Faradaic junction: a new concept on solid Surface/interface

Abstract

Solid surface/interface is a significant research topic of common concern in physics, chemistry, material sciences, energy sciences, electronics and so on, which is usually described as the electronic state. Recently, Prof. Luo et al. investigated the interface charge transfer mechanism in a semiconductor/electrocatalyst heterojunction. They found that this heterojunction indicated a new characteristic of reversible coupled electron-ion transfer and adjustable potential window, and consequently proposed a new concept of faradaic junction for the first time^[1]. During interface charge transfer, chemical reactions happen in a faradaic junction due to ion transfer. Therefore, a faradaic junction is a chemical junction, which is essentially different from physical junctions with only electron transfer. A conventional energy band alignment theory is not suitable to understand the interface charge transfer process in a faradaic junction. Further studies suggest that the faradaic junction mechanism also widely exists on different interfaces of semiconductor/liquid, semiconductor/gas, semiconductor/solid electrolyte, metal/liquid and hydroxide/liquid, etc.^[2-5]. Therefore, the faradaic junction mechanism is a unified theory to describe the surface/interfaces of solids when there are ion donors in the surroundings. In addition to studying charge transfer mechanisms, Prof. Luo et al. also invented faradaic junction devices for solar seawater splitting and solar energy storage^[6-8]. The new concept of faradaic junction break through the inherent thinking on the surface/interfaces of solids and will have important impacts on photochemistry, electrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, solar cells and so on^[9-12]. 

References
[1] Chen, X.; Zhu, K.; Wang, P.; Sun, G.; Yao, Y.; Luo. W.*; Zou, Z.*; iScience 2020, 23,100949
[2] Chen, M.; Dong, H; Xue, M.; Yang, Chun; Wang, P.; Yang, Y.; Zhu, H.; Wu, C.; Yao, Y.; Luo, W.*; Zou, Z.; Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 6363
[3] Xue, M.; Chu, Z.; Jiang, D.; Dong, H.; Wang, P.; Sun, G.; Yao, Y.; Luo, W.*; Zou, Z.; Natl. Sci. Rev. 2022, Accepted
[4] Yin, Z.; Chen, X.; Wang, C.; Guo, Z.; Wu, X.; Zhao, Z.; Yao, Y.*; Luo, W.*; Zou, Z.; Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 6297
[5] Ren, F.; Hu, W.; Wang, C.; Wang, P.; Li, W.; Wu, C.; Yao, Y.; Luo, W.*; Zou, Z.; CCS Chem. 2021, 3, 1670
[6] Wang, P.; Chen, X.; Sun, G.; Wang, C.; Luo, J.; Yang, L.; Lv, J.; Yao, Y.*; Luo, W.*; Zou, Z.; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 1390
[7] Wang, P.; Xue, M.; Jiang, D.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, J.; Dong, H.; Sun, G.; Yao, Y.; Luo, W.*; Zou, Z., Nat. Commun. 2022, 13, 2544
[8] Luo, W.; Yang, Z.; Li, Z*.; Zhang, J.; Liu, J.; Zhao, Z.; Wang, Z.; Yan, S.; Yu, T.; Zou, Z.*; Energy Environ. Sci. 2011, 4, 4046.[9] Li, M.; Luo, W.*; Cao, D.; Zhao, X.; Li, Z.; Yu, T.; Zou, Z.*; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 11016
[10] Li, Z*.; Luo, W.; Zhang, M.; Feng, J.; Zou, Z.; Energy Environ. Sci. 2013, 6, 347
[11] Zhao, X.; Luo, W.*; Feng, J.; Li, M.; Li, Z.; Yu, T.; Zou, Z.*; Adv. Energy Mater. 2014, 4, 1301785
[12] Cao, D.; Luo, W.*; Feng, J.; Zhao, X.; Li, Z.; Zou, Z.*; Energy Environ. Sci. 2014, 7, 752

 

Speaker

Prof. Wenjun LUO is a Professor at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, China. He received his PhD degree from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Nanjing University in December 2008. Then, he worked at Eco-materials and Renewable Energy Research Center, Nanjing University as a Postdoctoral Fellow and a Research Scientist for six years. He joined the Faculty of the Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University in November 2014. From October 2015 to October 2016, He studied at the University College London (UCL) under the financial support of the Newton Research Collaboration Programme. He moved back to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University as an Associate Professor in October 2018, and was promoted to Professor in January 2022. His current research interests include faradaic materials and devices, solid surface/interface sciences, photoelectrocatalysis, photoelectrostorage, and so on.