Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells use photons to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases and offer a promising method for hydrogen production that is directly driven by solar energy. Silicon (Si) is an attractive candidate for PEC cell application because of its moderate energy band-gap and low-cost. However, an insulating oxide film rapidly forms on the surface of Si in aqueous solution under light radiation and becomes passivated. Research on using n-type Si photoanode focuses on altering charge transfer kinetics at the semiconductor/liquid interface to improve the current efficiency for the net water oxidation while limiting the anodic decomposition current.
University researchers have developed silicon-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells and methods to fabricate said PEC cells that utilize earth-abundant elements and material integration strategies that reduce the silicon overpotential to facilitate efficient oxygen and hydrogen evolution from water oxidation, as well as improve silicon’s long-term stability in water. The invention’s main application is the clean generation of hydrogen fuels, at small or large scale (portable hydrogen generators, hydrogen generation and filling stations, off-shore hydrogen fuel plants).
Patent Status
Patent Pending
Tech ID: 22910 / UC Case 2012-178-0
