Enhanced Performance of Si MIS Photocathodes Containing Oxide-Coated Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts.

ABSTRACT: Electrodepositing low loadings of metallic nanoparticle catalysts onto the surface of semiconducting photoelectrodes is a highly attractive approach for decreasing catalyst costs and minimizing optical losses. However, securely anchoring nanoparticles to the photoelectrode surface can be challenging-especially if the surface is covered by a thin insulating overlayer. Herein, we report on Si-based photocathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction that overcome this problem through the use of a 2-10 nm thick layer of silicon oxide (SiO_x) that is deposited on top of Pt nanoparticle catalysts that were first electrodeposited on a 1.5 nm SiO₂|p-Si(100) absorber layer. Such insulator-metal-insulator-semiconductor (IMIS) photoelectrodes exhibit superior durability and charge

SUBMITTER: Labrador NY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7673655 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature