Electronic metal-support interaction-induced space charge polarization for boosting photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Overcoming the inherent transportation of charge constraint of the photoanode has been critical for seeking feasible photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Here, we propose to utilize electron metal-support interactions (EMSI) between Cu nanoparticles (NPs) and N-C support for modifying the electronic structure of CuNPs-N-C/SnS2 photoanode and analyze the impact of EMSI on the process of PEC water splitting. The combination of detailed theoretical simulation calculations and comprehensive characterizations indicates that the charge imbalance induced by EMSI within the CuNPs-N-C and SnS2 interfaces results in an enhanced interfacial polarized electric field and boosts the separation of photo-induced carriers at the CuNPs-N-C and SnS2 interfaces. The optimal CuNPs-N-C/SnS2 photoanode displays remarkable properties with a considerably upgraded photocurrent of 2.33 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, which is 6.30 beyond the value of SnS2 (0.37 mA cm−2). This work paves a way to developing high-performance photoanodes for efficient PEC water splitting.