Unassisted Switchable Dual-Photoelectrode Devices Utilizing p-n Carbon Quantum Dots as "Semiconductor Electrolytes": Optimization Between H₂O₂ and Solar Electricity Production.

ABSTRACT: Switchable self-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices are developed to boost H₂O₂ or electricity generation under visible-light illumination, in which p-n type carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) is applied as conceptually-new "semiconductor electrolytes". The N-CQDs contains N-dopants, and both negatively- and positively-charged surface groups. This allows N-CQDs to act as the electrolyte and to interact with both a BiVO₄ photoanode and a Cu₂O photocathode. In a two-compartment cell with a separating membrane, N-CQDs can dynamically form p-n heterojunctions with the photoanode or the photocathode, facilitating charge separation. In this setup, the fine-tuned electronic structure of N-CQDs promotes the two-electron reactions with water or O₂

SUBMITTER: Duan HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12362774 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature