ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT This chapter focuses on the materials aspects of photoelectrochemistry and particularly on the evolution in the use as photoanodes, of single crystals, polycrystalline films, nanocrystalline films, and nanocrystalline composites comprising of semiconductor particles dispersed in a continuous matrix medium. Occlusion electrodeposition is described as a versatile method for preparing these nanocomposite films. The important and varied roles that the matrix components play in dictating the photoelectrochemical behavior of the resultant nanocomposite assemblies are also highlighted. Finally, cofunctional film architectures wherein the matrix component is chosen to enhance the adsorption cross-section of a targeted substrate candidate are also described. Such strategies provide an avenue for improving quantum yields in photocatalytic reactions.
