Highly stable photoelectrochemical water splitting and hydrogen generation using a double-band InGaN/GaN core/shell nanowire photoanode

Nano Lett. 2013 Sep 11;13(9):4356-61. doi: 10.1021/nl402156e. Epub 2013 Aug 8.

Abstract

We report on the first demonstration of stable photoelectrochemical water splitting and hydrogen generation on a double-band photoanode in acidic solution (hydrogen bromide), which is achieved by InGaN/GaN core/shell nanowire arrays grown on Si substrate using catalyst-free molecular beam epitaxy. The nanowires are doped n-type using Si to reduce the surface depletion region and increase current conduction. Relatively high incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency (up to ~27%) is measured under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. Under simulated sunlight illumination, steady evolution of molecular hydrogen is further demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry
  • Gallium / chemistry
  • Hydrobromic Acid / chemistry
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Optics and Photonics
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Solar Energy*

Substances

  • Hydrobromic Acid
  • Gallium
  • Nitrogen
  • Silicon