EFFICIENT PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL SOLAR-CELLS EQUIPPED WITH AN N-SI ELECTRODE MODIFIED WITH COLLOIDAL PLATINUM PARTICLES

Various platinum (Pt) colloid solutions were prepared and used for the modification of n-type silicon (n-Si) electrodes. All the photoelectr ochemical (PEC) solar cells, equipped with the Pt-colloid modified n-S i electrodes thus prepared, gave the open-circuit photovoltages (V(oc) ) of 0.550 to 0.630 V, much higher than those (0.25 approximately 0.30 V) for n-Si electrodes coated with continuous thin Pt layers, clearly showing the beneficial effect of the discontinuous metal coating. The PEC cells, equipped with the textured-surface n-Si electrodes modifie d with the Pt colloid particles prepared by Bredig's method, yielded a n energy conversion efficiency of 14.9% in a three-electrode configura tion. The relation between the V(oc) and the size and distribution of the Pt particles is discussed.