Nanostructured p -Type Semiconductor Electrodes and Photoelectrochemistry of Their Reduction Processes

Matteo Bonomo and Danilo Dini
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Matteo Bonomo: Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00139 Rome, Italy
Danilo Dini: Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00139 Rome, Italy

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-32

Abstract: This review reports the properties of p -type semiconductors with nanostructured features employed as photocathodes in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). Light absorption is crucial for the activation of the reduction processes occurring at the p -type electrode either in the pristine or in a modified/sensitized state. Beside thermodynamics, the kinetics of the electron transfer (ET) process from photocathode to a redox shuttle in the oxidized form are also crucial since the flow of electrons will take place correctly if the ET rate will overcome that one of recombination and trapping events which impede the charge separation produced by the absorption of light. Depending on the nature of the chromophore, i.e. , if the semiconductor itself or the chemisorbed dye-sensitizer, different energy levels will be involved in the cathodic ET process. An analysis of the general properties and requirements of electrodic materials of p -type for being efficient photoelectrocatalysts of reduction processes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) will be given. The working principle of p -type DSCs will be described and extended to other p -type PECs conceived and developed for the conversion of the solar radiation into chemical products of energetic/chemical interest like non fossil fuels or derivatives of carbon dioxide.

Keywords: semiconductor; photoelectrochemistry; p -type; reduction; dye-sensitized solar cell; solar fuels; CO 2 reduction; metal oxides; metal chalcogenides (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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