Photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution using copper-indium-sulfide nanocrystalline film electrodes

Abstract

The phototoelectrochemical performance of copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) nanocrystalline film electrodes prepared by a facile wet process was investigated using an electrolyte solution containing methyl viologen (MV 2+) as a redox mediator. Coating of their surface with a cadmium sulfide (CdS) layer was found to be necessary to induce photocathodic reduction of MV2+. Hydrogen evolution from a buffered solution of pH 6.5 containing MV2+and platinum nanoparticles was observed during the photoelectrochemical reaction with ca. 80% current efficiency.