Photodissociation of Water by p- and n-Type Polycrystalline Iron Oxides Using Visible Light (< 2.7 EV) in the Absence of External Potential

摘要

A polycrystalline p/n diode assembly, consisting of pressed Mg- and Si-doped iron oxide powders, has been shown to photodissociate water using visible light in the absence of any external potential. In the investigated pH range (8 to 14) the device produces hydrogen catalytically in amounts which are readily detectable by gas chromatography. The relatively low power conversion efficient of 0.05% is believed to be due to the poor charge transfer properties of the p-type iron oxide used. (ERA citation 07:049473)