Chemically Passivated Zinc Oxide Photoelectrode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

摘要

A chemically passivated photoelectrode, having a conductive substrate, a layer of conductive oxide, preferably zinc oxide (ZnO), over the conductive substrate, and an ultrathin layer of a chemically inert semiconductor material coating the conductive oxide layer, is disclosed. The ultrathin layer of chemically inert semiconductor material, which may be less than 5 nm thick, increases the efficiency of water splitting through passivation of surface charge traps and chemical stability in harsh environments, as opposed to being photoactive. A method of manufacture and a solar cell having the photoelectrode are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A photoelectrode comprising a conductive substrate, a layer of conductive oxide over said conductive substrate, and a layer of chemically inert semiconductor material coating said conductive oxide layer, wherein said layer of chemically inert semiconductor material coating has a thickness of less than 5 nm.