Hybrid Si/PEDOT:PSS Core/Shell Nanowire Array Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Cells

Abstract

A composed of Si nanowire and conducting polymer (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): Poly(styrenesulfonate), PEDOT:PSS) with core/shell array structure as inorganic-organic hybrid photoanode is proposed and characterized. For the hybrid photoanode design, a PEDOT/PSS layer conformally coated on Si nanowire arrays by solution filling and drying method, which is employed to collect photogenerated holes and serve as catalytic electrode to drive electrochemical reaction. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells based on the hybrid photoanode is demonstrated with improved power conversion efficiency a by 1.8 times as compared to that of Si nanowire arrays photoanode. The results reveal the Si/PEDOT:PSS core/shell nanowires arrays to be an alternative hybrid system for solar energy conversion.