About the speaker

Dr. Linfeng Pan

2019. 8-present     Postdoc in EcolePolytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland.

2015. 7-2019. 7     Ph.D. in Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,Switzerland

2012. 9-2015. 6     Master of Science in East China University of Scienceand Technology

2008. 9-2012. 6     Bachelor of Engineering in Nanjing Tech University

Abstract of the talk

As a scalable and sustainable technology for carbon-neutralproduction of hydrogen, solar-driven water splitting provides a means toaddress major concerns that have been raised over the security of our energyfuture. Nevertheless, even for the most technologically advanced solar-fuelsystems, it is still challenging to simultaneously fulfill the requirements ofbeing efficient, robust and scalable. Here, we show the recent development ofone of the most promising oxide-based semiconducting photoelectrodes–cuprous oxide (Cu₂O)photocathodes. We highlight the key steps that take Cu₂Ophotoelectrodes towards being an efficient solar energy converter, which haveadvanced this field in our group. Using advanced thin film depositiontechniques, conformal semiconductor layers are applied on nanostructured photoabsorbers, which allows efficient charge separation, light harvesting androbust protection. In the latest progress gallium oxide that has suitableconduction band alignment with cuprous oxide has been applied as electronselective layer and achieved unprecedented overall performance. Finally, an allearth-abundant photocathode was demonstrated in alkaline electrolyte. Currentand future research on regulating electronic properties of electron selectivelayers and new materials development for hole selective layers will also bepresented.