This volume aims at bringing together the results of extensive research done during the last fifteen years on the interfacial photoelectronic properties of the inorganic layered semiconducting materials, mainly in relation to solar energy conversion. Significant contributions have been made both on the fundamental aspects of interface characteristics and on the suitability of the layered materials in photoelectrochemical (semiconductor/electrolyte junctions) and in solid state photovoltaic(Schottky and p-n junctions) cells. New insights into the physical and chemical characteristics of the contact surfaces have been gained and many new applications of these materials have been revealed. In particular, the basal plane surface of the layered materials shows low chemical reactivity and specific electronic behaviour with respect to isotropic solids. In electrochemical systems, the inert nature of these surfaces characterized by saturated chemical bonds has been recognized from studies on charge transfer reactions and catalysis. In addition, studies on the role of the d-band electronic transitions and the dynamics of the photogene rated charge carriers in the relative stability of the photoelectrodes of the transition metal dichalcogenides have deepened the understanding of the interfacial photoreactions. Transition metal layered compounds are also recognized as ideal model compounds for the studies Involving surfaces: photoreactions, adsorption phenomena and catalysis, scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy and epitaxial growth of thin films. Recently, quantum size effects have been investigated in layered semiconductor colloids.

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Photovoltaic Properties of Solid State Junctions of Layered Semiconductors.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Special Structural Aspects of Layered Semiconductors, related to Photovoltaic Properties.- 3. Single Crystal Growth of Layered Compounds.- 4. Thin Film Preparation.- 5. Doping Experiments.- 6. Optical Properties.- 7. Transport Properties.- 8. Photovoltaic Properties.- 9. Outlook.- Acknowledgement.- References.- Electronic Structure, Coordination Photoelectrochemical Pathways and Quantum Energy Conversion by Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides.- 1. Introduction and Strategy.- 2. Electronic Structure and Photoelectrochemical Function.- 3. Layer Type Structure and Charge Carrier Dynamics.- 4. Discussion and Outlook.- Acknowledgement.- References.- Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells Based on Molybdenum and Tungsten Dichalcogenides.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Interfaces and Photoelectrochemistry.- 3. Photocatalytic Cells.- 4. Photoelectrochemical Cells for Solar Energy Conversion.- References.- Modification of Surface Properties of Layered Compounds by Chemical and (Photo) electrochemical Processes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Mechanism of the (photo)electrochemical Corrosion.- 3. Stabilization.- 4. Reduction of the Electrical Activity of Steps.- 4.2. Coating or electrodeposition of an organic polymer.- 4.3. Photoetching.- 5. Effect of Photo (electrodeposition) of Catalysts for Production of Chemicals.- Concluding Remarks.- Acknowledgement.- References.- Surface Studies of Layered Materials in Relation to Energy Converting Interfaces.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Crystal Structure of Layered Metal Chalcogenides.- 3. Electronic Structure of Layered Metal Chalcogenides.- 4. Interfaces.- 5. Surface and Interface Analysis.- 6. Surfaces of Layered Semiconductors.- 7. Layered Semiconductor/Adsorbate Interaction.- 8. Layered Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interaction.- 9. Layered Semiconductor/Metal Interaction.- 10. Semiconductor/Semiconductor Interfaces.- 11. Conclusions and Final Remarks.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Quantum Size Effects in Layered Semiconductor Colloids.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Preparation of Colloids.- 3. Quantized Semiconducting Colloids of Layered Materials.- 4. Conclusions.- 5. References.- Materials Aspects of Layered Semiconductors for Interfacial Photoconversion Devices.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Semiconducting Layered Compounds.- 3. Materials Aspects of Layered Compounds for Solar Energy Conversion.- 4. Preparation and Characteristics of Layered Materials.- 5. Concluding Remarks.- Acknowledgement.- References.