Modulation of the multiphase phosphorus/sulfide heterogeneous interface via rare earth for solar‐enhanced water splitting at industrial‐level current densities
Yikun Cheng, Pengjie Fu, Zhipeng Yu, Xiaodong Yang, Yangrui Zhang, Aojie Yuan, Huan Liu, Jianhao Du, Long Chen
Abstract
Abstract Photoelectrically coupling water splitting at high current density is a promising approach for the acquisition of green hydrogen energy. However, it places significant demands on the photo/electrocatalysts. Herein, rare earth elements doping NiMoO 4 ‐based phosphorus/sulfide heterostructure nanorod arrays (RE‐NiMo‐PS@NF [RE = Y, Er, La, and Sc]) are obtained for solar‐enhanced electrocatalytic water splitting at high current densities. The results of the experiment and density‐functional theory studies illustrate that the Y element as a dopant not only makes the NiMoP 2 /NiMo 3 S 4 /NiMoO 4 heterostructure exhibit excellent solar‐enhanced electrocatalytic activity (hydrogen evolution reaction [HER]: η 1000 = 211 mV, oxygen evolution reaction [OER]: η 1000 = 367 mV) but also optimizes the heterostructure interfacial electron density distributions and HER free energy. In addition, Y‐NiMo‐PS@NF achieves 18.64% solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency. This study not only provides a new way to synthesize heterostructure electrocatalysts but also inspires the application of solar enhancement strategies for high current density water splitting.