Thin-Film Materials for the Protection of Semiconducting Photoelectrodes in Solar-Fuel Generators

Shu Hu; Nathan S. Lewis; Joel W. Ager; Jinhui Yang; James R. McKone; Nicholas C. Strandwitz

doi:10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b05976

Thin-Film Materials for the Protection of Semiconducting Photoelectrodes in Solar-Fuel Generators

Shu Hu, Nathan S. Lewis, Joel W. Ager, Jinhui Yang, James R. McKone, Nicholas C. Strandwitz

California Institute of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article

144 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The electrochemical instability of semiconductors in aqueous electrolytes has impeded the development of robust sunlight-driven water-splitting systems. We review the use of protective thin films to improve the electrochemical stability of otherwise unstable semiconductor photoelectrodes (e.g., Si and GaAs). We first discuss the origins of instability and various strategies for achieving stable and functional photoelectrosynthetic interfaces. We then focus specifically on the use of thin protective films on photoanodes and photocathodes for photosynthetic reactions that include oxygen evolution, halide oxidation, and hydrogen evolution. Finally, we provide an outlook for the future development of thin-layer protection strategies to enable semiconductor-based solar-driven fuel production.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	24201-24228
Number of pages	28
Journal	Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume	119
Issue number	43
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b05976
Publication status	Published - Oct 29 2015

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Energy(all)
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Cite this

Hu, S., Lewis, N. S., Ager, J. W., Yang, J., McKone, J. R., & Strandwitz, N. C. (2015). Thin-Film Materials for the Protection of Semiconducting Photoelectrodes in Solar-Fuel Generators. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 119(43), 24201-24228. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b05976

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AB - The electrochemical instability of semiconductors in aqueous electrolytes has impeded the development of robust sunlight-driven water-splitting systems. We review the use of protective thin films to improve the electrochemical stability of otherwise unstable semiconductor photoelectrodes (e.g., Si and GaAs). We first discuss the origins of instability and various strategies for achieving stable and functional photoelectrosynthetic interfaces. We then focus specifically on the use of thin protective films on photoanodes and photocathodes for photosynthetic reactions that include oxygen evolution, halide oxidation, and hydrogen evolution. Finally, we provide an outlook for the future development of thin-layer protection strategies to enable semiconductor-based solar-driven fuel production.

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10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b05976