Unbiased photoelectrochemical tandem configuration for water splitting

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is an effective approach to generate the Renewable hydrogen energy. However, the overpotential is always existing due to thermodynamic and kinetic losses and applied bias is helpful to promote separation and transportation of charge carriers.To achieve a real clean hydrogen production, it is necessary to design and construct unbiased PEC configuration. In this review, we overviewed the research status and preparation strategies of the PEC tandem configuration for unbiased water splitting. We first introduced the fundamental properties of semiconductors and the properties of the semiconductor-electrolyte interface to help us better understand the latter content of charge carriers’ generation, separation, transportation and reaction. Then, we list some widely learned semiconductor materials using as photoanode and photocathode, many researchers have done much work to design and fabricate well-performed photoelectrodes. Based on the presentation of these materials, we summarize how to make an efficient and stable unbiased PEC configuration. Finally, a summrize and an outlook of PEC tandem configuration for unbiased water splitting are given.