Conversion of sunlight into electrical power and photoassisted electrolysis of water in photoelectrochemical cells

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Acc. Chem. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ar00065a004· OSTI ID:6271146

Heller, A

The development of photoelectrochemical solar cells based on semiconductor liquid junctions is discussed. Over the past 6 years, the efficiency of solar energy conversion has increased from < 1% to 12%, and the operational life of these cells has increased from hours to months. Understanding the chemistry of surfaces and grain boundaries has made it possible to manipulate the position of the surface and grain boundary states and thus reduce losses due to electron-hole recombination. Cells exhibiting approx. 12% efficiency of conversion are: (1) chemisorbed Ru/sup 3 +/ ions on n-GaAs photoanodes; (2) diffused Ru/sup 3 +/ and Pb/sup 2 +/ into grain boundaries of polycrystalline n-GaAs films on graphite; (3) p-InP/VCl/sub 3/-VCl/sub 2/-HCl/C cell; and (4) p-InP(Ru)/HCl-KCl/Pt cell. Photoassisted electrolysis of water for conversion of solar energy to hydrogen using the last mentioned photoelectrochemical cell represents the most efficient system for solar energy conversion. 61 references are cited. (BLM)tic stainless steel is required to prevent stress corrosion cracking byd stuffs contamination in the USSR takes place in the framework of variations observed in separate countries of northern hemisphere.

• Research Organization: Bell Labs., Murray Hill, NJ
• OSTI ID: 6271146
• Journal Information: Acc. Chem. Res.; (United States), Vol. 14:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
WATER
PHOTOELECTROLYSIS
DATA COMPILATION
CONVERSION
DATA
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYSIS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
LYSIS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140505* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical
Photobiological
&amp; Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)
400500 - Photochemistry
400400 - Electrochemistry