Hydrogen-stimulated changes of properties of silver–porous silicon interfaces

Electrical characteristics of Ag–PS interfaces under ambient humidity were investigated. The humidity–voltaic effect, i.e. the generation of open-circuit voltage in Ag–PS interface in humid atmosphere (up to 200 mV at 90% relative humidity) is discovered. Humidity-stimulated voltage generation is mainly caused by hydrogen component of water-vapour of ambient. The possible mechanism related with H-stimulated generation of voltage in Ag–PS interface is suggested.