Silicon-Silver Dendritic Nanostructures Enabled Photoelectrochemical Solar Water Splitting for Energy Applications

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of natural water was studied using silicon nanowires decorated with silver dendrites (dendritic nanostructures) as working electrode. A metal assisted wet chemical etching method has been used for the synthesis of dendritic heteronanostructures. Measured photocurrent density 1.7 mA/cm2 under white light illumination exhibits the efficient decomposition of natural water. The decomposition of water is primarily ascribed to the enhancement in the working electrode surface and water effective interface and the decrease in the recombination of light induced (photoexcited) carriers in the existence of silver dendritic nanostructures. Enhancement in photoinduced charge carriers separation caused due to the existence of Schottky barrier between the silicon and silver dendritic nanostructures. The light induced carriers (holes) in silicon are transferred to the metal (Ag) dendritic nanostructures that work as a charge basin to effectively carry out the oxidation reaction of water during PEC measurement. The solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of about 4.5% was reported, indicating the efficient PEC solar water (pH 7) splitting. A cost-effective and efficient method for the PEC solar water splitting is presented in order to enhance the STH efficiency for the production of clean and renewable fuel.