Development of photoelectrochemical cells based on compound semiconductors and nonaqueous electrolytes. Final report, May 1, 1979-April 30, 1980

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6335525· OSTI ID:6335525

Rauh, R. D.

Factors limiting the performance of nonaqueous photoelectrochemical cells (EPCs) have been delineated for a model photoelectrode, n-GaAs, in a variety of solvent-electrolyte combinations. Although a wider range of stabilizing redox systems can be identified in nonaqueous solvents than in H/sub 2/O, the lack of specific adsorption of the redox systems still limits maximum open circuit voltages to <0.7V. Because of solubility and electrolyte conductivity is found to be the CH/sub 3/CN, I/sub 3//sup -//I/sup -/ system for n-GaAs. EPCs using this electrolyte have been characterized in detail. Development of less optically dense electrolytes is also being pursued. Truly anhydrous solutions of Cu and Cr perchlorates have been formed by in situ anodic dissolution of the parent metals. A parallel study of thin film photoelectrode structures has been conducted to demonstrate nonvacuum deposition methods: screen printing, electroless chemical plating, and electrochemical plating of Cd chalcogenides.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA); EIC Labs., Inc., Newton, MA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 6335525
• Report Number(s): SERI/TR-8002-7-T2; ON: DE81025647
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
&amp; Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ALKENES
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL COATING
CURRENTS
DEPOSITION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMICAL COATING
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
IODINE IONS
IONS
LYSIS
MATERIALS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
NITRILES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
PROPYLENE
REDOX POTENTIAL
SCREEN PRINTING
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLUBILITY
STABILITY
SURFACE COATING