Publication

Optimizing and Implementing Light Trapping in Thin Film, Mesostructured Photoanodes

Abstract

Stable semiconductor photoelectrodes for water-splitting often exhibit long absorption lengths and poor properties for the efficient separation and transport of photogenerated charges. We propose a combination of resonant and geometric light trapping for thin film, mesostructured α-Fe2O3 photoanodes to engineer enhanced light management and increase the photocurrent density. Simulations of the electromagnetic wave propagation on accurate mesostructures were used to optimize the semiconductor film thickness and the electrode morphology for maximum light absorption. Local photocurrent densities at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface were calculated via a probabilistic charge collection model. The findings of the numerical model were translated into photoanodes by a novel fabrication process based on template-stripping. The developed experimental platform is versatile and enables to fabricate electrodes with various shapes and precise control on the mesostructure. We successfully demonstrated the fabrication of α-Fe2O3 photoanodes with arrays of wedge structures in the micrometer range on a flexible substrate that benefits from resonant and geometric light trapping.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.