A synergetic strategy to construct anti-reflective and anti-corrosive Co-P/WSx/Si photocathode for durable hydrogen evolution in alkaline condition

Developing durable Si-based photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media is attracting attention device-level water splitting, but still faces a trade-off between the alkalic corrosion resistance and light transmission for Si photocathodes. Herein, synergetic strategy proposed to employ an anti-reflective Co-P film cocatalyst modulated via self-assembly of protective-layer WS x onto photocathode. The controllable thin-film efficiently ensures excellent anti-alkali semiconductors, serves as appropriate nucleation base modulate structure possess anti-reflection. optimal Co-P/WS /Si photocathode exhibits onset potential + 0.47 V vs. reversible electrode (V RHE ), photocurrent density − 25.1 mA cm −2 at 0 , superior durability up 300 h 1.0 M KOH electrolyte. These findings offer facile effective approach further development devices. • An integration -protected with was designed. could ensure alkali-corrosion effect induced . A displayed PEC-HER performance media. exhibited great potentiality PEC HER.