The enhanced performance of 3C-SiC photocathodes for the generation of hydrogen through the use of cocatalysts

We formed Pt or Pd particles as cocatalysts on a 3C-SiC photocathode. Photocurrents from the 3C-SiC photocathodes increased by presence of the cocatalysts, and there was an optimum particle size of cocatalysts for the photocurrents. By the measurements of chopped light photocurrent-voltage character...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 2016-10, Vol.109 (15)
Main Authors: Ichikawa, Naoto, Kato, Masashi, Ichimura, Masaya
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied physics
Charge transfer
Energy conversion efficiency
Hydrogen production
Hydrogen storage
Palladium
Performance enhancement
Photocathodes
Photoelectric effect
Photoelectric emission
Platinum
Silicon carbide
Water splitting
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Summary:We formed Pt or Pd particles as cocatalysts on a 3C-SiC photocathode. Photocurrents from the 3C-SiC photocathodes increased by presence of the cocatalysts, and there was an optimum particle size of cocatalysts for the photocurrents. By the measurements of chopped light photocurrent-voltage characteristics and spectral responses, we also confirmed the enhanced charge transfer from the 3C-SiC photocathodes to hydrogen owing to the presence of cocatalysts. A 3C-SiC photocathode with Pt cocatalysts showed the highest hydrogen production volume by water splitting. The energy conversion efficiency of the 3C-SiC photocathode with Pt cocatalysts was 0.52%.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.4964825