Nandjou, FredyHaussener, Sophia2019-06-272019-06-272019-06-272019-05-0810.1002/cssc.201802558https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/158563WOS:000471314900022Semiconductor photocorrosion is a major challenge for the stability of photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices. Usually, photocorrosion is studied on the basis of thermodynamic aspects, by comparing the redox potentials of water to the self-decomposition potentials of the semiconductor or analyzing the equilibrium phases at given electrolyte conditions. However, that approach does not allow for a prediction of the decomposition rate of the semiconductor or the branching ratio with the redox reaction. A kinetic model has been developed to describe detailed reaction mechanisms and investigate competition between water-splitting and photocorrosion reactions. It is observed that some thermodynamically unstable semiconductors should photocorrode in a few minutes, whereas others are expected to operate over a period of years as a result of their extremely low photocorrosion current. The photostability of the semiconductor is mainly found to depend on surface chemical properties, catalyst activity, charge carrier density, and electrolyte acidity.Chemistry, MultidisciplinaryGreen & Sustainable Science & TechnologyChemistryScience & Technology - Other Topicselectrochemistrykineticsphotochemistrysemiconductorswater splittingiii-v-compoundssemiconductor electrodeshydrogen-productioncorrosionoxygenstabilityenergygaascdsdecompositiontext::journal::journal article::research article