ИНТЕРФЕЙСІНДЕ ЛАНТАНОЙД ЖОҒАРЫ-ТҮРЛЕНДІРУ НАНОБӨЛШЕКТЕРІ ИНТЕГРАЦИЯЛАНҒАН МЕТАЛЛ-ТОТЫҚ/КРЕМНИЙ ФОТОКАТОДТЫ КЕШЕНДІ ДАЙЫНДАУ ЖОЛЫ

К.; А. Rahimbekova; М.; А.; C.  Batay; Е. Shabdan

doi:10.26577/RCPh2025953

Authors

К. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3628-0748
А. Rahimbekova Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8687-3045
М. Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4075-1522
А. Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3059-5109
C. Batay Аstana IT University, Аstana, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8692-9571
Е. Shabdan Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan; Аstana IT University, Аstana, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0113-8987

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/RCPh2025953

46 8

Keywords:

metal oxide/silicon heterostructures, lanthanide up-conversion, photoelectrochemical water splitting, hydrogen energy

Abstract

This study presents the fabrication of an integrated silicon photocathode based on a metal-oxide/silicon heterostructure. A SnO₂ thin film was deposited on the front surface of a p-n⁺-Si substrate via magnetron sputtering to enable UV photon absorption and corrosion protection. Lanthanide up-conversion nanoparticles (Ln-UCNPs, NaYF₄:Er³⁺@PbS) were integrated at the rear interface using spin-coating to convert near-infrared (NIR, 1550 nm) photons into visible light, achieving broad-spectrum absorption. SEM analysis confirmed the granular morphology of the SnO₂ layer (~140 nm thick) and the p-n⁺ junction depth (~0.6 µm). Current-voltage (I-V) measurements revealed enhanced tunneling charge transport and a Schottky barrier. Spectral response analysis demonstrated improved photosensitivity across 400–1100 nm, peaking at 870–900 nm. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) tests showed that Ln-UCNPs integration increased photocurrent density by ~5 times, significantly enhancing water splitting efficiency. This integrated structure offers a promising approach to improving the stability and spectral efficiency of Si-based photoelectrodes.

Author Biographies

К., Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Associate Professor, Department of Electronics and Astrophysics, Faculty of Physics and Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: dksolar2017@gmail.com

А. Rahimbekova, Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan

Master, Researcher, Astana National Laboratory, Nazarbayev University. Astana, Kazakhstan, e-mail: assel.rakymbekova@nu.edu.kz

М. , Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan

Master, Researcher, Astana National Laboratory, Nazarbayev University. Astana, Kazakhstan, e-mail: magzhan.amze@nu.edu.kz

А. , Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan

Master, Researcher, Astana National Laboratory, Nazarbayev University. Astana, Kazakhstan, e-mail: adiya.yersin@nu.edu.kz

C. Batay, Аstana IT University, Аstana, Kazakhstan

PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity, Astana IT University. Astana, Kazakhstan, e-mail: b.sagidolla@astanait.edu.kz

Е. Shabdan, Аstana National Laboraotry, Nazarbayev University, Аstana, Kazakhstan; Аstana IT University, Аstana, Kazakhstan

corresponding author, PhD, Senior Researcher, Astana National Laboratory, Nazarbayev University, Associate Professor, Department of Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity, Astana IT University. Astana, e-mail: yerkin.shabdan@nu.edu.kz

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