Harvesting light with semiconductor: Role of interface in the processes of charge transfer

Photoelectrochemical devices are a promising approach to produce scalable and sustainable carbon-free energy. One of the challenges is to find the adequate Earth abundant semiconducting photoelectrodes able to harvest light, store it and convert it into electricity. To design efficient electrodes, there is a need to understand the physicochemical properties of the semiconductor, the chemical and the structure of the interfaces and the transfer mechanisms at these interfaces. The aim of this review is to summarize recent progress and open challenges in i) the bulk physicochemical properties of the semiconductor, ii) the chemical and energetic dynamics of the electrode/electrolyte interfaces and iii) the development and relevant use of operando techniques to understand transfer mechanism at these interfaces.