Highly efficient and stable Si nanowires array embedded into transparent polymer for visible light photoelectrochemical cell

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell supports a renewable method for solving current environmental and energy issues by combining solar energy collection and photocatalysis in a single semiconductor photoelectrode. However, it is still challenged by visible light photoelectrodes. The present work reports fabricating highly efficient and stable Si nanowires (SiNWs) array as visible light photoelectrodes. It involves embedding SiNWs arrays into a transparent polymer substrate to build an axial carrier collection geometry. We demonstrated that this strategy could significantly strengthen the chemical stability of SiNWs by largely reducing their surface area. Moreover, this device structure can also enhance visible light absorption efficiency through taking advantage of the highly crystalline structure of vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) grown SiNWs. Thus it can double the photodegradation ability of SiNWs.