Conclusion

This article shows that the ALD process can be highly beneficial for solar fuel production. Although there is still considerable room for progress before devices can be brought to market, the concepts presented describe the major contributions of ALD in the field of photoelectrolysis: improved light absorption, optimization of the electronic structure of interfaces and inhibition of photocorrosion. We have seen that films deposited by ALD can play a direct or indirect role in improving properties, and that their effects are often multiple. However, for a significant number of applications (especially when the role is indirect), it is the ability to produce ultra-thin, conformal and perfectly sealed films that adds value to this technique. It is this property that is decisive in many other fields of application, such as the encapsulation of devices in barrier layers. To achieve maximum performance,...