Construction and study of a photocathode for hydrogen production via catalyst deposition on a nanostructured surface

A multidisciplinary research unit with over 300 staff members working at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and microelectronics, IM2NP has a broad range of expertise that enables it to link many fundamental aspects to applications in the fields of advanced materials, integrated electronics, and nanoscience.

Faced with the climate emergency, the transition to clean energy sources is no longer an option but a necessity. Among the most promising solutions, green hydrogen stands out as a potential cornerstone of the world’s future energy landscape. However, to achieve this, it must be produced efficiently, sustainably, and economically. In this context, the IRM-PV team at IM2NP has joined forces with chemists from MADIREL to tackle a major challenge: designing an innovative photocathode capable of generating hydrogen from sunlight, by fully leveraging the teams’ expertise in advanced semiconductors. The first results are already very promising.

At the heart of this research lies a crucial question: how can the interface between the photoactive semiconductor and the catalytic surface be optimized — the true key to the device’s efficiency?

The objective of this internship is to develop a new-generation photocathode by combining molybdenum sulfide (MoSₓ) and nanostructured TiO₂ coatings on silicon.

The project therefore focuses on developing, characterizing, and analyzing these hybrid structures, at the intersection of materials physics, surface chemistry, and photoelectrochemistry.

The intern will be responsible for the fabrication of photocathodes, which includes the deposition of thin films by electron-beam evaporation or sputtering, followed by anodization carried out at MADIREL, and the subsequent catalyst deposition by photoelectrodeposition at IM2NP. At each stage, physicochemical characterization will be performed, notably using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The intern will also conduct a detailed analysis of the deposited layers using various techniques (SEM-EDS, XPS, impedance spectroscopy) and will evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the system through photocurrent measurements and Faradaic efficiency analysis. All necessary instruments and facilities are available within the two laboratories as well as through the CP2M microscopy platform.

We are seeking a Master’s student in materials physical chemistry, motivated by energy-related topics and eager to train in the various techniques required for the project.

An interest in pursuing a PhD would be a valued asset.