| AVS 54th International Symposium | |
| Renewable Energy Science & Technology Topical Conference | Thursday Sessions |
| Session EN+SS+TF-ThM |
| Session: | Surface Science Challenges for Solar Energy Conversion |
| Presenter: | L.-Å Näslund, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory |
| Authors: | T. Schiros, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory J. Leisch, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory L.-Å Näslund, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory H. Ogasawara, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory T. Deutsch, National Renewable Energy Laboratory J. Geisz, National Renewable Energy Laboratory S. Kurtz, National Renewable Energy Laboratory R. Kirby, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory A. Nilsson, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
III-V semiconductors are promising materials for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, however, material stability is a serious issue. The addition of dilute amounts of nitrogen to GaP and surface modification such as platinization result in dramatic increases in photocorrosion resistance, but the underlying mechanism is not known. We combine surface-sensitive core-level x-ray spectroscopy and microscopy with electrochemical measurements to study changes in the chemical environment and local morphology at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface during PEC hydrogen production and reveal the role of nitrogen and the platinum catalyst treatment in preserving the integrity of the surface. A detailed understanding of the interface is essential to improve control of photocorrosion and increase device stability.