The first implementation of repetitive translucent photocatalyst structures to enhance the energy efficiency of photoelectrochemical applications

Abstract

Improving the energy efficiency of photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) yields an important tool to address the current carbon circularization problems. However, the efficiency of these cells was held back due to mass, electron, and photon transfer limitations. In this work, the use of translucent repetitive thin catalyst structures within the same light path was introduced in PEC cells, allowing to absorb more irradiated light due to an increased total catalyst loading, while still benefiting from the good transfer phenomena of thin catalyst films. The results unequivocally showed that thinner catalyst layers in a repetitive structure could produce more than seven times the amount of photocurrent than a single thick catalyst layer while utilising less catalyst material. This work proved that not only the nature of the photocatalyst but also the use of repetitive thin translucent structures should be considered when designing a photoelectrochemical reactor to maximise energy efficiency.