A review on photoluminescence and electroluminescence of semiconductors for photoelectrochemical cells

Abstract

This review is concerned with the photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties of semiconductor electrodes used in photoelectrochemicall cells for optical-to-electrical energy conversion. Luminescence not only provides insight into the excited-state deactivation routes which are crucial to efficient energy conversion, but also allows one to obtain in a relatively simple manner valuable information about bulk and surface imperfections that negatively influence photoelectrochemical performance of the semiconductor.