The coupling of water splitting catalysts to silicon photovoltaics enables direct solar�to�fuels conversion. In order to achieve high solar�to�fuels efficiency (SFE) for such a construct the power output of the PV elements of the solar cell should be well matched with the power consumption by the electrochemical load. Specifically, the electrochemical load for water splitting (defined by the Tafel behavior of hydrogen and oxygen evolving catalysts and cell resistances) should intersect the I�V curve of the solar cell at its maximum power point for maximal SFE. When coupling the two systems directly � by performing each half reaction on a terminal of the PV device � the coupling efficiency can be modeled using a steady-state equivalent circuit. We validate this model by comparing the predicted J-V characteristics to those experimentally measured for water oxidation at a catalyst functionalized solar cell.

Coupling water–splitting catalysts to silicon photovoltaics for direct solar–to–fuels conversion

245th National Meeting (2013)

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