One step method to produce hydrogen by a triple stack amorphous silicon solar cell

Abstract

A new direct one step method to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen by using a triple stack amorphous silicon solar cell with an n-i-p-n-i-p-n-i-p structure is reported. The ruthenium oxide layer, which is directly painted on the back surface of the solar cell, catalytically aids the evolution of the oxygen. The isolated islands of platinum deposited on the top side of the cell materially help the production of hydrogen. The conversion efficiency of 5% of solar to chemical energy in steady state is achieved under simulated AM1, 100 mW/cm2 solar radiation.