Photocurrent spectroscopy of semiconductor electrodes in liquid junction solar cells

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 UTC 1978 · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00471a003· OSTI ID:5219000

Heller, A; Chang, K C; Miller, B

Photocurrent spectra obtained by a two-beam (one pump--one probe) spectroscopic method on the semiconductor electrode of liquid junction solar cells can vary with the pump irradiance. In cells with n-type CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and GaAs photoanodes and chalogenide anion solutions this irradiance dependence results from and sensitively detects the presence of carrier recombination centers. With semiconductors showing no detectable recombination centers by this technique, cells with external solar to electrical conversion efficiencies of 8 to 9 percent have been made. Classical single beam photocurrent spectroscopy reveals that poor short-wavelength response in semiconductor liquid junction solar cells is due to surface or near surface recombination centers and resembles p-n junction solar cells in this respect. Lowered long-wavelength response is associated with shrinkage of the depletion region of imperfect and overdoped semiconductors.

• Research Organization: Bell Labs., Murray Hill, NJ
• OSTI ID: 5219000
• Journal Information: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 100:3; ISSN JACSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ANODES
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM SELENIDES
CADMIUM SULFIDES
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGE CARRIERS
CHEMISTRY
CURRENTS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOGALVANIC CELLS
PNICTIDES
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RECOMBINATION
SELENIDES
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TELLURIDES
TELLURIUM COMPOUNDS