EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE OPERATION OF A PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE - STUDIES ON THE NORMAL-GAAS-ROOM TEMPERATURE MOLTEN-SALT ELECTROLYTE INTERFACE

The objective of this study is to critically evaluate the effect of temperature on the photovoltaic performance of a model semiconductor/electrolyte interface. Of particular relevance to this work was the finding that temperature-induced changes in the charge and potential distribution at the interface have substantial effects on the overall PEC behavior. The main conclusion from this study is that there is an optimum temperature beyond which the beneficial effects of temperature on the electronic and optical properties of the semiconductor/electrolyte interface are nullified by unfavorable shifts in the flatband potential (V//F//B) to positive potentials leading to a reduced barrier height (or band bending) in equilibrium.