(23c) Electrochemical Construction of Nanocrystalline Electrodes with Dendritic, Fibrous, and Wire Morphologies

In the preparation of polycrystalline electrodes for use in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical devices, increasing interfacial areas without sacrificing charge transport properties is critical. However, this is a challenging issue because when nanocrystalline electrodes are prepared to achieve high surface areas, the enhanced grain boundary areas often significantly interfere with the charge transport properties. In this context, nanocystalline architectures with dendritic networks may be highly beneficial; in dendritic growth, crystals form a physically continuous network by nature, while creating high surface areas. Fibrous or wire morphologies are also of strategic importance as fibers and wires can be extended farther from the substrates increasing interfacial areas while the one dimensional architecture efficiently minimizes the randomness of charge carrier pathways. In this presentation, we will present various electrochemical approaches to stabilize nanocrystalline dendritic or fibrous architectures composed of inorganic nanocrystals. The effect of the resulting morphologies in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties will also be discussed in detail.