Dr. Johanna Eichhorn

Technische Universität München

A major challenge in photoelectrochemical systems is the low efficiency and material instability of semiconductor photoelectrodes under operation conditions. To overcome these limitations, we interface the photoelectrode with conformal and ultrathin catalytic protection layers that maintain chemical stability, allow efficient interfacial charge transport, and minimize parasitic light absorption. In particular, we leveraged unsaturated oxidation conditions in plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition to synthesize cobalt oxide layers with tailored catalytic activities and chemical stabilities. Furthermore, we use different nanoscale techniques to elucidate the local material properties of polycrystalline thin film photoelectrodes which often control the efficiency and stability of the macroscale system. Specifically, we correlated the local structural, chemical and optoelectronic properties with the macroscale performance. The gained understanding was applied to design durable and efficient photosystems.