Effects of electrolytes on the photoelectrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide at illuminated p-type cadmium telluride and p-type indium phosphide electrodes in aqueous solutions

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Abstract

Photoelectrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide on illuminated p-type CdTe and p-type InP electrodes were studied in aqueous solutions containing a variety of supporting electrolytes such as carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, and perchlorates of alkali salts, and tetraalkylammonium salts. During the electrolysis, the electrodes were corroded a little, but reliable results were obtained at both electrodes that the carbonates favored formic acid production, while the other electrolytes favored carbon monoxide production. Furthermore, the highest current efficiency, more than 80%, was achieved for carbon dioxide reduction at the p-type CdTe electrode in the presence of tetraallcylammonium salts. It is concluded that the difference in hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the electrode surfaces between the two kinds of semiconductors results in the difference in reducibility of carbon dioxide as observed.

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