Robust SrTiO.sub.3./sub. passivation of silicon photocathode by reduced graphene oxide for solar water splitting

0576644 - FZÚ 2024 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Ho, H.C. - Smiljanic, M. - Jovanovic, Z. - Čekada, M. - Kovač, J. - Koster, G. - Hlinka, Jiří - Hodnik, N. - Spreitzer, M.
Robust SrTiO₃ passivation of silicon photocathode by reduced graphene oxide for solar water splitting.
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. Roč. 15, č. 37 (2023), s. 44482-44492. ISSN 1944-8244. E-ISSN 1944-8252
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GF21-20110K
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : pulsed laser deposition * SrTiO₃ * epitaxy * reduced graphene oxide * protection layer * photoelectrochemical water splitting * onset potential * stability
OECD category: Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Impact factor: 9.5, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access

Development of a robust photocathode using lowcost and high-performing materials to produce clean fuel hydrogen has remained challenging since the semiconductor substrate is easily susceptible to (photo)corrosion under photoelectrochemical (PEC) operational conditions. A protective layer over the substrate to simultaneously provide corrosion resistance and maintain efficient charge transfer across the device is therefore needed. To this end, in the present work, we utilized pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to prepare a high-quality SrTiO3 (STO) layer to passivate the p-Si substrate using a buffer layer of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The stability tests demonstrated the soundness of the epitaxial STO layer in passivating Si against corrosion. This study provided a facile approach for preparing a robust protection layer over a photoelectrode substrate in realizing an efficient and, at the same time, durable PEC device.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0349481