Electrodeposition and characterization of metals and metal oxides for energy conversion and storage

"This dissertation investigates the electrodeposition of metal and metal oxide thin films applicable to solar water splitting cells. Paper I describes the synthesis of cobalt hydroxide, ß-Co(OH)₂, by electrochemically reducing tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) in alkaline solution. Paper II presents a scheme to convert the ß-Co(OH)₂ to CoOOH and Co₃O₄ and compares their catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction. Co₃O₄ appears to be a more active catalyst than CoOOH based on Tafel analysis. However, when the observed current densities are corrected for the measured electrochemically active surface area, the linear region of the two Tafel plots fell on the same line--suggesting the active species, likely Co(IV), for the oxygen evolution reaction is the same on both materials. Paper III introduces the fabrication of nanometer-thick gold on silicon as an inexpensive and convenient alternative to single crystal gold substrates. In addition to protecting the Si from corrosion, the Au buffer layer forms a Schottky junction with n-Si and exhibits electronic properties useful for photoelectrochemical cells"--Abstract, page iv.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D. in Chemistry

Grantor

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Author dc:creator

• Liu, Ying-Chau

• Cobalt Oxy(Hydr)oxide
• Energy Conversion And Storage
• Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyst
• Semiconductor
• Solar Water Splitting
• X-ray Diffraction
• Chemistry

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/2541

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsmine.mst.edu:doctoral_dissertations-3546