An Expansion of Polarization Control Using Semiconductor-Liquid Junctions

Abstract

This report builds upon work introducing the concept of independent control over current and potential in electrocatalytic systems, as a means of improving control over their product selectivity. Previous work, describing an approach investigating independent control over potentiostat bias and current flow, implemented a biased PV-electrolyzer-type configuration. While permitting separate modulation of current and potentiostat bias, that approach precludes independent control over current flow and the applied cell potential. The present study seeks to resolve that limitation, by exploiting the Schottky diode behavior inherent to semiconductor-electrolyte interfaces. Light is explored as a prospective second degree of freedom for controlling polarization in a suitably-designed photoelectrochemical device, enabling the arbitrary control of current with respect to an applied cell potential. In stark contrast to metal electrodes, the unique property of light-dependent carrier concentrations in semiconductor electrodes forms the operative means of controlling charge fluxes at some arbitrary cell potential in PEC devices featuring a genuine semiconductor-liquid junction. This functionality carries prospects for exploring polarization states distinct from those of accessible with a dark cell, with implications for improved control over electrochemical reactions. Such opportunities are suggested by the experimental findings reported here.