Electrochemical photovoltaic cells based on n-GaAs and the triiodide/iodide redox couple in acetonitrile

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2124254· OSTI ID:6492704

Langmuir, M E; Parker, M A; Rauh, R D

The electrochemical photovoltaic cell (EPC) based on n-GaAs and a CH/sub 3/CN, I/sub 3//sup -//I/sup -/ redox electrolyte was evaluated. Greater than 1MI/sup -/ was necessary to avoid concentration polarization at the photoanode above moderate illumination intensities. The charge separation at the illuminated n-GaAs/electrolyte interface was enhanced by adsorption of Se/sup ./ and Ru/sup +3/ or by complexing polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone. In practical cells, a compromise is necessary between light absorption by I/sub 3//sup -/, and having sufficient I/sub 3//sup -/ to depolarize the counterelectrode. Best ''solar cell'' efficiency in the quiescent electrolyte under 53 mW/cm/sup 2/ irradiation was about 3.4% with V/sub oc/.0.60,i/sub sc/.9 mA/cm/sup 2/, and fill factor 0.34 with no corrections for solution absorbance or cell reflectance. 16 refs.

• Research Organization: EIC Lab Inc, Newton, MA, USA
• OSTI ID: 6492704
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 129:8; ISSN JESOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ACETONITRILE
ADSORPTION
ANODES
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESIGN
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
EQUIPMENT
FILL FACTORS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IONS
NITRILES
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOANODES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PNICTIDES
REDOX REACTIONS
RUTHENIUM IONS
SELENIUM IONS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SORPTION