Abstract

Conversion of sunlight to chemical energy based on photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes has been considered as a promising strategy for solar energy harvesting. Here, we propose a novel platform that converts solar energy into sodium (Na) as a solid-state solar fuel via the PEC oxidation of natural seawater, for which a Na ion-selective ceramic membrane is employed together with photoelectrode (PE)-photovoltaic (PV) tandem cell. Using an elaborately modified bismuth vanadate-based PE in tandem with crystalline silicon PV, we demonstrate unassisted solar-to-Na conversion with an unprecedentedly high efficiency of 8 % and long-term stability, suggesting a new benchmark for low-cost, efficient and scalable solid solar fuel production. The sodium turns easily into electricity on demand making the device a nature-friendly, monolithic solar seawater battery.

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