Enhancing photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction with silicon photonic crystals

Chu Zhou; Chu Zhou; Gaotian Zhang; Peiyuan Guo; Chenxi Ye; Zhenjun Chen; Ziyi Ma; Menglong Zhang; Menglong Zhang; Jingbo Li

doi:10.3389/fchem.2023.1326349

Frontiers in Chemistry (Dec 2023)

Enhancing photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction with silicon photonic crystals

Chu Zhou,
Chu Zhou,
Gaotian Zhang,
Peiyuan Guo,
Chenxi Ye,
Zhenjun Chen,
Ziyi Ma,
Menglong Zhang,
Menglong Zhang,
Jingbo Li

Affiliations

Chu Zhou: School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
Chu Zhou: Zhejiang Xinke Semiconductor Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Gaotian Zhang: School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
Peiyuan Guo: School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
Chenxi Ye: School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
Zhenjun Chen: School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
Ziyi Ma: School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
Menglong Zhang: Zhejiang Xinke Semiconductor Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Menglong Zhang: School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
Jingbo Li: College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2023.1326349
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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The effectiveness of silicon (Si) and silicon-based materials in catalyzing photoelectrochemistry (PEC) CO2 reduction is limited by poor visible light absorption. In this study, we prepared two-dimensional (2D) silicon-based photonic crystals (SiPCs) with circular dielectric pillars arranged in a square array to amplify the absorption of light within the wavelength of approximately 450 nm. By investigating five sets of n + p SiPCs with varying dielectric pillar sizes and periodicity while maintaining consistent filling ratios, our findings showed improved photocurrent densities and a notable shift in product selectivity towards CH4 (around 25% Faradaic Efficiency). Additionally, we integrated platinum nanoparticles, which further enhanced the photocurrent without impacting the enhanced light absorption effect of SiPCs. These results not only validate the crucial role of SiPCs in enhancing light absorption and improving PEC performance but also suggest a promising approach towards efficient and selective PEC CO2 reduction.

Published in Frontiers in Chemistry

ISSN: 2296-2646 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/chemistry

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