2-Electrode Short Circuit and j–V

Abstract

Solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency is the most important figure of merit to gage the potential of a semiconductor material to photoelectrochemically split water (see Chapter “Efficiency Definitions in the Field of PEC”). It is projected that STH conversion efficiencies in excess of 10 % will be needed for practical hydrogen production systems [1]. Taken in conjunction with gas detection measurements (see Chapter “Stability Testing”), the photocurrent density (j SC) under short-circuited conditions (i.e., zero applied bias) in a 2-electrode measurement is critical in determining the STH conversion efficiency. Moreover, applied bias experiments using the 2-electrode configuration can shed important light on the water splitting capabilities and limits of a PEC material system.