n-AgInSe/sub 2//polyiodide and -polysulfide photoelectrochemical cells

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2095531· OSTI ID:6959540

Dagan, G; Cohen, D; Nelson, A J

A photoelectrochemical cell is constructed, using an n-Ag-InSe/sub 2/ photoanode, made from polycrystalline material with large grain size and an aqueous polyiodide electrolyte. Under simulated AM1.5 insolation, photocurrents of ca. 29 mA/cm/sup 2/ and photovoltages near 500 mV are obtained, after chemical and photoelectrochemical etching of the electrode surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and electron microprobe analyses were used to identify corrosion products and the surface chemical reactions, resulting from the etching procedures and from the photocorrosion of the surface. While the use of Ag/sup +/-containing electrolytes did not affect cell performance, higher currents and photovoltaic conversion efficiencies were obtained in Cu/sup +/-containing polyiodide. Heating the electrodes in air decreases electrode instability, but total stability of the cell has not yet been achieved. The decrease in cell output is ascribed in the photo-assisted formation of elemental selenium, contrary to what is observed for the analogous CuInSe/sub 2/ cell, where this photodecomposition reaction can be suppressed.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Structural Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100 (IL)
• OSTI ID: 6959540
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 135:1; ISSN JESOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102 -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
CORROSION PRODUCTS
CURRENTS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
ETCHING
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM SELENIDES
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
MICROSCOPY
MIXTURES
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOCURRENTS
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
REACTION KINETICS
SELENIDES
SELENIUM
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SEMIMETALS
SILVER COMPOUNDS
SILVER SELENIDES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLUTIONS
SPECTROSCOPY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE FINISHING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY