Phys.org August 24, 2020
The direct integration of electrocatalysts with photovoltaic materials provides a strategy to photoelectrochemically power chemical transformations and store intermittent solar energy as fuels. Researchers at the Arizona State University highlight how optical and electrochemical characterization techniques can be coupled with structural information to address to what extent does a selected electrocatalytic coating screen photons from reaching the underlying photovoltaic; coating layers contribute to photocurrent production; and are relatively high or low loadings of catalytic sites advantageous. They used p-type gallium phosphide semiconductor that is interfaced with cobalt porphyrin hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts. Experimental techniques can likely be applied to other materials and chemical transformations. The research provides a framework for better understanding catalytic performance in solar fuel devices…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Abstract. Credit: ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2020, 3, 8, 7512–7519, June 29, 2020