Exposed Cocatalyst Interface with Cr–In Bonding for Efficient Solar‐Driven Fuel Production

Abstract In the realm of solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion, the technique of oxygen evolution cocatalyst (OEC) is comparatively sluggish relative to its electrocatalyst counterparts. This is mainly due to the absence of a novel cocatalyst with rapid reaction dynamics, optimal carrier transfer efficiency, and robust operation stability in the context of OEC applications. Here, a cocatalyst design is disclosed, composed of chromium oxide (CrO x ) cluster with exposed junction interfaces (EJIs) for efficient OEC application, making the photoelectrocatalyst competitive to the electrocatalyst with excellent optoelectronic synergy. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the formation of EJIs can simultaneously introduce abundant exposed catalytic sites and improve the photo‐assisted water dissociation kinetics with substantially reduced reaction barrier. Additionally, the Cr–In bonding at the exposed interface can eliminate the local defects, resulting in suppressed hole recombination and enhanced stability. Finally, a remarkable photocurrent density up to 6.26 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V RHE is demonstrated, 920% higher than the pristine photoanode.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-07-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202508182
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Exposed Cocatalyst Interface with Cr–In Bonding for Efficient Solar‐Driven Fuel Production

Runyu Chen, Deng‐Bing Li, Dongniu Wang, Bin Xu et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
article

Exposed Cocatalyst Interface with Cr–In Bonding for Efficient Solar‐Driven Fuel Production

Runyu Chen, Deng‐Bing Li, Dongniu Wang, Bin Xu, Tianyun Liu, Linxing Meng, Chaoyue Zheng, Min Wang, Liang Li
article en

Abstract

Abstract In the realm of solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion, the technique of oxygen evolution cocatalyst (OEC) is comparatively sluggish relative to its electrocatalyst counterparts. This is mainly due to the absence of a novel cocatalyst with rapid reaction dynamics, optimal carrier transfer efficiency, and robust operation stability in the context of OEC applications. Here, a cocatalyst design is disclosed, composed of chromium oxide (CrO x ) cluster with exposed junction interfaces (EJIs) for efficient OEC application, making the photoelectrocatalyst competitive to the electrocatalyst with excellent optoelectronic synergy. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the formation of EJIs can simultaneously introduce abundant exposed catalytic sites and improve the photo‐assisted water dissociation kinetics with substantially reduced reaction barrier. Additionally, the Cr–In bonding at the exposed interface can eliminate the local defects, resulting in suppressed hole recombination and enhanced stability. Finally, a remarkable photocurrent density up to 6.26 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V RHE is demonstrated, 920% higher than the pristine photoanode.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 35(51)
Soochow University (CN), Suzhou Research Institute (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 88%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
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