Abstract: This disclosure relates to photovoltaic and photoelectrosynthetic cells, devices, methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Three-dimensional patterning methods of a three-dimensional microstructure, such as a semiconductor wire array, are described, in conjunction with etching and/or deposition steps to pattern the three-dimensional microstructure.

Abstract: The solar fuels generator includes an ionically conductive separator between a gaseous first phase and a second phase. A photoanode uses one or more components of the first phase to generate cations during operation of the solar fuels generator. A cation conduit is positioned provides a pathway along which the cations travel from the photoanode to the separator. The separator conducts the cations. A second solid cation conduit conducts the cations from the separator to a photocathode.

Abstract: Cantilever chemical vapor sensors that can be tailored to respond preferentially in frequency by controlling the location of deposition of an adsorbing layer. Cantilever chemical vapor sensor having a base, one or more legs and a tip are fabricated using a gold layer to promote deposition of a sorbing layer of a polymeric material in a desired location, and using a chromium layer to inhibit deposition of the sorbing layer in other locations. Sorbing layers having different glass temperatures Tg and their effects are described. The methods of making such cantilever chemical vapor sensors are described.

Abstract: The present invention uses a treatment that involves an etching treatment that forms a pnictogen-rich region on the surface of a pnictide semiconductor film The region is very thin in many modes of practice, often being on the order of only 2 to 3 nm thick in many embodiments. Previous investigators have left the region in place without appreciating the fact of its presence and/or that its presence, if known, can compromise electronic performance of resultant devices. The present invention appreciates that the formation and removal of the region advantageously renders the pnictide film surface highly smooth with reduced electronic defects. The surface is well-prepared for further device fabrication.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention are used to reduce the conduction band offset between chalcogenide emitter and pnictide absorber films. Alternatively stated, the present invention provides strategies to more closely match the electron affinity characteristics between the absorber and emitter components. The resultant photovoltaic devices have the potential to have higher efficiency and higher open circuit voltage. The resistance of the resultant junctions would be lower with reduced current leakage. In illustrative modes of practice, the present invention incorporates one or more tuning agents into the emitter layer in order to adjust the electron affinity characteristics, thereby reducing the conduction band offset between the emitter and the absorber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to photoelectrodes having a wire array core and a conformal coating on the core. The wire array core and the conformal coating can be independently selected from inorganic semiconductor materials. The photoelectrodes can be used as either or both the anode and cathode in a device for fuel generation. Such a device, for example, could include a photoanode and a photocathode separated from each other by an electrically and ionically permeable, and proton-conductive membrane.

Abstract: A Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) catalyst includes at least one component selected from a group consisting of transition metal phosphides and first row transition metal sulfides. The catalyst can be included in nanoparticles. In some instances, the catalyst is included in a hydrogen evolution reaction electrode. In one example, the catalyst is cobalt phosphide.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions, devices and methods for screening of photocatalysts for water-splitting.

Abstract: Electricity is generated by oxidizing a carbon-containing fuel in a photoelectrochemical fuel cell via a cyclic oxidation pathway to yield carbon dioxide and water, and collecting the electrons released via the cyclic oxidation pathway to yield a flow of electrons. The cyclic oxidation pathway includes a series of reactions of which is a photooxidation reaction. Photooxidation triggers one or more dark oxidation reactions, thereby increasing the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical fuel cell.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of manufacturing semiconductive structures using stamping and VLS techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making pnictide compositions, particularly photoactive and/or semiconductive pnictides. In many embodiments, these compositions are in the form of thin films grown on a wide range of suitable substrates to be incorporated into a wide range of microelectronic devices, including photovoltaic devices, photodetectors, light emitting diodes, betavoltaic devices, thermoelectric devices, transistors, other optoelectronic devices, and the like. As an overview, the present invention prepares these compositions from suitable source compounds in which a vapor flux is derived from a source compound in a first processing zone, the vapor flux is treated in a second processing zone distinct from the first processing zone, and then the treated vapor flux, optionally in combination with one or more other ingredients, is used to grow pnictide films on a suitable substrate.

Abstract: A photoanode includes a passivation layer on a light absorber. The passivation layer is more resistant to corrosion than the light absorber. The photoanode includes a surface modifying layer that is location on the passivation layer such that the passivation layer is between the light absorber and the surface modifying layer. The surface modifying layer reduces a resistance of the passivation layer to conduction of holes out of the passivation layer.

Abstract: The present invention uses a treatment that involves an etching treatment that forms a pnictogen-rich region on the surface of a pnictide semiconductor film The region is very thin in many modes of practice, often being on the order of only 2 to 3 nm thick in many embodiments. Previous investigators have left the region in place without appreciating the fact of its presence and/or that its presence, if known, can compromise electronic performance of resultant devices. The present invention appreciates that the formation and removal of the region advantageously renders the pnictide film surface highly smooth with reduced electronic defects. The surface is well-prepared for further device fabrication.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making photovoltaic devices incorporating improved pnictide semiconductor films. In particular, the principles of the present invention are used to improve the surface quality of pnictide films. Photovoltaic devices incorporating these films demonstrate improved electronic performance. As an overview, the present invention involves a methodology that metalizes the pnictide film, anneals the metalized film under conditions that tend to form an alloy between the pnictide film and the alloy, and then removes the excess metal and at least a portion of the alloy. In one mode of practice, the pnictide semiconductor is Zinc phosphide and the metal is Magnesium.

Abstract: A photoelectrode, methods of making and using, including systems for water-splitting are provided. The photoelectrode can be a semiconductive material having a photocatalyst such as nickel or nickel-molybdenum coated on the material.

Abstract: A structure comprising an array of semiconductor structures, an infill material between the semiconductor materials, and one or more light-trapping elements is described. Photoconverters and photoelectrochemical devices based on such structure also described.

Abstract: A method of aligning microwires includes modifying the microwires so they are more responsive to a magnetic field. The method also includes using a magnetic field so as to magnetically align the microwires. The method can further include capturing the microwires in a solid support structure that retains the longitudinal alignment of the microwires when the magnetic field is not applied to the microwires.

Abstract: A heterojunction semiconductor device including an array of microstructures, each microstructure including a microwire of a first semiconductor material and a coating of a second semiconductor material forming a heterojunction with the microwire; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, one of which is connected to the microwire and the other of which is connected to the coating, is described. Also described are considerations for configuring the array of microstructures, and methods of forming the array of microstructures.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to photovoltaic and photoelectrosynthetic cells, devices, methods of making and using the same.