@misc{TallaridaDasSchmeisser, author = {Tallarida, Massimo and Das, Chittaranjan and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Quantum size effects in TiO2 thin films grown by atomic layer deposition}, series = {Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology}, journal = {Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology}, number = {5}, issn = {2190-4286}, doi = {10.3762/bjnano.5.7}, pages = {77 -- 82}, abstract = {We study the atomic layer deposition of TiO2 by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Ti precursor, titanium isopropoxide, was used in combination with H2O on Si/SiO2 substrates that were heated at 200 °C. The low growth rate (0.15 {\AA}/cycle) and the in situ characterization permitted to follow changes in the electronic structure of TiO2 in the sub-nanometer range, which are influenced by quantum size effects. The modified electronic properties may play an important role in charge carrier transport and separation, and increase the efficiency of energy conversion systems.}, language = {en} } @misc{DasTallaridaSchmeisser, author = {Das, Chittaranjan and Tallarida, Massimo and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Si microstructures laminated with a nanolayer of TiO2 as long-term stable and effective photocathodes in PEC devices}, series = {Nanoscale}, journal = {Nanoscale}, number = {7}, issn = {2040-3364}, doi = {10.1039/C5NR00764J}, pages = {7726 -- 7733}, abstract = {Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is one of the most emerging fields for green energy generation and storage. Here we show a study of microstructured Si covered by a TiO2 nano-layer. The microstructures are prepared by galvanostatic selective etching of Si. The TiO2 nano-layer was deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to protect the microstructured photocathode against corrosion. The obtained microstructured photocathode showed a shift in the onset potential of 400 mV towards the anodic direction compared to bare Si. The Si microstructures laminated with a nano-layer of TiO2 show stability over 60 hours of measurement.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DasTallaridaSchmeisser, author = {Das, Chittaranjan and Tallarida, Massimo and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Control of thickness of SiO2 interfacial layer for photocatalytic water splitting on Si photocathodes}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {0420-0195}, abstract = {Silicon with a band gap of 1.1eV is an excellent candidate for visible photocatalytic water splitting. But p-type Si has a low quantum yield and are less efficient for water splitting [1]. It has been shown that preventing oxidation of Si surface can shift the onset potential for water reduction by about 300mV towards more positive [2]. We investigated in detail the influence of the SiO2 layer thickness on the onset potential for water splitting on Si photocathodes: we used p-type Si substrates covered with SiO2 layers of varying thickness. Then, we deposited a thin TiO2 film on using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to inhibit Si oxidation during the electrochemical experiment. In this way we could shift the onset potential up to 200mV, depending on the SiO2 thickness. [1]E. L. Warren, S. W. Boettcher, M. G. Walter, H. A. Atwater, and N. S. Lewis: J. Phys. Chem. C 115 (2011) 594. [2]B. Seger, Anders B. Laursen, P. C. K. Vesborg, T. Pedersen, O. Hansen, S. Dahl, I. Chorkendorff, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 9128}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RichterLichtermanHuetal., author = {Richter, Matthias and Lichterman, Michael F. and Hu, Shu and Crumlin, Ethan J. and Axnanda, Stephanus and Favaro, Marco and Drisdell, Walter S. and Hussain, Zahid and Brunschwig, Bruce S. and Liu, Zhi and Lewis, Nathan S. and Lewerenz, Hans-Joachim}, title = {Experimental Approach for Determining Semiconductor/liquid Junction Energetics by Operando Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, pages = {S. 409}, abstract = {The performance of a photoelectrochemical solar cell depends strongly on the electrochemical nature of the semiconductor/electrolyte junction [1]. Operando Ambient Pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of semiconductor/liquid junctions provides quantitative understanding of the energy bands in these photoelectrochemical solar cells [2, 3, 4]. We demonstrate how OAP-XPS may be used to determine these relationships for semiconductor/liquid systems. The data can be analyzed to determine the energy relationship between the electronic energy bands in the semiconductor electrode and the redox levels in the solution. The major conditions for semiconductor-electrolyte contacts including accumulation, depletion, and Fermi-level pinning are observed, and the so-called flat-band energy can be determined. [1] Science 344 (2014) 1005; [2] Sci Rep 5 (2015) 9788; [3] Ener Sci 8 (2015) 2409; [4] J Electrochem Soc 162 (2016) H1}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LichtermanRichterHuetal., author = {Lichterman, Michael F. and Richter, Matthias and Hu, Shu and Crumlin, Ethan J. and Axnanda, Stephanus and Favaro, Marco and Drisdell, Walter S. and Hussain, Zahid and Brunschwig, Bruce S. and Liu, Zhi and Lewis, Nathan S. and Lewerenz, Hans-Joachim}, title = {Probing the TiO2/Liquid Interface of a Photoelectrochemical Cell by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, pages = {S. 414}, abstract = {Amorphous TiO2 coatings can stabilize semiconductor photoanodes such as Si, GaAs, and GaP that are otherwise unstable in aqueous media [1]. Using tender X-rays with their substantially increased inelastic mean free scattering length of photoelectrons and using the classical three-electrode potentiostatic arrangement allows one to follow of the influence of the applied potentials on the semiconductor electrode energetics such as band bending and band edge shifts directly [2, 3]. The observed shifts in binding energy with respect to the applied potential have directly revealed rectifying junction behavior on semiconducting samples. Accumulation, depletion and Fermi level pinning were observed. Additionally, the non-linear response of the core level binding energies to changes in the applied electrode potential has revealed the influence of defect-derived electronic states on the Galvani potential across the complete cell. [1] Science 344 (2014) 1005; [2] Sci Rep 5 (2015) 9788; [3] Ener \& Env Sci 8 (2015) 2409}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DasTallaridaSkorupskaetal., author = {Das, Chittaranjan and Tallarida, Massimo and Skorupska, Katarzyna and Lewerenz, Hans-Joachim and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {An efficient Si photo cathode for a wide range of electrolyte pH values}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, abstract = {Hydrogen fuel cells, being environmental friendly to produce energy, are a technology of future. One of the efficient ways to produce hydrogen is solar driven photocatalysis using semiconducting materials as photo electrodes. The choice of electrodes is a crucial factor and is done on the basis of photo corrosion stability, light absorption efficiency, and photocarrier lifetime. P-type Si can be used as photo cathode to produce H2 by direct photocatalysis. Si cathodes can be used in acidic electrolytes to have efficient photo catalytic activity but they are unstable in alkaline electrolytes. Therefore, to use both Si electrodes in the same electrolyte, their chemical stability should be extended over a wide range of pH. To this purpose we modified the surface of a p-type Si photocathode with very thin films of TiO2 grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). We found that the modified Si cathode shows an increased photoresponse and a lower onset potential with respect to the pristine surface and an increased stability at various pH values.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RichterSchmeisser, author = {Richter, Matthias and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {The Co2p spin and oxidation state in Co-PI catalysts}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, abstract = {The electronic structure of cobalt based catalysts used for photocatalytic water splitting in solar cells is analyzed using synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalyst films are prepared by electrochemical deposition. We employ a X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study to analyze the Co2p and O1s core levels, absorption edges and valence bands. We discuss our resonant data in terms of the partial density of states of the valence and conduction band. We find a difference in the Co oxidation state as a function of film thickness (deposited charge). From the relative amount of Co, O, K and P we favor the molecular cobaltate cluster-like structure as the structural motif of the Co-PI catalyst. Further, at resonant PES at the Co2p edge we find the Co2p partial DOS to exhibit no sharp features next to the VBM, instead there is a broad emission at around 6eV below EFerrmi. The former are found in LiCoO2 and other Co-oxide systems with a Co3+ ground state. We attribute such sharp features to the low spin (LS) configuration of Co3+ and deduce that in the Co catalysts there is no evidence for the corresponding LS contributions. Our data prove the Co2+ ground state and demonstrate that it is exclusively in the Co3d7 high spin state in the pristine catalyst films.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DasTallaridaSchmeisser, author = {Das, Chittaranjan and Tallarida, Massimo and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {TiO2 laminated Silicon microstructures based stable photocathode for water splitting}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, pages = {S. 213}, abstract = {The photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is one of the most efficient ways to obtain hydrogen from water using solar power which can be used as carbon free fuel. The PEC device can bedesigned using semiconducting material that will convert solar radiation to H2. Silicon can be one of the best choices for PEC due to its success in solar cells technology. There are certain issues with Si such as stability in electrochemical medium [1] and higher surface reflectance (25\%) which limits the Si as an ideal candidate for PEC technique [2]. In the present work we addressed these issues by surface structuring and laminating the surface with metal oxide. The microstructuring of Si was done by electrochemical method. The Si microstructure photocathode was stabilized by thin layer of ALD grown TiO2 film. The microstructuring and lamination of Si photocathode by ALD layer of TiO2 decreased the reflectance ofthe surface and shift the onset potential towards anodic direction by 350 mV with a prolonged stability over 60 hours[3]. [1] C. Levy-Clement, J. Electrochem. Soc 1991, 12, 69 [2] J. Oh, et al. Energy Environ. Sci., 2011, 4, 1690 [3] C. Das, et al. Nanoscale 2015,7, 7726}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RichterLichtermanHuetal., author = {Richter, Matthias and Lichterman, Michael F. and Hu, Shu and Crumlin, Ethan J. and Axnanda, Stephanus and Favaro, Marco and Drisdell, Walter S. and Hussain, Zahid and Brunschwig, Bruce S. and Liu, Zhi and Lewis, Nathan S. and Lewerenz, Hans-Joachim}, title = {An Electrochemical, resonant Photoemission and Ambient Pressure-X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic Investigation of Si/TiO2/Ni/Electrolyte Interfaces}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, pages = {S. 414}, abstract = {Photoelectrochemical cells based on semiconductor-liquid interfaces provide a method of converting solar energy to electricity or fuels. Recently, we have demonstrated operational systems that involved stabilized semiconductor-liquid junctions [1]. The electrical and spectroscopic properties of the TiO2/Ni protection layer system have been investigated in contact with electrolyte solutions [2, 3, 4]. From the response of the photoelectron binding energies to variations in applied potential the energetics of the solid/electrolyte interface are elucidated. The degree of conductivity depended on the chemical state of the Ni on the TiO2 surface. The combinations of these techniques provide a powerful tool for the investigation of hybrid electrode/solution contacts. [1] Science 344 (2014) 1005; [2] Sci Rep 5 (2015) 9788; [3] Ener \& Env Sci 8 (2015) 2409; [4] J Electrochem Soc 162 (2016) H1}, language = {en} } @misc{IndraMenezesDasetal., author = {Indra, Arindam and Menezes, Prashanth W. and Das, Chittaranjan and G{\"o}bel, Caren and Tallarida, Massimo and Schmeißer, Dieter and Driess, Matthias}, title = {A facile corrosion approach to the synthesis of highly active CoOxwater oxidation catalysts}, series = {Journal of Materials Chemistry A}, journal = {Journal of Materials Chemistry A}, number = {5}, issn = {2050-7488}, doi = {10.1039/c6ta10650a}, pages = {5171 -- 5177}, abstract = {Ultra-small rock salt cobalt monoxide (CoO) nanoparticles were synthesized and subjected to partial oxidation ('corrosion') with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) to form mixed-valence CoOx(1 < x< 2) water oxidation catalysts. Spectroscopic, microscopic and analytical methods evidenced a structural reformation of cubic CoO to active CoOx with a spinel structure. The superior water oxidation activity of CoOx has been established in electrochemical water oxidation under alkaline conditions. Electrochemical water oxidation with CoOx was recorded at a considerably low overpotential of merely 325 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in comparison to 370 mV for CoO. Transformation of both octahedral CoII and CoIII sites into amorphous Co(OH)2-CoOOH is the key to high electrochemical activity while the presence of a higher amount of octahedral CoIII sites in CoOx is imperative for an efficient oxygen evolution process.}, language = {en} } @misc{DasKotRouissietal., author = {Das, Chittaranjan and Kot, Małgorzata and Rouissi, Zied and Kędzierski, Kamil and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Selective Deposition of an ultrathin Pt Layer on a Au-Nanoisland-Modified Si Photocathode for Hydrogen Generation}, series = {ACS Omega}, volume = {2}, journal = {ACS Omega}, number = {4}, issn = {2470-1343}, doi = {10.1021/acsomega.6b00374}, pages = {1360 -- 1366}, abstract = {Platinum, being the most efficient and stable catalyst, is used in photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. However, a minimal amount of Pt with maximum catalytic activity is required to be used to minimize the cost of production. In this work, we use an environmentally friendly, ost-effective, and less Pt-consuming method to prepare PEC devices for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The Pt monolayer catalyst is selectively deposited on a Au-nanoisland-supported boron-doped p-type Si (100) photocathode. The PEC device based on the Si photocathode with an ultralow loading of the Pt catalyst exhibits a comparable performance for the HER to that of devices with a thick Pt layer. In addition, we demonstrate that by using a thin TiO2 layer deposited by atomic layer deposition photo-oxidation of the Si photocathode can be blocked resulting in a stable PEC performance.}, language = {en} } @misc{CibrevTallaridaDasetal., author = {Cibrev, Dejan and Tallarida, Massimo and Das, Chittaranjan and Lana-Villarreal, Teresa and Schmeißer, Dieter and Gómez, Roberto}, title = {New insights into water photooxidation on reductively pretreated hematite photoanodes}, series = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics}, volume = {19}, journal = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics}, number = {32}, issn = {1463-9076}, doi = {10.1039/C7CP03958A}, pages = {21807 -- 21817}, abstract = {It has been recently demonstrated that the photoactivity toward oxygen evolution of a number of n-type metal oxides can be substantially improved by a reductive electrochemical pretreatment. Such an enhancement has been primarily linked to the formation of low valent metal species that increase electrode conductivity. In this work, we report new insights into the electrochemical doping using highly ordered (110)-oriented hematite nanorods directly grown on FTO. The reductive pretreatment consists in applying negative potentials for a controlled period of time. Such a pretreatment was optimized in both potentiostatic and potentiodynamic regimes. We show that the optimized pretreatment enhances electrode conductivity due to an increase in charge carrier density. However, it additionally triggers changes in the morphologic, catalytic and electronic properties that facilitate the separation and collection of the photogenerated charge carriers causing an up to 8-fold enhancement in the photocurrent for water oxidation. The reductive pretreatment can be considered as a highly controllable electrochemical n-type doping with the amount of generated Fe2+/polaron species and the change in film morphology as the main factors determining the final efficiency for water photooxidation of the resulting electrodes.}, language = {en} }