| abstract |
The present invention provides a photoelectrode for use in the decomposition of water, which has a good onset potential. The photoelectrode for use in the decomposition of water according to the present invention is equipped with: a support body; a photocatalyst layer which is arranged on the support body, can absorb visible light, and comprises an optical semiconductor having at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Group 4A elements, Group 5A elements, Group 6A elements, Group 1B elements, Group 2B elements, Group 3B elements and Group 4B elements on the periodic table; and a coating layer which is arranged on the photocatalyst layer, is formed employing an atomic layer deposition method, and contains a metal oxide semiconductor. In the photoelectrode, the coating layer has a thickness of 3 to 40 nm. |