JCAP

The Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) is the nation’s largest research program dedicated to the development of an artificial solar-fuel generation technology. Established in 2010 as a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Innovation Hub, JCAP aims to find a cost-effective method to produce fuels using only sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide as inputs.

  • Scanning electron microscope image of polycrystalline tungsten diselenide depicting step edges on the crystal surface.
  • Rendering of thiophene molecules absorbed on functionalized silicon surfaces based on density functional theory modeling.
  • Color enhanced scanning electron microscope image of a silicon column and pit patterned by electron-beam lithography.
  • Optical brightfield image of etched silicon, partially polished at an angle to test a rapid minority carrier diffusion length measurement technique.
  • Color enhanced scanning electron microscope image of silicon columns fabricated by electron-beam lithography for plasmonic hot carrier photoemission tests.
Research Spotlight
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Imaging Hydrogen Evolution at Electrode Surfaces

JCAP scientists have developed a method to image the reaction kinetics of hydrogen evolution on an electrode surface. Using laser-scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy in conjunction with pH-sensitive fluorophores, the technique allows for quantitative imaging of pH gradients at electrode surfaces in water-splitting, solar-fuel generation systems. More

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Predicting Photocorrosion Behavior

A method to determine the thermodynamic stability of compound semiconductors in aqueous solution has been developed by researchers in JCAP. Based on ab initio calculations, the approach allows for prediction of oxidative and reductive photocorrosion behavior in solar-fuel generation devices. More