Hot-carrier photocatalysts with energy-selective contacts based on quantum wells and dots

IF 3.6 2区物理与天体物理 Q2 PHYSICS, APPLIED Applied Physics Letters Pub Date : 2025-03-24 DOI:10.1063/5.0256536

Shuanglong Han, Zhiqiang Fan, Ousi Pan, Xiaohang Chen, Zhimin Yang, Yanchao Zhang, Jincan Chen, Shanhe Su

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Abstract

Two types of hot-carrier photocatalysts (HCPCs) based on quantum well and quantum dot energy-selective contacts (ESCs) have been proposed. The transport equations for both types of devices are derived using the ballistic transport theory. The electrocatalytic behavior of reaction sites in water splitting is modeled by using the Butler–Volmer equation. The impacts of the ESC parameters, including the extraction energy level and the transmission energy width, on the performance of HCPC devices have been investigated. The results indicate that the thermal losses from non-ideal ESCs significantly limit HCPC efficiency, which can be enhanced by optimizing ESC parameters. Comparisons show that HCPCs with quantum dot ESCs outperform those with quantum well ESCs, owing to their superior carrier transport capability and lower thermal loss rates. For an absorber bandgap of 1 eV, the optimized solar-to-H2 energy conversion efficiencies of the two HCPCs reach 62.34% and 64.93%, respectively, highlighting the promising application potential of these catalysts.

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基于量子阱和量子点的能量选择接触热载子光催化剂

提出了两种基于量子阱和量子点能量选择性接触（ESC）的热载流子光催化剂（HCPC）。利用弹道输运理论推导出了这两类器件的输运方程。利用 Butler-Volmer 方程模拟了水分离过程中反应位点的电催化行为。研究了包括提取能级和传输能宽在内的 ESC 参数对 HCPC 器件性能的影响。结果表明，非理想电调产生的热损耗极大地限制了 HCPC 的效率，而优化电调参数可以提高 HCPC 的效率。比较结果表明，采用量子点 ESC 的 HCPC 性能优于采用量子阱 ESC 的 HCPC，这是因为量子点 ESC 具有更强的载流子传输能力和更低的热损耗率。在吸收剂带隙为 1 eV 时，两种 HCPC 的优化太阳能-H2 能量转换效率分别达到 62.34% 和 64.93%，凸显了这些催化剂的巨大应用潜力。

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来源期刊

Applied Physics Letters 物理-物理：应用

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

10.00%

发文量

1821

审稿时长

1.6 months

期刊介绍： Applied Physics Letters (APL) features concise, up-to-date reports on significant new findings in applied physics. Emphasizing rapid dissemination of key data and new physical insights, APL offers prompt publication of new experimental and theoretical papers reporting applications of physics phenomena to all branches of science, engineering, and modern technology. In addition to regular articles, the journal also publishes invited Fast Track, Perspectives, and in-depth Editorials which report on cutting-edge areas in applied physics. APL Perspectives are forward-looking invited letters which highlight recent developments or discoveries. Emphasis is placed on very recent developments, potentially disruptive technologies, open questions and possible solutions. They also include a mini-roadmap detailing where the community should direct efforts in order for the phenomena to be viable for application and the challenges associated with meeting that performance threshold. Perspectives are characterized by personal viewpoints and opinions of recognized experts in the field. Fast Track articles are invited original research articles that report results that are particularly novel and important or provide a significant advancement in an emerging field. Because of the urgency and scientific importance of the work, the peer review process is accelerated. If, during the review process, it becomes apparent that the paper does not meet the Fast Track criterion, it is returned to a normal track.