Understanding the Stability of Etched or Platinized p-GaInP Photocathodes for Solar-Driven H2 Evolution

Yu, Weilai; Young, James L.; Deutsch, Todd G.; Lewis, Nathan S.

doi:10.1021/acsami.1c18243

Title: Understanding the Stability of Etched or Platinized p-GaInP Photocathodes for Solar-Driven H₂ Evolution

Journal Article · Thu Nov 25 00:00:00 EST 2021 · ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c18243· OSTI ID:1835535

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California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Beckman Inst.
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Chemistry and Nanoscience Center

The long-term stability in acidic or alkaline aqueous electrolytes of p-Ga_0.52In_0.48P photocathodes, with a band gap of ~1.8 eV, for the solar-driven hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) has been evaluated from a thermodynamic, kinetic, and mechanistic perspective. At either pH 0 or pH 14, etched p-GaInP electrodes corroded cathodically under illumination and formed metallic In⁰ on the photoelectrode surface. In contrast, under the same conditions, electrodeposition of Pt facilitated the HER kinetics and stabilized p-GaInP/Pt photoelectrodes against such cathodic decomposition. When held at 0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, p-GaInP/Pt electrodes in either pH = 0 or pH = 14 exhibited stable current densities (J) of ~-9 mA cm^-2 for hundreds of hours under simulated 1 sun illumination. During the stability tests, the current density-potential (J-E) characteristics of the p-GaInP/Pt photoelectrodes degraded due to pH-dependent changes in the surface chemistry of the photocathode. This work provides a fundamental understanding of the stability and corrosion mechanisms of p-GaInP photocathodes that constitute a promising top light absorber for tandem solar-fuel generators.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Fuel Cell Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; SC0004993; SC0022087; EE0008084

OSTI ID:: 1835535

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-80102; MainId:42305; UUID:e0b8892d-8dd4-4d7f-a115-e89567b46543; MainAdminID:63288

Journal Information:: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 13, Issue 48; ISSN 1944-8244

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Understanding the Stability of Etched or Platinized p-GaInP Photocathodes for Solar-Driven H2 Evolution

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References (52)

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Title: Understanding the Stability of Etched or Platinized p-GaInP Photocathodes for Solar-Driven H₂ Evolution