Hydrogen Evolution with Minimal Parasitic Light Absorption by Dense Co–P Catalyst Films on Structured p-Si Photocathodes

Kempler, Paul A.; Gonzalez, Miguel A.; Papadantonakis, Kimberly M.; Lewis, Nathan S.

doi:10.1021/acsenergylett.8b00034

Hydrogen Evolution with Minimal Parasitic Light Absorption by Dense Co–P Catalyst Films on Structured p-Si Photocathodes

Journal Article · Wed Feb 07 23:00:00 EST 2018 · ACS Energy Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.8b00034· OSTI ID:1468686

^[1]; Gonzalez, Miguel A. ^[2]; Papadantonakis, Kimberly M. ^[2]; ^[2]

California Inst. of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; California Institute of Technology
California Inst. of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Planar and three-dimensionally structured p-Si devices, consisting of an electrodeposited Co–P catalyst on arrays of Si microwires or Si micropyramids, were used as photocathodes for solar-driven hydrogen evolution in 0.50 M H₂SO₄(aq) to assess the effects of electrode structuring on parasitic absorption by the catalyst. Without the use of an emitter layer, p-Si/Co–P microwire arrays produced a photocurrent density of -10 mA cm^–2 at potentials that were 130 mV more positive than those of optimized planar p-Si/Co–P devices. Champion p-Si/Co–P microwire array devices exhibited ideal regenerative cell solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies of >2.5% and were primarily limited by the photovoltage of the p-Si/Co–P junction. Therefore, the vertical sidewalls of the Si microwire photoelectrodes minimized effects due to parasitic absorption at high loadings of catalyst for device structures with or without emitters.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: California Inst. of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0004993

OSTI ID:: 1468686

Journal Information:: ACS Energy Letters, Journal Name: ACS Energy Letters Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 3; ISSN 2380-8195

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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