Development of Nanostructured Photoelectrodes for Solar Water Splitting via Advanced Electrochemical-based Synthesis Techniques

Photoactive materials in thin film configuration (i.e. photoelectrodes) are promising for harnessing solar energy. With current fabrication methods, these thin films often suffer from poor charge transport and stability, hindering their wider application. Fabricationby electrochemical-based methods could potentially overcome these problems. In this project, innovative thin film fabrication methods based on anodization will be developed that allow synthesis of robust, nanostructured films with compositions and structuresoptimized for high efficiency. This will lead to new photoelectrodes for efficient solar hydrogen generation, which is crucial for a sustainable energy future. New knowledge will also be developed, resulting in general design principles for photoelectrodes for arange of devices.The goal of this research is conversion and chemical storage of solar energy in the form of hydrogen. This will be achieved through development of novel photoelectrode thin film fabrication methods, which will allow the design of photoactive thin films that havehigher efficiency and better long-term stability than has been possible in the past. By developing robust and efficient photoelectrodes, the proposed research aims to address key challenges for sustaining Hong Kong’s energy future.