Transient phenomenological modelling of photoelectrochemical cells for water splitting: application to undoped hematite electrodes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Luísa Andrade (Author) FEUP; Tânia Lopes (Author) FEUP; Helena Aguilar Ribeiro (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Vol. 36 No. 1

Pages: 175-188

ISSN: 0360-3199

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 30 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 31 Citations

INSPEC

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-YTA

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.09.098

Abstract (EN): A phenomenological model is proposed for a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. The main assumptions of the one-dimensional transient phenomenological model are: i) bulk recombination of the conduction band electrons with holes in the valence band; ii) the mobile charge transport takes place via diffusion, which arises from the concentration profiles, and migration, caused by a macroscopic electric field; iii) negligible effects of microscopic electric fields in the cell and screening effects, as well as negligible Helmholtz and diffuse layers. For modeling purposes, the photoanode was assumed to be a homogeneous nanocrystalline hematite structure, with thickness L, porosity 3p and tortuosity s. The TCO/semiconductor interface was modeled as an ideal ohmic contact, while the electrolyte/platinized TCO interface was described by a ButlereVolmer approach. An alkaline electrolyte solution was used, allowing the transport of the ionic species from the counter-electrode to the photoanode. The continuity and transport governing equations are defined for the mobile species involved: electrons in the conduction band of the semiconductor, holes in the valence band and hydroxyl ions in the electrolyte. Simulated IeV characteristics were computed and the corresponding results compared with the experimental values. The simulated results were in straight agreement with the experimental data.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: Publicação abrangida pelo Journal Citation Reports 2015

No. of pages: 14