Issue 8, 2016

Utilizing modeling, experiments, and statistics for the analysis of water-splitting photoelectrodes

Abstract

A multi-physics model of a planar water-splitting photoelectrode was developed, validated, and used to identify and quantify the most significant materials-related bottlenecks in photoelectrochemical device performance. The model accounted for electromagnetic wave propagation within the electrolyte and semiconductor, and for charge carrier transport within the semiconductor and at the semiconductor–electrolyte interface. Interface states at the semiconductor–electrolyte interface were considered using an extended Schottky contact model. The numerical model was validated with current–voltage measurements using an n-type GaN photoanode immersed in 1 M H2SO4. Numerical design of experiments and parametric analysis were conducted using the validated model in order to identify and optimize the key factors for water-splitting photoelectrodes. The methodology, developed using an experimentally-validated numerical model coupled to statistical analysis, provides a general approach to identify and quantify the main material challenges and design considerations in working PEC devices. In the case of n-type GaN, the surface recombination, flatband potential, and doping concentration were identified as the most significant parameters for the photocurrent density.

Graphical abstract: Utilizing modeling, experiments, and statistics for the analysis of water-splitting photoelectrodes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
13 9 2015
Accepted
16 12 2015
First published
22 12 2015
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016,4, 3100-3114

Author version available

Utilizing modeling, experiments, and statistics for the analysis of water-splitting photoelectrodes

Y. K. Gaudy and S. Haussener, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 3100 DOI: 10.1039/C5TA07328F

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