SiC-based heterostructures and tandem PEC cells for efficient hydrogen production
Bakranov N.B. Kuli Z. Mukash Z.O. Bakranova D.I.
September 2025Elsevier B.V.
Results in Engineering
2025#27
Achieving solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiencies above 10 % is within reach with silicon carbide (SiC), a wide-bandgap semiconductor offering unique properties for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. This review integrates recent advances in novel van der Waals heterostructure designs, Janus-based SiC composites, and eco-friendly synthesis routes to improve efficiency and scalability. In addition, it provides a systematic correlation of density functional theory (DFT) predictions with experimental performance metrics, highlighting critical gaps and optimization pathways. Additionally, comprehensive modeling of electronic structures, band alignments, and surface reactions to optimize SiC-based configurations, including type-II heterojunctions with materials such as MoS2 and TiO2. Key performance metrics, such as photocurrent density and STH efficiencies, are evaluated alongside experimental advancements. Despite significant progress, challenges such as long-term photoelectrode stability, scalable fabrication, and cost reduction persist. We discuss strategies to address these issues, including eco-friendly etching techniques and novel material combinations, and propose future research directions. This review highlights that SiC-based tandem systems achieve STH efficiencies up to 6.3 % and stability exceeding 100 days, with DFT modeling suggesting potential beyond 10 %
DFT modeling , Heterostructures , Hydrogen production , Silicon carbide , Tandem PEC cells , Van der Waals heterostructures
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Research Group altAir Nanolab, Almaty, Kazakhstan
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Satbaev University, Department of Chemical processes and industrial ecology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
SDU University, Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Kaskelen, Kazakhstan
Research Group altAir Nanolab
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Satbaev University
SDU University
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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026