On the origin of the photocurrent of electrochemically passivated p-InP(100) photoelectrodes

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
Andrey GoryachevEmiel J M Hensen

Abstract

III-V semiconductors such as InP are highly efficient light absorbers for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices. Yet, their cathodic stability is limited due to photocorrosion and the measured photocurrents do not necessarily originate from H2 evolution only. We evaluated the PEC stability and activation of model p-InP(100) photocathodes upon photoelectrochemical passivation (i.e. repeated surface oxidation/reduction). The electrode was subjected to a sequence of linear potential scans with or without intermittent passivation steps (repeated passivation and continuous reduction, respectively). The evolution of H2 and PH3 gases was monitored by online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OLEMS) and the Faradaic efficiencies of these processes were determined. Repeated passivation led to an increase of the photocurrent in 0.5 M H2SO4, while continuous reduction did not affect the photocurrent of p-InP(100). Neither H2 nor PH3 formation increased to the same extent as the photocurrent during the repeated passivation treatment. Surface analysis of the spent electrodes revealed substantial roughening of the electrode surface by repeated passivation, while continuous reduction left the surface unaltered. On the other hand,...Continue Reading

References

Aug 18, 2004·Science·John A Turner
Dec 14, 2004·Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry·Helmut Baltruschat
May 19, 2005·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Matheus T de GrootMarc T M Koper
May 19, 2006·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Tom H M HousmansMarc T M Koper
Aug 30, 2012·Nature Methods·Caroline A SchneiderKevin W Eliceiri
Oct 4, 2017·The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·Jinzhan SuLionel Vayssieres

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Citations

Jul 3, 2019·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Joshua D ButsonChennupati Jagadish
Nov 26, 2021·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Weilai YuNathan S Lewis

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray
OLEMS
atomic force microscopy
quartz crystal microbalance
AFM

Software Mentioned

ImageJ

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