Spectral dependence of photoelecrochemical water splitting by silver nanoporous layers

The article presents the results of the spectral dependence study of the quantum efficiency of photocatalytic water decomposition. The relationship between the radiation spectrum and the efficiency of photocatalytic water decomposition into hydrogen and oxygen is determined. For this purpose, an electrolyte based on sodium nitrate is studied. The photocathode contained nanoporous silver layers. It is shown that the maximum quantum efficiency of photocatalytic water decomposition by spectrum integrally amounts to 1.9 %, and increases with decreasing radiation wavelength. The obtained results can be used in the development of solar energy devices designed for photocatalytic water decomposition into hydrogen and oxygen.