Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 thin-film solar water-splitting photovoltaics for solar seawater desalination

Abstract

Kesterite photovoltaic materials of Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin films present excellent photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties in solar water-splitting devices. It is found that photoelectrodes, including CZTS for solar water splitting, are suitable for application in solar seawater desalination due to the similarity of their operation principle and work conditions to photoelectrodes/solutions. Here we report the application of a CZTS-based photocathode from solar water splitting to solar seawater desalination. With the TiO 2 surface modification layer, the CZTS-based photocathode shows superior stability in the progress of seawater desalination and maintains desalination performance above 95% after testing for almost 500 h. Moreover, the device driven by solar energy does not require an additional electrical supply. The combination of redox flow and ion exchange membrane (IEM) for seawater desalination is a highly efficient and promising water treatment technique that can effectively alleviate the shortage of freshwater resources. Solar water-splitting photocathode with promising solar desalination performance Unbiased and stable solar desalination for almost 500 h is presented Intersection of research between water splitting and solar desalination The application of solar water-splitting photocathode for solar desalination Many regions have a shortage of freshwater, and the situation is getting worse with time. Here, Li et al. obtain freshwater from seawater using solar energy by exploiting a solar water-splitting photocathode.