Matthias Richter, Michael F. Lichterman, Shu Hu, Ethan J. Crumlin, Stephanus Axnanda, Marco Favaro, Walter S. Drisdell, Zahid Hussain, Bruce S. Brunschwig, Zhi Liu, Nathan S. Lewis, Hans-Joachim Lewerenz
- Photoelectrochemical cells based on semiconductor-liquid interfaces provide a method of converting solar energy to electricity or fuels. Recently, we have demonstrated operational systems that involved stabilized semiconductor-liquid junctions [1]. The electrical and spectroscopic properties of the TiO2/Ni protection layer system have been
investigated in contact with electrolyte solutions [2, 3, 4]. From the response of the photoelectron binding energies to variations in applied potential the energetics of the solid/electrolyte interface are elucidated.
The degree of conductivity depended on the chemical state of the Ni on the TiO2 surface. The combinations of these techniques provide a powerful tool for the investigation of hybrid electrode/solution contacts. [1] Science 344 (2014) 1005; [2] Sci Rep 5 (2015) 9788; [3] Ener & Env Sci 8 (2015) 2409; [4] J Electrochem Soc 162 (2016) H1