Photoelectrochemical solar cells based on d-band electrochemistry at transition metal diselenides. Final report through June 1981
The photoelectrochemical behavior of synthetic crystals of WS/sub 2/, MoS/sub 2/ and crystals with mixed metal and chalcogen composition was studied and compared with the behavior of MoSe/sub 2/ and WSe/sub 2/. The composition and stoichiometry of the crystals and the composition of the electrolyte are varied and the behavior of the materials in a regenerative liquid junction solar cell is measured and analyzed. The quantum yields as a function of wavelength and photon flux are investigated and sunlight to electricity conversion efficiencies are measured. The formation of iodine layers on the photoelectrode surface under high illumination intensity was observed and discussed with respect to the use of these materials with solar concentrators. Various configurations for photoelectrochemical photovoltaic solar cells are reviewed and evaluated. Both flat plate cells and cells with moderate light concentration are examined. Several novel systems where the electrolyte plays a role in light concentration are proposed. The photoelectrolysis of HBr into hydrogen and bromine has been achieved with visible light in a p-n photoelectrolysis cell composed of a p-InP electrode with noble metal hydrogen catalyst islands on the surface and an n-type MoSe/sub 2/ or a WSe/sub 2/ photoanode. HI can also be photoelectrolyzed with the same electrodes with the additional simultaneous production of electrical power. The efficiencies for 514.5 nm laser light are 5.2% and 3.7% for HBr and HI, respectively. The spectral response indicates that photons of 1.35 eV can also accomplish the photoelectrolysis which indicates good prospects for solar energy conversion.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Lab., IA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-82
- OSTI ID:
- 5536347
- Report Number(s):
- IS-4784; ON: DE82006287
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ANODES
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HALOGENS
HYDRIODIC ACID
HYDROBROMIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDES
INORGANIC ACIDS
IODINE
IODINE COMPOUNDS
LYSIS
MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS
MOLYBDENUM SELENIDES
MOLYBDENUM SULFIDES
NONMETALS
PHOSPHIDES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOTOANODES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHOTOELECTROLYSIS
PHOTOELECTROLYTIC CELLS
PNICTIDES
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
SELENIDES
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR FLUX
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
STOICHIOMETRY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TUNGSTEN COMPOUNDS
TUNGSTEN SELENIDES
TUNGSTEN SULFIDES