SOLAR FUEL BY III-VS

Direct photoelectrochemical generation of solar fuels using dilute nitride III-V compound semiconductor heterostructures on silicon: epitaxy, electrochemistry, and interface characterization

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

The proposed IOF research programme addresses crucial issues of fundamental and technological importance in the field of solar fuel generation. The key success factor is a strong multidisciplinary approach combining top-level electrochemistry, high-end epitaxial III-V device preparation and cutting-edge surface science analytics. At the core of the project are the objectives of: â–º obtaining record solar to hydrogen efficiencies and lifetimes with III-V/Si tandem devices â–º enhancing III-V device stability in contact with electrolyte using dilute nitride materials â–º advancing the scientific understanding of the decomposition of III-Vs by advanced analytics

The applicant, Dr. Henning Döscher, is an expert both in III-V heteroepitaxy on silicon and in semiconductor surface science and has accomplished significant contributions to the in situ analysis and advanced control of anti-phase disorder at polar on non-polar interfaces. He has authored and co-authored more than 20 papers including 4 Applied Physics Letters, 2 Surface Science, 2 Journal of Applied Physics, and 2 Physical Review B over the last 4 years. The outgoing phase will be hosted by the pioneer of III-V-based water-splitting, Dr. John Turner at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where the fellow will also collaborate with the world’s reference group in multijunction photovoltaics around Dr. Jerry Olson. Advanced interface analysis will be done with one of the leading soft X-ray spectroscopy groups in the USA, headed by Prof. Clemens Heske at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The return host, Prof. Thomas Hannappel, currently builds a new, integrated epitaxy and surface science group at the Ilmenau University of Technology (TUI), strengthening his unique strategy for in-depth in situ analysis and benchmarking.

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded scientists investigated novel III-V tandem devices for increasing sunlight-to-hydrogen efficiency by direct solar water-splitting.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Multi-junction photoelectrochemical cells from III-V compound semiconductors can generate ideal voltages for decomposing water into its components: hydrogen and oxygen. The EU-funded project SOLAR FUEL BY III-VS addressed crucial issues in the field of solar fuel generation. Project objectives required a multidisciplinary approach combining electrochemistry, epitaxy and interface characterisation.

The project's target was to obtain record solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies and enhance device lifetimes in contact to electrolytes. Dilute nitride III-Vs to boosted device durability and promised optimum theoretical efficiencies by integration on cost-effective silicon substrates. Another focus was on shedding further insight into decomposition of the III-V compound semiconductors, and on advanced tandem device design.

To achieve project objectives, scientists combined knowledge of III-V heteroepitaxy on silicon, of semiconductor surface science, and of photoelectrochemistry. Combining new insights on sunlight absorption within the electrolyte and advanced epitaxy concepts on inverted metamorphic III-V growth, scientists developed a new class of tandem water-splitting devices to demonstrate substantially enhanced energy conversion. Project findings were disseminated through numerous publications.