Semiconductor electrodes modified by electrodeposition of discontinuous metal films: Part I. Role of the film morphology

Abstract

The stability of semiconductor photoanodes modified by electrodeposition of discontinuous Pt films has been investigated by measuring the shift Δ V in the flat-band potential with illumination. A simple model for Δ V shows that a quantitative determination is possible. The theory proposed explains the role of the film morphology and gives new insight into the potential distribution at the interface. The role of the metal-induced surface states and that of the kinetics are also discussed.