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Weihua Lin. Portrait.

Weihua Lin

Postdoctoral fellow

Weihua Lin. Portrait.

Balancing the Charge Separation and Surface Reaction Dynamics in Twin‐Interface Photocatalysts for Solar‐to‐Hydrogen Production

Author

  • Meng Dan
  • Shan Yu
  • Weihua Lin
  • Mohamed Abdellah
  • Zhen Guo
  • Zhao‐Qing Liu
  • Tõnu Pullerits
  • Kaibo Zheng
  • Ying Zhou

Summary, in English

Solar-driven photocatalytic green hydrogen (H2) evolution reaction presents a promising route toward solar-to-chemical fuel conversion. However, its efficiency has been hindered by the desynchronization of fast photogenerated charge carriers and slow surface reaction kinetics. This work introduces a paradigm shift in photocatalyst design by focusing on the synchronization of charge transport and surface reactions through the use of twin structures as a unique platform. With CdS twin structure (CdS-T) as a model, the role of twin boundaries in modulating surface reactions and facilitating charge migration is systematically investigated. Utilizing transient absorption (TA) and time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopies, it is revealed that CdS-T achieves charge separation on a picosecond timescale and, importantly, the surface reaction at the twin boundary with the involvement of holes also occurs within 100 ps to 3 ns. This synchronization of charge donation and surface regeneration significantly enhances the hydrogen evolution process. Accordingly, CdS-T exhibits superior activity for visible light photocatalytic H2 production, withthe H2 production rate of 55.61 mmol h−1 g−1 and remarkable stability (>30 h), outperforming pristine CdS significantly. This study underscores the transformative potential of twin structures in photocatalysis, offering a new avenue to synchronize charge transport and surface reactions.

Department/s

  • Chemical Physics
  • NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience
  • LTH Profile Area: Nanoscience and Semiconductor Technology
  • LU Profile Area: Light and Materials
  • LTH Profile Area: Photon Science and Technology

Publishing year

2025

Language

English

Publication/Series

Advanced Materials

Volume

37

Issue

5

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Materials Chemistry

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1521-4095