The present work is devoted to the improvement of key hematite properties, in order to achievean enhanced activity in photoelectrochemical (PEC) H2O splitting activated by visible light. To thisregard, Fe2O3 thin films prepared by electrodeposition on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrateswere modified by Zn introduction and/or treatment in hydrogen-containing atmospheres under controlledconditions. In particular, the combined Zn doping and hydrogen treatment enabled the developmentof Zn/H:alpha-Fe2O3 photoanodes with significantly improved performances than the pristinealpha-Fe2O3 (photocurrent density: 1.13 vs. 0.36 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V/RHE under visible light illumination).Optical absorption, Mott-Schottky and electrochemical characterization revealed that the combinedZn introduction and hydrogen treatment produced various effects, including an increase in donordensity and an enhanced optical absorption. As a result, a favorable performance improvement tookplace, paving the way to the eventual utilization of the target systems in PEC water splitting underreal-world conditions.
Hematite Thin Film Photoanodes for Visible Light Water Photooxidation: Effects of Zn Doping and Hydrogen Treatment
Saini N;Barreca D
2017
Abstract
The present work is devoted to the improvement of key hematite properties, in order to achievean enhanced activity in photoelectrochemical (PEC) H2O splitting activated by visible light. To thisregard, Fe2O3 thin films prepared by electrodeposition on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrateswere modified by Zn introduction and/or treatment in hydrogen-containing atmospheres under controlledconditions. In particular, the combined Zn doping and hydrogen treatment enabled the developmentof Zn/H:alpha-Fe2O3 photoanodes with significantly improved performances than the pristinealpha-Fe2O3 (photocurrent density: 1.13 vs. 0.36 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V/RHE under visible light illumination).Optical absorption, Mott-Schottky and electrochemical characterization revealed that the combinedZn introduction and hydrogen treatment produced various effects, including an increase in donordensity and an enhanced optical absorption. As a result, a favorable performance improvement tookplace, paving the way to the eventual utilization of the target systems in PEC water splitting underreal-world conditions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
