Photoelectrochemical water splitting using strain-balanced multiple quantum well photovoltaic cells

Steiner, Myles A.; Barraugh, Collin; Aldridge, Chase; Barraza, Isabel; Friedman, Daniel J.; Ekins-Daukes, Nicholas J.; Deutsch, Todd G.; Young, James

doi:10.1039/C9SE00276F

Title: Photoelectrochemical water splitting using strain-balanced multiple quantum well photovoltaic cells

Journal Article · 31 July 2019 · Sustainable Energy & Fuels

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00276F · OSTI ID:1559779

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^[1]; Barraza, Isabel ^[1];

^[1]; Ekins-Daukes, Nicholas J. ^[2];

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National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW (Australia)

Starting from the classical GaInP/GaAs tandem photoelectrochemical water splitting device, higher solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies can be pursued by extending photon absorption to longer wavelengths. We incorporate strain-balanced GaInAs/GaAsP quantum wells into the bottom GaAs junction, to increase the range of photon absorption. The inclusion of 1.34 eV quantum wells in the depletion region of the bottom cell extends the absorption edge to 930 nm. With a corresponding increase in the thickness of the top cell for current matching, the light-limiting photocurrent increases by >8%. The estimated solar-to-hydrogen efficiency is 13.6 ± 0.5%, and we show a pathway to further improvement. With the semiconductor device remaining on the growth substrate, this quantum well architecture may enable improved stability and durability of the photoelectrochemical electrodes.

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

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Fuel Cell Technologies Program (EE-3F)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1559779

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5900-73750

Journal Information:: Sustainable Energy & Fuels, Journal Name: Sustainable Energy & Fuels Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 3; ISSN SEFUA7; ISSN 2398-4902

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
III-V
photoelectrochemical water splitting
photovoltaic cells
quantum well

Title: Photoelectrochemical water splitting using strain-balanced multiple quantum well photovoltaic cells

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