Effect of oxidation of catalytically active silicon-based electrodes on water decomposition

Abstract

In this work, we continue to study the revealed phenomenon of current creation in the electrochemical system with distilled water during its decomposition without any applied external voltage. Investigated are catalytically active (to decompose water) electrodes based on silicon with modified surface (due to lapping, texturing, doping with palladium, creation of silicides) before and after thermooxidizing for 1 hour in dry oxygen at 850 ºC. Also performed are investigations of time dependences for the current between silicon electrodes and counter-electrodes made of Al, Pt, Yb when using the circuit with the external voltage V 0 = ± 9.7 V. Analyzed are the results obtained and prospects for a further study.

Effect of laser radiation on catalytic properties of silicon electrodes covered with a transition metal film and providing water decomposition

“…To preliminarily determine the electron work function for these siliconmetal electrodes, we used the pair of electrodes Si〈Me〉-Pt where the Pt plate played the role of a cathode and the Si〈Me〉 electrode did that of an anode. The electron work function ϕ for the Si〈Me〉 electrode was determined using the method offered in [1][2][3][4] and based on the measurements of currents between Pt and Si〈Me〉 electrodes in forward and backward directions when applying the voltage V = ±9.7 V to the electrodes. The choice of the Pt electrode is related to its anticorrosion resistance and the relative stability of its electron work function (5.32 eV).…”

“…Current creation between two electrodes with different electron work functions (with different electrochemical potentials) dipped into distilled water is a natural source to extract energy [1][2][3][4]. This phenomenon is caused by water decomposition Н 2 О→Н + +ОН − as a consequence of the catalytic action of electrodes and the availability of a potential difference between them, which is supported by the energy releasing at the electrodes due to the discharge of Н + and ОН − ions.…”

“…In works [1][2][3][4], we studied various electrodes with the aim to obtain the most efficient current creation in electrochemical systems. In particular, we found the metal silicides to be rather promising as cathodes [4].…”