Highly active GaN-stabilized Ta₃N₅ thin-film photoanode for solar water oxidation

Ta₃N₅ is a very promising photocatalyst for solar water splitting because of its wide spectrum solar energy utilization up to 600 nm and suitable energy band position straddling the water splitting redox reactions. However, its development has long been impeded by poor compatibility with electrolytes. Herein, we demonstrate a simple sputtering-nitridation process to fabricate high-performance Ta₃N₅ film photoanodes owing to successful synthesis of the vital TaO_δ precursors. An effective GaN coating strategy is developed to remarkably stabilize Ta₃N₅ by forming a crystalline nitride-on-nitride structure with an improved nitride/electrolyte interface. A stable, high photocurrent density of 8 mA cm^-2 was obtained with a CoPi/GaN/Ta₃N₅ photoanode at 1.2 V_RHE under simulated sunlight, with O₂ and H₂ generated at a Faraday efficiency of unity over 12 h. Our vapor-phase deposition method can be used to fabricate high-performance (oxy)nitrides for practical photoelectrochemical applications. (copyright 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)