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Spontaneous Formation of >90% Optically Transmissive, Electrochemically Active CoP Films for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution

Kempler, Paul A. and Fu, Harold J. and Ifkovits, Zachary P. and Papadantonakis, Kimberly M. and Lewis, Nathan S. (2020) Spontaneous Formation of >90% Optically Transmissive, Electrochemically Active CoP Films for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 11 (1). pp. 14-20. ISSN 1948-7185. doi:10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02926. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20191203-081242656

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Abstract

Earth-abundant catalysts for the hydrogen-evolution reaction require increased mass loadings, relative to Pt films, to achieve comparable activity and stability in acidic electrolytes. We report herein that spontaneous nanostructuring of opaque, electrodeposited CoP films, 40–120 nm in thickness, leads to transparent electrocatalyst films that exhibit up to 90% optical transmission in the visible spectrum. The photocurrent density under simulated sunlight at a representative n+p-Si(100)/CoP photocathode increases by 200% after exposure to 0.50 M H₂SO₄ (aq) and remains stable for 12 h of continuous operation. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the film before and after exposure to 0.50 M H₂SO₄ (aq) validate an optical model for transparent CoP films as probed with spectroscopic ellipsometry.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02926DOIArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Kempler, Paul A.0000-0003-3909-1790
Fu, Harold J.0000-0001-9738-209X
Papadantonakis, Kimberly M.0000-0002-9900-5500
Lewis, Nathan S.0000-0001-5245-0538
Additional Information:© 2019 American Chemical Society. Received: October 3, 2019; Accepted: December 2, 2019; Published: December 2, 2019. This material is based upon work performed by the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, a DOE Energy Innovation Hub, supported through the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy under Award No. DE-SC0004993. AFM measurements were performed in the Molecular Materials Resource Center, supported by the Beckmann Institute at the California Institute of Technology. We thank T. Tiwald for helpful discussions on models for effective medium approximations and N. Dalleska for assistance with ICP-MS. The authors declare no competing financial interest.
Group:JCAP
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Department of Energy (DOE)DE-SC0004993
Caltech Beckman InstituteUNSPECIFIED
Subject Keywords:Photoelectrochemistry, Solar Fuels, Catalysts, Photocathode, Phosphides
Issue or Number:1
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02926
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20191203-081242656
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20191203-081242656
Official Citation:Spontaneous Formation of >90% Optically Transmissive, Electrochemically Active CoP Films for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution. Paul A. Kempler, Harold J. Fu, Zachary P. Ifkovits, Kimberly M. Papadantonakis, and Nathan S. Lewis. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2020 11 (1), 14-20. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02926
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:100159
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:03 Dec 2019 19:19
Last Modified:16 Nov 2021 17:52

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