Study of Stabilization and Surface Recombination on n ‐ GaP Photoelectrodes: Mechanisms and Interrelation

Abstract

The competition has been studied between three processes occurring with photogenerated holes at the electrolyte interface, i.e., reaction with Fe²⁺ ions, reaction with itself, and surface recombination. The experimental method used was the rotating ring‐disk technique. The influence of the reducing agent concentration, of the light intensity, and of the electrode potential was investigated. The results can be interpreted on the basis of models, in which the stabilization process, and under certain circumstances also the recombination process, takes place through surface intermediates of the photoanodic decomposition reaction.