Photoelectrochemical cell

Photoelectrochemical cells or PECs are solar cells and extract electrical energy from light, including visible light. Each cell consists of a semiconducting photoanode and a metal cathode immersed in an electrolyte.

Some photoelectrochemical cells simply produce electrical energy, while others produce hydrogen in a process similar to the electrolysis of water.

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Photogeneration cell

In this type of photoelectrochemical cell, electrolysis of water to hydrogen and oxygen gas occurs when the anode is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. This has been suggested as a way of converting solar energy into a transportable form, namely hydrogen. The photogeneration cells passed the 10 percent economic efficiency barrier.

Lab tests confirmed the efficiency of the process. The main problem is the corrosion of the semiconductors which are in direct contact with water. Research is going on to meet the United States Department of Energy requirement, a service life of 10000 hours.

Graetzel cell

For more details on this topic, see Graetzel cells.

Graetzel cells or dye-sensitized solar cells; these cells use dye-adsorbed highly porous nanocrystalline titanium oxide (nc-TiO₂) to produce electrical energy.

See also

• Photohydrogen
• Artificial photosynthesis
• Photocatalysis
• Photodissociation
• Photoelectrolysis
• Photosynthesis
• Photochemical reaction
• Photochemistry

Other third generation solar cells

• Nanocrystal solar cell
• Polymer solar cell

Further Reading

• Michael Gratzel. Photoelectrochemical Cells. Nature, Vol 414, 15 November 2001.
• Michael Gratzel. Solar Energy Conversion By Dye-Sensitized Photovoltaic Cells. Inorganic Chemistry, 2005, vol 44, 6841-6851.
• Juan Bisquert, David Cahen, Gary Hodes, Sven Ru1hle, and Arie Zaban. Physical Chemical Principles of Photovoltaic Conversion with Nanoparticulate, Mesoporous Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 8106-8118