PHOTOELECTROLYSIS OF LIQUID H2S

THIS STUDY WILL IDENTIFY SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOANODES AND PHOTOCATHODES THAT OPTIMIZE PHOTO-ELECTROLYSIS OF LIQUID H2S. THE QUANTUM (PHOTOVOLTAIC) EFFICIENCY OF N- AND P-TYPE ELECTRODES WILL BE MEASURED IN A HIGH PRESSURE PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL. THE GOAL WILL BE TO INCREASE THE YIELD OF HYDROGEN AND SULFUR OVER THAT RECENTLY OBTAINED IN WORK USING P-SI AND N-CDS. PHASE I WILL BE DIRECTED AT IDENTIFYING THOSE CLASSES OF SEMICONDUCTORS (N OR P, ARSENIDE, SULFIDE, SELENIDE, AND PHOSPHIDE) THAT HAVE THE MOST PROMISE AS PHOTOELECTRODES. SECONDLY, EFFICIENT ELECTRODES WILL BE SCREENED FOR RESISTANCE TO PHOTOCORROSION. THE EFFORT IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER THE MECHANISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF PHOTOCLEAVAGE OF LIQUID H2S AND THE ENERGETICS OF DIRECT ELECTROLYSIS.