Modeling of Bipolar Semiconductor Photoelectrode Arrays for Electrolytic Processes

The effect of light flux, redox couple concentration, and the number of panels on the electrical and chemical efficiency of a bipolar semiconductor photoelectrode array has been examined using a model based on the power characteristic curves of a single photoelectrochemical cell and the current-voltage characteristics of any desired electrolytic process. Data from a single bipolar CdSe//CoS photoelectrode were used to simulate water splitting array performance under a variety of conditions. Experimental data from a 6 photopanel array were consistent with the simulated results. The optimum number of panels was shown to be independent of light intensity over a range of 0.1-1 AM2 and of the concentration of polysulfide in the interior of the arrays from 0.1 to 1M. The efficiency of the CdSe/CoS array for electrical generation (after correcting for light absorption due to the electrolyte) is about 6%.