Study on the Catalytic Hydrogen Wave by Suspended Semiconductor Material (l)

Abstract

The semiconductor material powder of group IV, V or VI elements, or compound semiconductor like as Sb2S3, PbS etc., is added in 1F ammonium chloride solution. Under stirring the solution, polarographic current-potential curve shows a catalytic hydrogen wave which is characteristic according to the species of the semiconductor used. The decomposition potential of catalytic hydrogen wave due to semiconductor which has much smaller work function than that of mercury does not appear at the more positive potentials than the case of the absence of semiconductor powder. In other words, such semiconductor gives no catalytic hydrogen wave. The greater the work function of semiconductor used is, the more positive potentials the decomposition potential of a catalytic hydrogen wave is. The height of catalytic hydrogen wave is higher with smaller work function of semiconductor used. The present paper also reports the trial of electronic explanation of the catalytic nature based on the energy band model of semiconductor and a model on the surface of mercury electrode as well as on the surface of the semiconductor in aqueous ammonium chloride solution.