Engineering Surface Architectures for Improved Durability in III–V Photocathodes

Ben-Naim, Micha; Aldridge, Chase W.; Steiner, Myles; Britto, Reuben J.; Nielander, Adam C.; King, Laurie A.; Deutsch, Todd G.; Young, James L.; Jaramillo, Thomas F.

doi:10.1021/acsami.1c18938

Title: Engineering Surface Architectures for Improved Durability in III–V Photocathodes

Journal Article · Mon Jan 10 00:00:00 UTC 2022 · ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c18938 · OSTI ID:1841136

^[1]; Aldridge, Chase W. ^[2];

^[2]; Britto, Reuben J. ^[1]; Nielander, Adam C. ^[1]; King, Laurie A. ^[3];

^[2];

^[2]; Jaramillo, Thomas F. ^[1]

Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Manchester Metropolitan Univ. (United States)

GaInP2 has shown promise as the wide bandgap top junction in tandem absorber photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices. Among previously reported dual-junction PEC devices with a GaInP₂ top cell, those with the highest performance incorporate an AlInP₂ window layer (WL) to reduce surface recombination and a thin GaInP2 capping layer (CL) to protect the WL from corrosion in electrolytes. However, the stability of these III-V systems is limited, and durability continues to be a major challenge broadly in the field of PEC water splitting. This work provides a systematic investigation into the durability of GaInP₂ systems, examining the impacts of the window layer and capping layer among single junction pn-GaInP₂ photocathodes coated with an MoS₂ catalytic and protective layer. The photocathode with both a CL and WL demonstrates the highest PEC performance and longest lifetime, producing a significant current for >125 h. In situ optical imaging and post-test characterization illustrate the progression of macroscopic degradation and chemical state. The surface architecture combining an MoS₂ catalyst, CL, and WL can be translated to dual-junction PEC devices with GaInP₂ or other III-V top junctions to enable more efficient and stable PEC systems.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Stanford University, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; EE0008084

OSTI ID:: 1841136

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5900-79642; MainId:35863; UUID:3b59a3a8-ea7a-4a14-9e9f-85546c06ef7f; MainAdminID:63600

Journal Information:: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Journal Name: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 14; ISSN 1944-8244

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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08 HYDROGEN
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
III-V
MoS2
capping layer
photocathode
water splitting
window layer

Title: Engineering Surface Architectures for Improved Durability in III–V Photocathodes

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