An analysis of the optimal band gaps of light absorbers in integrated tandem photoelectrochemical water-splitting systems

被引:478
作者
Hu, Shu [1 ,5 ]
Xiang, Chengxiang [1 ,5 ]
Haussener, Sophia [2 ,4 ]
Berger, Alan D. [3 ,4 ]
Lewis, Nathan S. [1 ,5 ]
机构
[1] CALTECH, Div Chem & Chem Engn, Noyes Lab 201, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA
[2] Ecole Polytech Fed Lausanne, Inst Engn Mech, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
[3] Univ Calif Berkeley, Dept Chem & Biomol Engn, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
[4] Univ Calif Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley Natl Lab, Joint Ctr Artificial Photosynth, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
[5] CALTECH, Joint Ctr Artificial Photosynth, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA
关键词
OXYGEN-EVOLUTION; HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION; VISIBLE-LIGHT; CONVERSION EFFICIENCY; LIMITING EFFICIENCIES; ENERGY-CONVERSION; SOLAR; ELECTROCATALYSTS; ELECTROLYSIS; NI;
D O I
10.1039/c3ee40453f
中图分类号
O6 [化学];
学科分类号
0703 ;
摘要
The solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency limits, along with the maximum efficiency values and the corresponding optimal band gap combinations, have been evaluated for various combinations of light absorbers arranged in a tandem configuration in realistic, operational water-splitting prototypes. To perform the evaluation, a current-voltage model was employed, with the light absorbers, electrocatalysts, solution electrolyte, and membranes coupled in series, and with the directions of optical absorption, carrier transport, electron transfer and ionic transport in parallel. The current density vs. voltage characteristics of the light absorbers were determined by detailed-balance calculations that accounted for the Shockley-ueisser limit on the photovoltage of each absorber. The maximum STH efficiency for an integrated photoelectrochemical system was found to be similar to 31.1% at 1 Sun (=1 kWm(-2), air mass 1.5), fundamentally limited by a matching photocurrent density of 25.3 mA cm(-2) produced by the light absorbers. Choices of electrocatalysts, as well as the fill factors of the light absorbers and the Ohmic resistance of the solution electrolyte also play key roles in determining the maximum STH efficiency and the corresponding optimal tandem band gap combination. Pairing 1.6-1.8 eV band gap semiconductors with Si in a tandem structure produces promising light absorbers for water splitting, with theoretical STH efficiency limits of > 25%.
引用
收藏
页码:2984 / 2993
页数:10
相关论文
共 45 条
[1]   Photocatalytic overall water splitting under visible light by TaON and WO3 with an IO3 -/I- shuttle redox mediator [J].
Abe, R ;
Takata, T ;
Sugihara, H ;
Domen, K .
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 2005, (30) :3829-3831
[2]   Robust dye-sensitized overall water splitting system with two-step photoexcitation of coumarin dyes and metal oxide semiconductors [J].
Abe, Ryu ;
Shinmei, Kenichi ;
Hara, Kohjiro ;
Ohtani, Bunsho .
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 2009, (24) :3577-3579
[3]   Mobility and fill factor correlation in geminate recombination limited solar cells [J].
Andersson, L. Mattias ;
Mueller, Christian ;
Badada, Bekele H. ;
Zhang, Fengling ;
Wuerful, Uli ;
Inganas, Olle .
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, 2011, 110 (02)
[4]  
[Anonymous], ENERGY ENV SCI
[5]  
[Anonymous], 2004, SUMMARY ELECTROLYTIC
[6]   PEM electrolysis for production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources [J].
Barbir, F .
SOLAR ENERGY, 2005, 78 (05) :661-669
[7]   Comparing Photosynthetic and Photovoltaic Efficiencies and Recognizing the Potential for Improvement [J].
Blankenship, Robert E. ;
Tiede, David M. ;
Barber, James ;
Brudvig, Gary W. ;
Fleming, Graham ;
Ghirardi, Maria ;
Gunner, M. R. ;
Junge, Wolfgang ;
Kramer, David M. ;
Melis, Anastasios ;
Moore, Thomas A. ;
Moser, Christopher C. ;
Nocera, Daniel G. ;
Nozik, Arthur J. ;
Ort, Donald R. ;
Parson, William W. ;
Prince, Roger C. ;
Sayre, Richard T. .
SCIENCE, 2011, 332 (6031) :805-809
[8]   Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Using Si Microwire Arrays [J].
Boettcher, Shannon W. ;
Warren, Emily L. ;
Putnam, Morgan C. ;
Santori, Elizabeth A. ;
Turner-Evans, Daniel ;
Kelzenberg, Michael D. ;
Walter, Michael G. ;
McKone, James R. ;
Brunschwig, Bruce S. ;
Atwater, Harry A. ;
Lewis, Nathan S. .
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 2011, 133 (05) :1216-1219
[9]   LIMITING AND REALIZABLE EFFICIENCIES OF SOLAR PHOTOLYSIS OF WATER [J].
BOLTON, JR ;
STRICKLER, SJ ;
CONNOLLY, JS .
NATURE, 1985, 316 (6028) :495-500
[10]  
Brillet J, 2012, NAT PHOTONICS, V6, P823, DOI [10.1038/nphoton.2012.265, 10.1038/NPHOTON.2012.265]