On the mechanism of hydrogen evolution at GaAs electrodes

The hydrogen evolution reaction at n- and p-GaAs electrodes has been reinvestigated. As in the case of metal electrodes, hydrogen evolution can occur in two ways: at ?0.5 V (SCE) hydronium ions are reduced, at ?1.25 V (SCE) reduction of water molecules takes place. It is confirmed that in both cases conduction band electrons are responsible for the two reduction steps, forming adsorbed hydrogen atoms in the first and hydrogen molecules in the second step. Hole injection can occur only to a negligible extent, although it appears energetically feasible.