Hybrid CIGS‐Cobalt Quaterpyridine Photocathode with Backside Illumination: A New Paradigm for Solar Fuel Production
Chalcogenide-based thin-film solar cell optimized for rear illumination and used for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction is presented. Central to this innovation is a thinner, Cu(In,Ga)S<sub>2</sub> chalcopyrite absorber coated with a robust metallic top layer, which potentially surpasses the performance of conventional front-illuminated designs. Using cobalt quaterpyridine molecular catalyst, photocurrent densities for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction exceeding 10 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> at 0.0 V vs. RHE under 1 Sun illumination, and ca. 16 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> at -0.25 V vs. RHE were achieved in voltammetry experiments. Controlled potential electrolysis showed catalytic activity over 20 h with selectivity for CO ranging from >92 % (first 4 hours) to 86 % at the end of the experiment. This approach opens limitless possibilities for employing various reduction catalysts, extending far beyond CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. It imposes minimal constraints on absorption properties, immobilization methods, and catalyst nature, setting the stage for high-performance, adaptable PEC devices.
Authors
- Paulo Jorge Marques Cordeiro
- Julien Bonin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9943-0219)
- Fabrice Odobel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7289-4160)
- Nicolas Barreau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8423-153X)
- Léo Choubrac (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3236-6376)
- Garen Suna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8347-4134)
- Fabien Pineau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3591-4860)
- Houssam Ichou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4396-0952)
- Stéphane Diring (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7108-3569)
- Marc Robert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7042-4106)
- Debashrita Sarkar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5621-8058)
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Institut Universitaire de France (FR)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel (FR)
- Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire (FR)
- Chimie et Interdisciplinarité, Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation (FR)
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (FR)
- Istanbul University (TR)
- Nantes Université (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2024-12-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202423727
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.63
Funders
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Institut Universitaire de France
- Université de Nantes
- CHIST-ERA