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Photoelectrochemistry of GaAs and Si liquid junctions

Citation

Tan, Ming X. (1995) Photoelectrochemistry of GaAs and Si liquid junctions. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/406d-qa79. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10072015-150517492

Abstract

A quantitative study has been performed on the stability of GaAs surfaces in a 0.10 M K2Se-0.01 M K2Se2 aqueous solution. In this electrolyte, n-type GaAs electrodes displayed significant photocorrosion in competition with faradaic charge transfer to Se2-. Chemisorption of group VIIIB metal ions onto the GaAs surfaces yielded improved current-voltage behavior of the GaAs photoanodes, and also resulted in a significant reduction in photocorrosion. This behavior implies that the chemisorbed metal ions act to increase the rate of hole transfer to the Se2- species. Related experiments on n-GaAs, pGaAs, and Sn-doped In2O3 electrodes in Te2-/- aqueous solutions have also been performed.

The majority carrier (electrons) transfer rate constant at a highly doped n+-Si/Co(Cp)2Cl-methanol junction has been measured directly using the chronoamperometry electrochemical technique. The reduction reaction rate of Co(Cp)2+ was 0.03 cm-s-1 at the Si electrode, and was more than 100 times slower than at a hanging mercury electrode. The slower rate was attributed to the smaller optical and static dielectric constants, and the lower density of electrons of the semiconductor. The experimental results were compared to the Marcus theory of charge transfer.

The unique properties of high purity Si/liquid junctions have been investigated under illumination conditions in which the photogenerated carrier concentration exceeds the dopant concentration. Under these high injection conditions, negligible electric fields exist at the semiconductor/liquid interface, and carrier motion is driven by diffusion. Studies of the current-voltage properties of the Si in methanol solutions containing various redox couples suggested that high efficiency photoelectrochemical cells could be established through selective collection of carriers at the semiconductor/liquid junction. The quasi-Fermi levels of electrons and holes were measured directly against the solution potential. Steady-state and transient photovoltage measurements, and theoretical modeliug of the carrier transport, generation, and recombination dynamics indicated that the quasi-Fermi levels were flat across the semiconductor sample. The recombination velocities at the Si/liquid junctions have also been measured, and were shown to vary with the solution potential following the Shockley-Read-Hall theory on recombination.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Lewis, Nathan Saul
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:12 September 1994
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:10072015-150517492
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10072015-150517492
DOI:10.7907/406d-qa79
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9204
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:07 Oct 2015 22:47
Last Modified:09 Nov 2022 19:19

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