Abstract
A gold-coupled ZnTe/ZnO-nanowire array is a new photocathode for selective CO2 reduction to CO. At -0.7 VRHE under simulated 1 sun illumination, its photocurrent (-16.0 mA cm-2) and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (97%) represent the highest among reported ZnTe photocathodes for CO2 reduction and dramatic enhancement from those of a bare electrode (-7.9 mA cm-2, 68%). In addition, the Au nanoparticles convert mainly-hydrogen-producing bare ZnTe/ZnO-nanowires into mainly-CO-producing photocathodes in photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction. The remarkable effects of the Au co-catalyst originate from the formation of a Schottky junction with ZnTe to improve charge separation and to provide reaction centers for CO2 reduction suppressing competing water reduction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3597-3604 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Energy and Environmental Science |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 Dec |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Chemistry
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
- Pollution