Efficient solar fuel production enabled by an iodide oxidation reaction on atomic layer deposited MoS<sub>2</sub>

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as a half‐anodic reaction of water splitting hinders the overall reaction efficiency owing to its thermodynamic and kinetic limitations. Iodide oxidation reaction (IOR) with low thermodynamic barrier and rapid reaction kinetics is a promising alternative to the OER. Herein, we present a molybdenum disulfide (MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) electrocatalyst for a high‐efficiency and remarkably durable anode enabling IOR. MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> nanosheets deposited on a porous carbon paper via atomic layer deposition show an IOR current density of 10 mA cm<jats:sup>–2</jats:sup> at an anodic potential of 0.63 V with respect to the reversible hydrogen electrode owing to the porous substrate as well as the intrinsic iodide oxidation capability of MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> as confirmed by theoretical calculations. The lower positive potential applied to the MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>‐based heterostructure during IOR electrocatalysis prevents deterioration of the active sites on MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>, resulting in exceptional durability of 200 h. Subsequently, we fabricate a two‐electrode system comprising a MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> anode for IOR combined with a commercial Pt@C catalyst cathode for hydrogen evolution reaction. Moreover, the photovoltaic–electrochemical hydrogen production device comprising this electrolyzer and a single perovskite photovoltaic cell shows a record‐high current density of 21 mA cm<jats:sup>–2</jats:sup> at 1 sun under unbiased conditions.</jats:p>