NiFe Alloy Protected Silicon Photoanode for Efficient Water Splitting

Electrodeposition of a thin layer of NiFe alloy atop np+-Si with its native oxide affords an efficient and stable photoanode for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. This photoanode exhibits a low onset potential of 0.89 V versus RHE (Reversible Hydrogen Electrode) for water oxidation and a high solar-to-O2 conversion efficiency of 3.3% in 1 m KOH under 1 sun illumination and outperforms those of reported silicon photoanodes.