Experimental and ab initio studies of oxide interfaces for photoelectrochemistry

The threats posed by anthropogenic climate change have spurred a research thrust towards renewable, carbon-free sources of energy. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) approaches are particularly attractive, combining energy capture from the sun with storage in the form of hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel. However, there are significant materials challenges to be overcome, as well as a necessity for improved understanding of the material interfaces present in such systems. Transition metal oxides are a popular material for research as photo-electrodes but typically have poor electronic properties compared to conventional semiconductors. However, they are stable in aqueous and oxidizing environments and may present a wide variety of exotic physical behaviors, potentially opening new doors for device design. In this thesis, I explore several aspects of oxide interfaces relevant to PEC devices.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctoral

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• May, Kevin J.(Kevin Joseph)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alexie M. Kolpak.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122884

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/122884