INOR 355 |
| Photochemical "splitting" of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide and oxygen both produces a fuel from solar energy and recycles atmospheric CO2. We will describe our recent studies of the photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 using semiconducting p-GaP and p-Si and several reported electrocatalysts, as well as others recently developed in our laboratories for this purpose. Cyclic voltammetry is used to probe the photovoltage, photocurrent and electrocatalytic efficiencies developed by illuminated p-type semiconductor photocathodes. Interfacial kinetics are elucidated with model redox species such as methyl viologen and [Ru(bpy)3]2+, thereby establishing peak power, fill factor, and quantum efficiency. Carbon dioxide reduction is monitored using a gas chromatograph. Our efforts to prepare even more efficient two-electron CO2 reduction electrocatalysts will be described. A key challenge to realizing optimal performance from p-GaP lies in the preparation of good Ohmic contacts. Recent developments in the deposition of Zn and Zn alloy films on p-GaP will be described. |
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Molecular Design Toward Atom, Electron, and Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer for Energy Conversion Catalysis
8:30 AM-12:20 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- 210A, Oral
Division of Inorganic Chemistry |