High Temperature Materials and Processes
40
(
1
)
446
-
460
2021.12
Authorship：Lead author, Corresponding author
Publishing type：Article, review, commentary, editorial, etc. (scientific journal)
Publisher：Walter de Gruyter GmbH
<title>Abstract</title>
Copper kesterite Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub> is a promising photoabsorber material for solar cells and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this article, we will first review the crystallographic/energetic structures of Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub> in view of its applications to sunlight conversion devices. Then, historical progress in photovoltaic properties of Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub>-based solar cells is introduced. Finally, studies on PEC H<sub>2</sub> evolution over Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub>-based photocathodes are reviewed in detail. For realizing efficient PEC H<sub>2</sub> evolution, surface modifications with an n-type buffer layer (such as CdS) and a catalytic site (such as Pt nanoparticles) were found to be indispensable. Since these surface-modified photocathodes had poor resistances under an operating bias due to the occurrence of oxidative photocorrosion of the CdS layer and elimination of the Pt catalysts, coverage with a protection layer was required to improve the long-term durability. Moreover, partial or complete substitution of the constituent cations with some cations was proved to be effective for improving PEC properties. Although recent studies showed a rapid increase in PEC properties, there is room for further development of PEC properties by using effective combinations among surface protection(s), defect engineering(s), and band engineering(s).
DOI：
10.1515/htmp-2021-0050
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Other Link：
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/htmp-2021-0050/html
