Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation at Photocathode Based on Silicon Nanowires Grown from Alternative Seeds

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore alternative growth seeds to gold nanoparticles for the synthesis of silicon nanowires (SiNWs), characterise the SiNWs grown from alternative seeds, create a water splitting photocathode based on SiNWs, and evaluate the photoelectrocatalytic performance of the photocathode. Quantum dots were synthesised and used as alternative seeds for the SiNWs, which were grown on an amorphous carbon substrate. Scanning electron microscopy estabished the sizes and shapes of the nanowires. Every constituent metal of quantum dots was attributed to a specific morphological characteristic of the nanowires. The kinetics of SiNW growth on alternative seeds was evaluated. Catalyst electrodeposition proved the be the best catalyst application method. Photocathode with SiNWs from alternative seeds was found to be inferior to the photocathode with SiNWs grown from gold nanoparticles. Alternative growth seeds proved to be suitable and of interest for growing SiNWs.