Sustainable Harvesting of Solar Energy via Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemistry
Research Advisor
Switzer, Jay A., 1950-
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
DOE project # DE-FG02-08ER46518
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical water splitting represents a promising method for providing clean, renewable energy. Effective cells for photoelectrochemical water oxidation pair low band gap semiconductors with efficient oxygen evolution catalysts. In this study, earth-abundant transition metal catalysts are electrochemically synthesized and compared based on their catalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction. These low overpotential catalysts are paired with a metal-semiconductor (MS) junction to create a photoelectrochemical cell. The MS Schottky barrier, created by electrodeposition of gold on the surface of silicon, protects the silicon from being corroded by the basic electrolyte without significantly attenuating the light reaching the semiconductor. Combining the transition metal oxide catalyst with the MS junction created an electrochemical cell in series with a photovoltaic cell which allows independent analysis and optimization of each layer. This creates a stable, efficient n-Si/Au/catalyst cell for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Biography
Alan is a senior studying chemistry from Gainesville, Missouri. Alan has been an undergraduate research assistant in the Materials Research Center since 2013. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, Alan plans to attend graduate school to continue his studies in chemistry.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Sciences poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
15 Apr 2015, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Sustainable Harvesting of Solar Energy via Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Upper Atrium/Hall
Photoelectrochemical water splitting represents a promising method for providing clean, renewable energy. Effective cells for photoelectrochemical water oxidation pair low band gap semiconductors with efficient oxygen evolution catalysts. In this study, earth-abundant transition metal catalysts are electrochemically synthesized and compared based on their catalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction. These low overpotential catalysts are paired with a metal-semiconductor (MS) junction to create a photoelectrochemical cell. The MS Schottky barrier, created by electrodeposition of gold on the surface of silicon, protects the silicon from being corroded by the basic electrolyte without significantly attenuating the light reaching the semiconductor. Combining the transition metal oxide catalyst with the MS junction created an electrochemical cell in series with a photovoltaic cell which allows independent analysis and optimization of each layer. This creates a stable, efficient n-Si/Au/catalyst cell for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
