title: Si microstructures laminated with a nanolayer of TiO2 as long-term stable and effective photocathodes in PEC devices.
abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is one of the most emerging fields for green energy generation and storage. Here we show a study of microstructured Si covered by a TiO2 nano-layer. The microstructures are prepared by galvanostatic selective etching of Si. The TiO2 nano-layer was deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to protect the microstructured photocathode against corrosion. The obtained microstructured photocathode showed a shift in the onset potential of 400 mV towards the anodic direction compared to bare Si. The Si microstructures laminated with a nano-layer of TiO2 show stability over 60 hours of measurement.
authors.affiliation: Brandenburg University of Technology, Panta Rhei K.-Wachsmann-Allee 17, Cottbus, Germany. chittaiit@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Chittaranjan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tallarida
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmeisser