This volume aims at bringing together the results of extensive research done during the last fifteen years on the interfacial photoelectronic properties of the inorganic layered semiconducting materials, mainly in relation to solar energy conversion. Significant contributions have been made both on the fundamental aspects of interface characteristics and on the suitability of the layered materials in photoelectrochemical (semiconductor/electrolyte junctions) and in solid state photovoltaic(Schottky and p-n junctions) cells. New insights into the physical and chemical characteristics of the contact surfaces have been gained and many new applications of these materials have been revealed. In particular, the basal plane surface of the layered materials shows low chemical reactivity and specific electronic behaviour with respect to isotropic solids. In electrochemical systems, the inert nature of these surfaces characterized by saturated chemical bonds has been recognized from studies on charge transfer reactions and catalysis. In addition, studies on the role of the d-band electronic transitions and the dynamics of the photogene rated charge carriers in the relative stability of the photoelectrodes of the transition metal dichalcogenides have deepened the understanding of the interfacial photoreactions. Transition metal layered compounds are also recognized as ideal model compounds for the studies Involving surfaces: photoreactions, adsorption phenomena and catalysis, scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy and epitaxial growth of thin films. Recently, quantum size effects have been investigated in layered semiconductor colloids.

This volume is devoted exclusively to the interfacial photoelectronic properties of the inorganic layered semiconductors investigated in solid state (Schottky and p-n) photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical (solid/electrolyte) cells. The results of extensive studies on the various interfacial and surface electronic characteristics, interfacial photoreactions and materials aspects of the layered semiconductors reported in the last fifteen years have been reviewed. The layered transition metal dichalcogenides have served as model compounds for the investigation of the details of photoelectrochemical processes and related studies involving surfaces. The layered semiconducting materials have been found to be promising solar cell materials. Significant energy conversion efficiencies have been realized in photoelectrochemical solar cells and in solid state photovoltaic cells. Novel studies including quantum size effects in layered semiconductors have been reported. UHV spectroscopic studies of the surfaces of important layered semiconductors have been given. Recent developments in the preparation of the layered materials have been summarized. New insights into the physical and chemical characteristics of this class of materials have been gained by the studies reported in this book. Highlights include: -- Data on optical and electronic properties of layered semiconductors; -- Solid state and semiconductor/electrolyte junction characteristics; -- Photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical solar cells based on layered materials; -- UHV spectroscopic studies of surfaces of layered semiconductors; -- Quantum size effects in layered semiconductor colloids; -- Novel layered material preparation techniques.

This book has been designed as a result of the author’s teaching experiences; students in the courses came from various disciplines and it was very difficult to prescribe a suitable textbook, not because there are no books on these topics, but because they are either too exhaustive or very elementary. This book, therefore, includes only relevant topics in the fundamentals of the physics of semiconductors and of electrochemistry needed for understanding the intricacy of the subject of photovoltaic solar cells and photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cells. The book provides the basic concepts of semiconductors, p:n junctions, PEC solar cells, electrochemistry of semiconductors, and photochromism. Researchers, engineers and students engaged in researching/teaching PEC cells or knowledge of our sun, its energy, and its distribution to the earth will find essential topics such as the physics of semiconductors, the electrochemistry of semiconductors, p:n junctions, Schottky junctions, the concept of Fermi energy, and photochromism and its industrial applications. "The topics in this book are explained with clear illustration and indispensable terminology. It covers both fundamental and advanced topics in photoelectrochemistry and I believe that the content presented in this monograph will be a resource in the development of both academic and industrial research". —Professor Akira Fujishima, President, Tokyo University of Science, and Director, Photocatalysis International Research Center, Tokyo University of Science, Japan

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