Flat-Band Potential Techniques

It is important to determine the conductivity and flat-band potential (Efb) of a photoelectrode before carrying out any photoelectrochemical experiments. These properties help to elucidate the band structure of a semiconductor which ultimately determines its ability to drive efficient water splitting. The three different techniques that can estimate the Efb are: Illuminated OCP, Mott–Schottky and Photocurrent Onset. The Efb should be independent of the technique used to determine it. Due to the inherent shortcomings of each technique, there is often a lack of agreement of the values determined by the various analyses. Researchers should be aware of these limitations in interpreting results.