Protection of GaInP 2 Photocathodes by Direct Photoelectrodeposition of MoSx Thin Films

Lancaster, Mitchell; Mow, Rachel; Liu, Jun; Cheek, Quintin; MacInnes, Molly M.; Al-Jassim, Mowafak M; Deutsch, Todd G; Young, James; Maldonado, Stephen

doi:10.1021/acsami.9b03742

Title: Protection of GaInP ₂ Photocathodes by Direct Photoelectrodeposition of MoS_x Thin Films

Journal Article · 18 June 2019 · ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b03742 · OSTI ID:1548261

Lancaster, Mitchell ^[1];

^[2];

^[2]; Cheek, Quintin ^[1]; MacInnes, Molly M. ^[1]; Al-Jassim, Mowafak M ^[2];

^[2];

^[1]

Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Catalytic MoS_x thin films have been directly photoelectrodeposited on GaInP₂ photocathodes for stable photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. Specifically, the MoSx deposition conditions were controlled to obtain 8-10 nm films directly on p-GaInP₂ substrates without ancillary protective layers. The films were nominally composed of MoS₂, with additional MoO_xS_y and MoO₃ species detected and showed no long-range crystalline order. The as-deposited material showed excellent catalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction relative to bare p-GaInP₂. Notably, no appreciable photocurrent reduction was incurred by the addition of the photoelectrodeposited MoSx catalyst to the GaInP₂ photocathode under light-limited operating conditions, highlighting the advantageous optical properties of the film. The MoS_x catalyst also imparted enhanced durability toward photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution in acidic conditions, maintaining nearly 85% of the initial photocurrent after 50 h of electrolysis. In total, this work demonstrates a simple method for producing dual-function catalyst/protective layers directly on high-performance, planar III-V photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical energy conversion.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1548261

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-74260

Journal Information:: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 11, Issue 28; ISSN 1944-8244

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 15 works

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