Efficiency limits for photoelectrochemical water-splitting.

ABSTRACT: Theoretical limiting efficiencies have a critical role in determining technological viability and expectations for device prototypes, as evidenced by the photovoltaics community's focus on detailed balance. However, due to their multicomponent nature, photoelectrochemical devices do not have an equivalent analogue to detailed balance, and reported theoretical efficiency limits vary depending on the assumptions made. Here we introduce a unified framework for photoelectrochemical device performance through which all previous limiting efficiencies can be understood and contextualized. Ideal and experimentally realistic limiting efficiencies are presented, and then generalized using five representative parameters-semiconductor absorption fraction, external radiative efficiency, series resistan

SUBMITTER: Fountaine KT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5146289 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature