Efficient solar to chemical conversion by a new-type n-Si electrode with metal nano-contact and surface methylation

摘要

We have succeeded in developing a new-type Si electrode with metal nano-contact and surface methylation,which shows excellent and stable photovoltaic characteristics in aqueous redox electrolytes.The electrode has achieved solar decomposition of hydrogen iodide into hydrogen and iodine under no external bias,with a high solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency phi_(chem)~s of 7.4%.The present success is of much interest in that it has opened a new way to realize high-efficiency and low-cost solar energy conversion.