Exploration of novel materials for photochemical water splitting based on semiconductor nanowires and nanostructures

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To explore novel materials for photochemical water splitting, we attempted the fabrication of GaN-based nanostructuers and their characterization of electrochemical properties. Growth of GaN and InGaN nanostructures were attempted by selective-area growth using RF-plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Hexagonal pyramidal structures of GaN were successfully fabricated and a use of alternate mask material for selective-area growth was suggested to be important to realized nanowires which is suitable for water splitting. We also investigated the photo-electrochemical properties of GaN by measureing current-voltage characteristics of GaN in electroryte with and without light irradiation. Furthermore, their characteristics was compared with porous structures, which were fabricated by photo-assisted chemial etching and had high-denstiy nanometer-sized pores on the surface, and it was found that porous structures allowed much lager photocurrent as compared to planar structures.