Investigation of Pb/PbS a positive Schottky junction formed on conductive glass in contact with alkaline solution

Abstract

PbS on Pb thin film (Pb/PbS) was deposited on conductive glass (CG) substrate (CG/Pb/PbS) using electrochemical techniques to investigate the Schottky junction in solution. The CG/Pb/PbS electrode was investigated by different techniques based on thermionic emission theory. Electrochemical cell consisted of the CG/Pb/PbS as a working electrode in an alkaline solution showed character of the Schottky junction. Reduction and oxidation of H2O on the CG/Pb/PbS electrode were enhanced under illumination. Water photo splitting is the main process. Study of linear sweep voltammetry at around open circuit potential (OCP) allowed proposing a model based on the Schottky junction which is charged at potentials more positive than OCP and discharged at potentials more negative than OCP. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the capacitive nature of the Schottky junction.