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Biofuel, CO2 Reduction,
Bio-inspired Constructs,
Biomemitic Catalysts,
Methanogenesis |
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Fuel Cells, Borohydrides, Catalysts, Ionic Liquids,
Si-Electroplating |
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| II-IV-V Semiconductors, Nanowires, Metal Complexes |
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| Certification, Fuel Cells, Training, Outreach |
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| Know-How, Library, Education |
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| AZ Solar, Forums, Media |
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Motivation for Electroplating Si
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Electroplating Active Metal from Ionic Liquid:
- Simple process to make complex structures
- Relatively low T process ( <120ºC)
- Environmentally friendly (no volatile organic compounds, VOCs)
- Relatively low cost
VERSUS
Silicon production and Si-wafer processing
- Complex processes to make structures in wafer
- High temperature, Energy Intensive process
- Hazardous waste and process fluids (HF, SiH4)
- High cost
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New Low Temperature Method:Room Temperature Ionic Liquid (RTIL) |
Ionic liquid electrolyte: RCl (n-butylpyridinium chloride) and silicon (SiCl4, NaSiF6, SiHCl3, or Si2Cl6).
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Reactions
- IL Rxn with Si: 2 R+ Cl- + Si2Cl6 → 2 R+ SiCl4-
- Cathode Rxn: R+ SiCl4- + 3 e- → Si + R+ Cl- + 3 Cl-
- Anode Rxn: Si + R+ Cl- + 3 Cl- → R+ SiCl4- + 3 e-
3 electrode cell
- Cathode, reference (Ag/AgCl), anode
- 120oC operating temp
- CV & Chronoamperometry
- Inert gas purge
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Novel solar cell with vertically oriented nano-structured Schottky diodes
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For more information, please, contact professor Don Gervasio
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