和稳定性,获得具有双功能或复合催化性能的石墨烯基催化剂的最新研究进展。 最后总结和展望了亟待解决的问题及未来的发展趋势。     

TiO2/ZnO薄膜电极中光生电子的传输及其在太阳电池中的应用

制备了TiO2纳米颗粒和ZnO纳米棒混合的多孔薄膜电极, 利用瞬态光电压技术研究了染料敏化TiO2/ZnO薄膜中光生载流子的传输特性. 实验结果表明, ZnO纳米棒增加了薄膜中自由电子扩散速率, 减小了复合几率, 改善了能量转换效率.     

2D MXenes Nanosheets for Advanced Energy Conversion and Storage Devices: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Since the initial MXenes were discovered in 2011, several MXene compositions constructed using combinations of various transition metals have been developed. MXenes are ideal candidates for different applications in energy conversion and storage, because of their unique and interesting characteristics, which included good electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and simplicity of large-scale synthesis. Herein, we study the current developments in two-dimensional (2D) MXene nanosheets for energy storage and conversion technologies. First, we discuss the introduction to energy storage and conversion devices. Later, we emphasized on 2D MXenes and some specific properties of MXenes. Subsequently, research advances in MXene-based electrode materials for energy storage such as supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries is summarized. We provide the relevant energy storage processes, common challenges, and potential approaches to an acceptable solution for 2D MXene-based energy storage. In addition, recent advances for MXenes used in energy conversion devices like solar cells, fuel cells and catalysis is also summarized. Finally, the future prospective of growing MXene-based energy conversion and storage are highlighted.     

Surface functionalization of ZnO nanotetrapods with photoactive and electroactive organic monolayers

Two strategies have been explored for organic functionalizations of ZnO nanotetrapods via anchoring groups of carboxylate and phosphonate. With these methods, oleyl chains were assembled on the surfaces of the ZnO nanotetrapods, significantly enhancing their solubility in nonpolar solvents, such as chloroform and toluene. The surface functionalization strategies have been extended to electroactive and photoactive molecules such as protoporphyrin and C(60) on the ZnO nanotetrapods. The surface-modified ZnO nanotetrapods were characterized comprehensively, revealing a uniform, covalently linked monolayer assembled on the surface. This work opens a broad perspective for the application of the organically functionalized nanotetrapods in optoelectronics and biomedicine.     

太阳能分解水制氢最近进展:光催化、光电催化及光伏-光电耦合途径

能源是人类生存和发展的物质基础,太阳能作为最丰富的清洁可再生能源之一,其开发利用受到了世界范围内的广泛关注.通过光催化分解水制氢将太阳能以化学能的形式储存起来不仅能利用太阳能制取高燃烧值的氢能,同时氢能可与CO2综合利用结合起来,在减少碳排放的同时,生成高附加值的化学品,实现碳氢资源的优化利用.光催化分解水制氢在过去的几年里取得了长足的进步,本综述从三种研究广泛的太阳能光催化分解水制氢途径(即光催化、光电催化以及光伏-光电耦合途径)入手,分别简要介绍了太阳能分解水制氢在近几年取得的最新研究进展.利用纳米粒子悬浮体系进行光催化分解水制氢成本低廉、易于规模化放大,被认为是未来应用最可行的方式之一,但是太阳能转化利用效率还偏低.最新报道的SrTiO3:La,Rh/Au/BiVO4:Mo光催化剂其太阳能到氢能(STH)转化效率已超过了1.0%,相比之前报道的大多数光催化剂体系有了数量级的飞跃,让人们对太阳能光催化分解水制氢未来的规模化应用看到了希望.高效宽光谱响应的光催化剂、高效电荷分离策略、新型高效助催化剂以及气体分离新方法和新材料等,均是粉末光催化剂体系研究最为关键的问题;光电催化分解水在过去2–3年内发展迅速,在一些典型的光阳极半导体材料(如BiVO4和Ta3N5等)体系上太阳能利用效率超过2.0%以上.最新研究发现,在Ta3N5光阳极的研究中,通过在光电极表面合理设计和构筑空穴传输层和电子阻挡层等策略,光电流和电极稳定性均可得到大幅度提升,光电流大小甚至可接近Ta3N5材料的理论极限电流.如果能进一步在过电位和电极稳定性上取得突破,该体系的STH转化效率还会得到大幅度改进.此外,光阴极的研究也越来越受到了研究者的关注;光伏-光电耦合体系在三种途径里面太阳能制氢效率最高,在多个体系上已超过10%以上,最近报道的利用多结GaInP/GaAs/Ge电池与Ni电催化剂耦合,其太阳能制氢效率可达到22.4%.虽然该种制氢途径的效率已超过其工业化应用的要求,但是光伏电池的成本(尤其是多结GaAs太阳电池)极大限制了其大面积规模化应用,同时还要考虑电催化剂的成本和效率等,光伏-光电耦合制氢是成本最高的太阳能制氢途径.需要指出的是,光伏-光电耦合制氢有望在一些特殊的领域最先取得实际应用,如为外太空航天器、远洋航海以及孤立海岛等传统能源无法满足的地方提供能源供给.总之,太阳能分解水制氢研究取得了一系列重要进展,太阳能制氢效率得到了大幅度提升,也是目前世界范围内关注的研究热点之一,不仅具有强的潜在工业应用背景,更为基础科学提供了诸多新的研究课题.这一极具挑战的研究领域,在先进技术快速发展和基础科学问题认识不断提高的基础上,不久的将来,有望在不久的将来在基础科学和应用研究方面取得重大突破.     

Covalent Organic Frameworks for Energy Conversion in Photocatalysis

Intensifying energy crises and severe environmental issues have led to the discovery of renewable energy sources, sustainable energy conversion, and storage technologies. Photocatalysis is a green technology that converts eco-friendly solar energy into high-energy chemicals. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous materials constructed by covalent bonds that show promising potential for converting solar energy into chemicals owing to their pre-designable structures, high crystallinity, and porosity. Herein, we highlight recent progress in the synthesis of COF-based photocatalysts and their applications in water splitting, CO₂ reduction, and H₂O₂ production. The challenges and future opportunities for the rational design of COFs for advanced photocatalysts are discussed. This Review is expected to promote further development of COFs toward photocatalysis.     

Recent advances in one-dimensional nanostructures for energy electrocatalysis

Catalysts play decisive roles in determining the energy conversion efficiencies of energy devices. Up to now, various types of nanostructured materials have been studied as advanced electrocatalysts. This review highlights the application of one-dimensional (1D) metal electrocatalysts in energy conversion, focusing on two important reaction systems—direct methanol fuel cells and water splitting. In this review, we first give a broad introduction of electrochemical energy conversion. In the second section, we summarize the recent significant advances in the area of 1D metal nanostructured electrocatalysts for the electrochemical reactions involved in fuel cells and water splitting systems, including the oxygen reduction reaction, methanol oxidation reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and oxygen evolution reaction. Finally, based on the current studies on 1D nanostructures for energy electrocatalysis, we present a brief outlook on the research trend in 1D nanoelectrocatalysts for the two clean electrochemical energy conversion systems mentioned above.     

Improved performance of dye sensitized ZnO nanorod solar cells prepared using TiO2 seed layer

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods of different structures have been grown on indium-doped tin oxide substrates by using TiO₂ as seed layer. The ZnO nanorods have been prepared using TiO₂ seed layers annealed at different temperatures via a simple sol–gel method. The X-ray diffraction result indicates that the prepared samples are of wurtzite structure. Dye sensitized solar cells have been fabricated using the prepared ZnO nanorods. The open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency of the ZnO nanorod based dye sensitized solar cells prepared using TiO₂ seed layers annealed at different temperatures have been determined. The improvement in power conversion efficiency may be due to the flower like structured ZnO nanorods with smaller diameter and large specific surface area which paves way for the efficient electron transfer in hybrid solar cells.     

Research Progress of Ferrite Materials for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is an effective strategy to convert solar energy into clean and renewable hydrogen energy.In order to carry out effective PEC conversion,researchers have conducted a lot of exploration and developed a variety of semiconductors suitable for PEC water splitting.Among them,metal oxides stand out due to their higher stability.Compared with traditional oxide semiconductors,ferrite-based photoelectrodes have the advantages of low cost,small band gap,and good stability.Interestingly,due to the unique characteristics of ferrite,most of them have various tunable features,which will be more conducive to the development of efficient PEC electrode.However,this complex metal oxide is also troubled by severe charge recombination and low carrier transport efficiency,resulting in lower conversion efficiency compared to theoretical value.Based on this,this article reviews the structure,preparation methods,characteristics and modification strategies of various common ferrites.In addition,we analyzed the future research direction of ferrite for PEC water splitting,and looked forward to the development of more efficient catalysts.     

ZnO纳米棒阵列到纳米管结构的自转化机制及其在相变封装材料中的应用

In the emerging field of nanoscience, tubular structures have been attracting remarkable interest due to their well-defined geometry, high specific area, and exceptional physical and chemical properties. Among them, oriented ZnO tubular arrays are regarded as promising candidates for various applications such as optoelectronics, solar cells, sensors, field emission, piezoelectrics, and catalysis. Although template-directed and selective dissolution synthesizing strategies are commonly used to prepare ZnO nanotubes, repeatability and large scale preparation are still challenging. In this study, ZnO nanotube arrays were controllably prepared by tuning the hydrothermal parameters, without the use of any additives. The mechanism underlying the self-conversion of ZnO nanorods to nanotubes was comprehensively studied based on the surface energy theory. It has been proved that the metastable top surface of the ZnO nanorods dissolves preferentially to reach a stable state during the hydrothermal growth. The specific surface energy of different crystal faces of ZnO nanorods was calculated using molecular dynamics simulation. The top surface of the ZnO nanorod, the Zn-terminated [0001] face, demonstrated much higher surface free energy than did the lateral faces, which indicated that the self-dissolution of top face (002) is energetically favorable. The self-conversion behavior of ZnO nanorod arrays with different diameters was specifically investigated by adjusting the initial precursor concentration, density of the crystal seed layers, and growth time. The dissolution-crystallization equilibrium concentration, determined by crystal surface energy, was found to be a key factor for the formation of the tubular structure. Notably, the critical equilibrium conditions for the self-conversion of ZnO nanorods to nanotubes, including zinc ion concentration and pH, have been identified by studying parameters corresponding to the dissolution-crystallization equilibrium for the metastable top surface of the ZnO nanorods. The preparation of the ZnO nanotube arrays was successfully accelerated and simplified via two-step procedure: (1) preparation of ZnO nanorod arrays and (2) self-conversion of ZnO nanorods to nanotubes. The preparation method based on the self-conversion mechanism from rods to tubes for polar oxides is simpler and more easily controllable as compared to the reported methods involving variety of additives. Because of the advantages of adaptability to a wide range of substrates, excellent conducting properties, and filling ability, the prepared ZnO nanotube array films were used in encapsulating phase-change materials. The encapsulated phase-change material exhibited excellent heat storage/release properties and heat conductivities. This indicates the potential application of precision devices for temperature control.