Abstract
AN alternative to conventional solid-state photovoltaic devices is the semiconductor/liquid junction. Liquid-junction cells not only offer the possibility of integrating energy conversion and storage functions1, but also may exhibit electrical properties that are fundamentally different from those in solid-state systems2. We have investigated the photovoltaic behaviour of n-InP/metal and n-InP/liquid junctions. We have found that the electrical properties of these semiconductor/liquid junctions are superior to those of n-InP/metal (Schottky barrier) systems, and that the current-voltage characteristics are a strong function of the electrochemical potential of the liquid phase. Liquid contacts thus provide a possibility for the construction of more efficient photovoltaic devices than those available at present from Schottky barriers.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Licht, S., Hodes, G., Tenne, R. & Manassen, J. Nature 326, 863–864 (1987).
Casagrande, L. G. & Lewis, N. S. J. Am. chem. Soc. 107, 5793–5794 (1985).
Gronet, C. M. & Lewis, N. S. J. phys. Chem. 88, 1310–1317 (1984).
Aspnes, D. E. & Studna, A. A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 39, 316–318 (1981).
Mead, C. A. & Spitzer, W. G. Phys. Rev. A134, 713–716 (1964).
Newman, N., Kendelewicz, T., Bowman, L. & Spicer, W. E. Appl. Phys. Lett. 46, 1176–1178 (1985).
Kendelewicz, T., Pietro, W. G., Lindau, I. & Spicer, W. E. Appl. Phys. Lett. 44, 1066–1068 (1984).
Waldrop, J. R., Kowalczyk, S. P. & Grant, R. W. Appl. Phys. Lett. 42, 454–456 (1983).
Brillson, L. J. & Brucker, C. F. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 21, 564–569 (1982).
Fahrenbruch, A. L. & Bube, R. H. Fundamentals of Solar Cells 210–212, 234–240 (Academic, New York, 1983).
Gronet, C. M., Lewis, N. S., Cogan, G. & Gibbons, J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 1152–1156 (1983).
Gibbons, J. F., Cogan, G. W., Gronet, C. M. & Lewis, N. S. Appl. Phys. Lett. 45, 1095–1097 (1984).
Rosamilia, J. & Miller, B. J. electrochem. Soc. 132, 349–353 (1985).
Koval, C. A. & Austermann, R. L. J. electrochem. Soc. 132, 2656–2662 (1985).
McManis, G. E., Golovin, M. N. & Weaver, M. J. J. Am. chem. Soc. 90, 6563–6570 (1986).
Weaver, M. J. & Gennett, T. Chem. Phys. Lett. 113, 213–218 (1985).
Pladziewicz, J. R. & Espenson, J. H. J. Am. chem. Soc. 95, 56–63 (1973).
Yang, E. S., Chan, M. S. & Wahl, A. C. J. phys. Chem. 84, 3094–3099 (1980).
Sze, S. M. Physics of Semiconductor Devices, 2nd edn, 250–285 (Wiley, New York, 1981).
Spool, A. M., Daube, K. A., Mallouk, T. E., Belmont, J. A. & Wrighton, M. S. J. Am. chem. Soc. 108, 3155–3157 (1986).
Gerischer, H. in Physical Chemistry, An Advanced Treatise (eds Eyring, H. Y., Henderson, D. & Yost, W.) 9A, 463–542 (1970).
Kohl, P. A. & Bard, A. J. J. electrochem. Soc. 126, 598–603 (1979).
Baglio, J. A. et al. J. Am. chem. Soc. 105, 2246–2256 (1983).
Dominey, R. N. thesis, Mass. Inst. Technol. (1982).
Nagasubramanian, G., Wheeler, B. L. & Bard, A. J. J. electrochem. Soc. 130, 1680–1688 (1983).
Gronet, C. M. & Lewis, N. S. Appl. Phys. Lett. 43, 115–117 (1983).
Offsey, S. D. et al. Appl. Phys. Lett 48, 475–477 (1986).
Sandroff, C. J., Nottenburg, R. N., Bischoff, J.-C. & Bhat, R. Appl. Phys. Lett. 51, 33–35 (1987).
Yablanovitch, E., Sandroff, C. J., Bhat, R. & Gmitter, T. Appl. Phys. Lett. 51, 439–441 (1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heben, M., Kumar, A., Zheng, C. et al. Efficient photovoltaic devices for InP semiconductor/liqud junctions. Nature 340, 621–623 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/340621a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/340621a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.