RSC主编推荐：能源领域精彩文章快览（免费阅读原文）

英国皇家化学会（RSC）是一个拥有175年历史的面向全球化学家的非营利会员制机构，旗下拥有43种期刊，其中很多在化学领域有很高影响力。为了进一步帮助广大读者追踪科技前沿热点，X-MOL团队与英国皇家化学会合作，推出英国皇家化学会期刊主编推荐的精彩文章快览，本期文章属“能源领域”，英文点评来自英国皇家化学会期刊的主编。如果大家对我们的解读有更多的补充和点评，欢迎在文末写评论发表您的高见！

Energy & Environmental Science (IF: 25.43)

1. Junction behavior of n-Si photoanodes protected by thin Ni elucidated from dual working electrode photoelectrochemistry

Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, 10, 570-579

DOI: 10.1039/C6EE03505A

Si is a desirable photoanode material for use in photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices. However, Si self-passivates during the oxygen evolution half reaction and requires a protection layer to maintain high photoanodic efficiency. Thin evaporated metallic Ni layers have been reported to protect Si while also enhancing the kinetics for oxygen evolution. Maximizing performance of these and related protected/catalyzed semiconductors requires a fundamental understanding of the semiconductor | catalyst | solution interface.

We use dual-working-electrode (DWE) photoelectrochemistry measurements to directly measure the interface's electronic properties in situ during operation. By controlling the Ni thickness (3, 5, and 20 nm), we confirm that favorable shifts in photocurrent onset are correlated with thinner protection layers. Photoelectrochemical DWE measurements are used to test various prevailing hypotheses for the origin of this behavior. We find evidence that increased photovoltage is due to the development of a spatially inhomogeneous buried junction wherein high barrier regions arise via adventitious SiO₂ growth. Thinner protection layers more readily promote this behavior by facilitating solution permeation to the n-Si|Ni interface. Repeated electrochemical cycling of thicker catalyst layers can achieve similar behavior and improve the photocurrent onset by as much as 300 mV.

硅是光电化学水分解装置中理想的光阳极材料，但硅在析氧半反应过程中会自发钝化，需要保护层以维持高光阳极效率。之前已有报道指出，蒸发形成的镍金属层不仅能保护硅，还能提高析氧反应的动力学。而最优化这种以及相关保护/催化半导体的性能，还需要对半导体|催化剂|溶液界面的根本了解。

本文作者使用双工作电极（DWE）光电化学设备在操作过程中直接原位测量了Si|Ni界面的电性质。通过控制镍层厚度（3 nm，5 nm以及20 nm），研究表明光电流起始电压发生有利偏移与较薄的保护层有关。为探寻这种现象的源头，作者用光电化学DWE设备来验证产生这一现象的多种普遍假设。结果表明，光电压的增高要归因于空间非均匀埋结的发展，其中高势垒区通过SiO₂的偶然性生长而出现。相对薄的保护层通过促进溶液渗透到n-Si|Ni界面会推动这种行为。较厚催化剂层通过电化学往复循环也可以实现类似行为，光电流起始电压可以提高到300毫伏。

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Chemical Science (IF: 9.144)

1. Asymmetric supercapacitors with high energy density based on helical hierarchical porous Na_xMnO₂ andMoO₂

Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 510-517

DOI: 10.1039/C5SC03326H

Researchers from Guanzhou have fabricated unique helical hierarchical porous structures with electrodes having a high capacitance and outstanding cycling performance. Using these electrodes, they then assembled high performance asymmetric supercapacitors with high energy density and excellent cycling stability.

中山大学的研究人员设计了具有独特螺旋多级孔结构的电极材料，具有高电容和出色的循环性能。使用这些电极，他们组装了具有高能量密度和优异的循环稳定性的高性能非对称超级电容器。

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2. Metal-organic framework-based CoP/reduced graphene oxide: high-performance bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 1690-1695

DOI: 10.1039/C5SC04425A

Using a sandwich-type metal-organic framework/graphene oxide template and precursor, Hefei scientists have produced a layered CoP/reduced graphene oxide composite as a high-performing electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. This catalyst shows excellent catalytic performance for both the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction in basic solution, and thus can be used as a bifunctional catalyst on both the anode and cathode for overall water splitting.

使用夹层式的金属有机框架/氧化石墨烯模板和前体，中国科学技术大学的研究人员制造出一种分层的CoP/还原型氧化石墨烯复合材料作为析氢反应的高性能电催化剂。这种催化剂在碱性溶液中对析氢反应和析氧反应都表现出良好的催化性能，因而有望作为双功能催化剂用于全分解水的阳极和阴极。

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