Modeling integrated photovoltaic–electrochemical devices using steady-state equivalent circuits

ABSTRACT: Significance This article extends the construction of direct solar-to-fuels devices, such as the artificial leaf based on crystalline silicon. Because a single Si junction has insufficient potential to drive water splitting, it cannot be used for direct solar-to-fuels conversion. This paper performs an equivalent circuit analysis for multiple series-connected devices. The predictive utility of the model is demonstrated in the case of water oxidation at the surface of a Si solar cell, using a cobalt–borate oxygen evolving catalyst. Considering recent cost reductions of Si solar cells, this paper offers a path to the construction of low cost solar-to-fuels devices. We describe a framework for efficiently coupling the power output of a series-connected string of single-band-gap solar cells to

SUBMITTER: Winkler M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3607023 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature