半導體光電化學基礎與應用
Fundamentals and Applications of Semiconductor Photoelectrochemistry
| 節 | 週五 |
|---|---|
2 09:00–09:50 | 半導體光電化學基礎與應用 EE116 3 節連堂 |
3 10:10–11:00 | |
4 11:10–12:00 |
* 根據陽明交大上課時間表所列
Course descriptions and objectives： Course descriptions: This course provides a foundational understanding of the semiconductor physics, electrochemistry, and interfacial charge-transfer processes that govern photoelectrochemical (PEC) energy conversion. Students learn how electronic structure, carrier dynamics, junction behavior, and electrochemical kinetics determine the operation and efficiency of solar cells and PEC water-splitting systems. The course connects fundamental principles with modern research applications in solar fuels, photocatalysis, and semiconductor-based energy technologies. Objectives By the end of this course, students will be able to: • Explain semiconductor band structure, density of states, and carrier statistics relevant to PEC behavior. • Analyze carrier generation, transport, and recombination in bulk and nanoscale semiconductors. • Interpret energy band diagrams and electrical behavior of metal–semiconductor contacts, p–n junctions, heterojunctions, and semiconductor–electrolyte interfaces. • Apply electrochemical thermodynamics and electrode kinetics to charge-transfer processes at solid–liquid interfaces. • Evaluate photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical water-splitting systems, including energetics, efficiency, catalytic effects, and stability.
This course is open to all graduate students with a background in science or engineering. Familiarity with basic concepts in chemistry, physics, or materials science is expected.
Pedagogical Approach: The course integrates lectures, analytical problem-solving sessions, and guided discussions to build a strong conceptual foundation in semiconductor physics and electrochemistry. Emphasis is placed on connecting theoretical principles with real photoelectrochemical systems through examples, case studies, and interpretation of experimental data. Teaching Assistants (TAs): As no teaching assistants are assigned to this course this semester, all academic support will be provided directly by the instructor. Students may meet with the professor during a designated weekly consultation hour for discussion of course material, clarification of concepts, and guidance on assignments or exam preparation. Additional meetings may be scheduled by appointment when necessary. Course Materials: Lecture slides, handouts, reading lists, and homework assignments will be distributed through the course website or learning management system (LMS). Supplementary materials—such as sample datasets, reference notes, suggested readings from textbooks and research articles, and links to reputable online resources—will be made available to support deeper learning.
- Homework and Assigments: Regular homework assignments will reinforce key concepts in semiconductor physics, electrochemistry, and photoelectrochemical systems. Tasks may include problem-solving exercises, short analytical essays, interpretation of experimental or spectral data. - Exams and Quizzes: Quizzes will be administered periodically to assess understanding of core principles and to encourage consistent engagement with the material. Midterm and final examinations will evaluate both conceptual understanding and analytical proficiency. Exams may include problem-solving questions, short explanations, and applied analysis of semiconductor or interfacial behavior. - Evaluation and Grading Policy： A typical grading breakdown is as follows : Attendance: 10% Homework and Assignments: 30% Quizzes: 15% Midterm Exam: 15% Final Exam: 30%
| 週次 | 主題 |
|---|---|
| 第 1 週 | Course Overview & Material Properties Fundamentals • Course structure, expectations, grading • Introduction from energy levels to energy bands • Crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous semiconductors • Miller indices • Properties and free carriers of common semiconductors • Doping: n-type, p-type, activation energy, degeneracy |
| 第 2 週 | Course Overview & Material Properties Fundamentals • Course structure, expectations, grading • Introduction from energy levels to energy bands • Crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous semiconductors • Miller indices • Properties and free carriers of common semiconductors • Doping: n-type, p-type, activation energy, degeneracy |
| 第 3 週 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics • The wave equation • Quantum confinement • Quantum tunneling and reflection • Electron waves and effective mass |
| 第 4 週 | Quantum Free-Electron Theory & Density of States • Quantum free-electron theory of solids • Density of States (DOS) in k-space and energy space • DOS(E) for 1D, 2D, 3D semiconductors • Quasi-Fermi levels under illumination |
| 第 5 週 | Equilibrium Carrier Concentrations • Fermi function • Equilibrium carrier density • Fermi–Dirac integrals • Carrier concentration and Fermi level • Energy band diagrams for n-type, p-type, intrinsic semiconductors • Carrier concentration vs doping density • Carrier concentration vs temperature |
| 第 6 週 | Equilibrium Carrier Concentrations • Fermi function • Equilibrium carrier density • Fermi–Dirac integrals • Carrier concentration and Fermi level • Energy band diagrams for n-type, p-type, intrinsic semiconductors • Carrier concentration vs doping density • Carrier concentration vs temperature |
| 第 7 週 | Equilibrium Carrier Concentrations • Fermi function • Equilibrium carrier density • Fermi–Dirac integrals • Carrier concentration and Fermi level • Energy band diagrams for n-type, p-type, intrinsic semiconductors • Carrier concentration vs doping density • Carrier concentration vs temperature |
| 第 8 週 | Mid-term exam |
| 第 9 週 | Metal–Semiconductor Junctions • Work function & Fermi-level alignment • Schottky barrier and band bending • Thermionic emission • Ohmic contacts • Interface recombination (brief review) Semiconductor Heterojunctions • Band offsets • p–n junction structure • Built-in electric field & charge separation • Interface recombination & passivation • PEC heterojunction design examples Solar Cells Fundamentals • p–n junction under illumination • Quasi-Fermi level splitting & photovoltage • I–V characteristics • Efficiency terms & loss mechanisms • Connection to PEC photocurrent & photovoltage |
| 第 10 週 | Metal–Semiconductor Junctions • Work function & Fermi-level alignment • Schottky barrier and band bending • Thermionic emission • Ohmic contacts • Interface recombination (brief review) Semiconductor Heterojunctions • Band offsets • p–n junction structure • Built-in electric field & charge separation • Interface recombination & passivation • PEC heterojunction design examples Solar Cells Fundamentals • p–n junction under illumination • Quasi-Fermi level splitting & photovoltage • I–V characteristics • Efficiency terms & loss mechanisms • Connection to PEC photocurrent & photovoltage |
| 第 11 週 | Thermodynamics & Kinetics of Electrochemical Cells Thermodynamics • Chemical vs electrochemical potential • Free energy & cell voltage • Nernst equation and pH dependence • Important redox couples (H⁺/H₂, O₂/H₂O, etc.) • Potential scales: SHE, NHE, RHE and conversions Kinetics • Activation overpotential & exchange current density • Butler–Volmer equation & Tafel kinetics • Forward/backward electron-transfer rates • Charge-transfer vs mass-transport limitations • Reaction orders & multi-electron steps • Catalysts and kinetic barriers in OER/HER |
| 第 12 週 | Thermodynamics & Kinetics of Electrochemical Cells Thermodynamics • Chemical vs electrochemical potential • Free energy & cell voltage • Nernst equation and pH dependence • Important redox couples (H⁺/H₂, O₂/H₂O, etc.) • Potential scales: SHE, NHE, RHE and conversions Kinetics • Activation overpotential & exchange current density • Butler–Volmer equation & Tafel kinetics • Forward/backward electron-transfer rates • Charge-transfer vs mass-transport limitations • Reaction orders & multi-electron steps • Catalysts and kinetic barriers in OER/HER |
| 第 13 週 | Solid–Liquid Interfaces • Electrical double layer: Helmholtz + diffuse layer • IHP and OHP • Debye length & ionic screening • Potential drop and charge distribution • Surface charging and pH-dependent surface charge • Point of zero charge (PZC) |
| 第 14 週 | Charge Transfer at Semiconductor–Liquid Interfaces • Band bending & depletion region at the electrolyte interface • Majority/minority carrier transport • Charge transfer vs surface recombination • Rate constants for interfacial electron/hole transfer • Photocurrent onset potential & flatband potential • Catalysts & surface states effects on PEC charge transfer Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Cells (I & II Combined) • PEC architectures: photoanode, photocathode, tandem, PEC–PV • Band-edge alignment; energetics for HER and OER • Light absorption, carrier transport, interfacial charge transfer • Photocurrent–voltage characteristics and performance metrics • Overpotentials and bias: assisted vs unassisted water splitting • Charge separation and charge transfer efficiencies • Catalysts, surface states, and recombination losses • Stability: corrosion, passivation layers, protection strategies • Case studies: TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Si, III–V, nitrides |
| 第 15 週 | Charge Transfer at Semiconductor–Liquid Interfaces • Band bending & depletion region at the electrolyte interface • Majority/minority carrier transport • Charge transfer vs surface recombination • Rate constants for interfacial electron/hole transfer • Photocurrent onset potential & flatband potential • Catalysts & surface states effects on PEC charge transfer Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Cells (I & II Combined) • PEC architectures: photoanode, photocathode, tandem, PEC–PV • Band-edge alignment; energetics for HER and OER • Light absorption, carrier transport, interfacial charge transfer • Photocurrent–voltage characteristics and performance metrics • Overpotentials and bias: assisted vs unassisted water splitting • Charge separation and charge transfer efficiencies • Catalysts, surface states, and recombination losses • Stability: corrosion, passivation layers, protection strategies • Case studies: TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Si, III–V, nitrides |
| 第 16 週 | Final exam |
1. Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications, Allen J. Bard & Larry R. Faulkner, Wiley, 3rd Edition, 2023 2. Semiconductor Electrochemistry, Rüdiger Memming, Wiley-VCH, 2nd Edition, 2015. 3. Principles and Applications of Semiconductor Photoelectrochemistry, Tan M. X., Laibinis P. E., Nguyen S. T., Kesselman J. M., Stanton C. E., Lewis N. S., in Progress in Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 41, Wiley, 1994. 4. Semiconductor Electrochemistry, Rüdiger Memming, Wiley-VCH, 2008.