Surface Composition Impacts Selectivity of ZnTe Photocathodes in Photoelectrochemical CO Reduction Reaction

Overview

Journal ACS Energy Lett

Publisher American Chemical Society

Date 2025 Jan 16

PMID 39816620

Authors

Guosong Zeng

Guiji Liu

Gabriele Panzeri

Chanyeon Kim

Chengyu Song

Olivia J Alley

Alexis T Bell

Adam Z Weber

Francesca M Toma

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Light-driven reduction of CO into chemicals using a photoelectrochemical (PEC) approach is considered as a promising way to meet the carbon neutral target. The very top surface of the photoelectrode and semiconductor/electrolyte interface plays a pivotal role in defining the performance for PEC CO reduction. However, such impact remains poorly understood. Here, we report an electrodeposition-annealing route for tailoring surface composition of ZnTe photocathodes. Our work demonstrates that a Zn-rich surface on the ZnTe photocathode is essential to impact the CO reduction activity and selectivity. In particular, the Zn-rich surface not only facilitated the interfacial charge carrier transfer, but also acted as electrocatalyst for boosting carbon product selectivity and suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction. This work provides a new avenue to optimize the photocathode, as well as improvement of the CORR performance.

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