Metal oxide nanostructures applied in photoelectrochemical devices

• Grant number: 12/19926-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Grantee: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project was elaborated to obtain financing for research activities to be developed at Federal University of ABC. The main goal is to study of the electrical properties, electrochemical (solid-liquid interface) and photoelectrochemical performance of the metal oxides in scale nanometric scale synthesized on the transparent conductive substrates (which are called electrodes). The nanostructures are synthesized by wet chemical route, highlighting the conventional hydrothermal process and polymeric precursor's method. The choice of these methodologies on the lack of complexity (sophisticated apparatus) and by following the concept of so-called "green chemistry" (low environmental impact). For instance, will be produced electrodes Fe2O3 (hematite), ZnO (zinc oxide) and will have its electrical properties and electrochemical evaluated. The success of the project will be related to the beneficial impact of nanostructures developed for gain in the efficiency of converting solar energy into chemical energy, oxygen and hydrogen molecular, which meets the global concern in obtaining alternative sources of energy, clean and renewable. In this project, we will focus the discussion on the electrical and electrochemical characterization of nanostructures of iron oxide, zinc seeks to understand the interface properties and transport of semiconductor. Then convert that knowledge gained in the application of these materials in the production of hydrogen from photoelectrocatalytic molecule H2O (also known as "artificial photosynthesis"). As described in the next section, in the first project developed and financed by FAPESP agency the methodologies proposed for fabrication of the electrodes is beginning to pick semiconductor abundant in nature, low toxicity and can aggregate low cost in large scale production. Finally, we emphasize that the final product obtained from this nanostructured material is widely recognized as an important energy vector and / or clean and renewable source of energy, vital for feeding fuel cells and without major impacts to the environment. Are being requested $ 127,703.93 (U.S. dollar) in permanent material (equipment) and $ 20,000.00 (actual) for the implementation of this proposal, encompassing resource for material consumption and maintenance services. The experimental work will be conducted primarily in Laboratory of Alternative Energy and Nanomaterials at UFABC, but also are planned works involving the infrastructure of employees that will be identified later. (AU)

Scientific publications

(7)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ARAUJO JUNIOR, EDGAR ALVES; NOBRE, FRANCISCO XAVIER; SOUSA, GIANCARLO DA SILVA; CAVALCANTE, LAECIO SANTOS; DE MORAIS CHAVES SANTOS, MARIA RITA; SOUZA, FLAVIO LEANDRO; ELIAS DE MATOS, JOSE MILTON. Synthesis, growth mechanism, optical properties and catalytic activity of ZnO microcrystals obtained via hydrothermal processing. RSC ADVANCES, v. 7, n. 39, p. 24263-24281, 2017. (12/19926-8)

CARVALHO-, JR., WALDEMIR M.; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Thermal enhancement of water affinity on the surface of undoped hematite photoelectrodes. SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS, v. 144, p. 395-404, JAN 2016. (13/05471-1, 12/19926-8, 11/19924-2, 13/07296-2)

CUNHA, DANIEL M.; ITO, NATHALIE M.; XAVIER, ALLAN M.; ARANTES, JEVERSON T.; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Zinc oxide flower-like synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Thin Solid Films, v. 537, p. 97-101, JUN 30 2013. (12/19926-8, 11/18732-2)

CARVALHO, JR., WALDEMIR MOURA; VOLPATI, DIOGO; NUNES CARVALHO, VITOR A.; AROCA, RICARDO F.; CONSTANTINO, CARLOS J. L.; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Large-Area Plasmonic Substrate of Silver-Coated Iron Oxide Nanorod Arrays for Plasmon-Enhanced Spectroscopy. ChemPhysChem, v. 14, n. 9, p. 1871-1876, JUN 24 2013. (12/19926-8, 10/02464-6)

BELLIDO-AGUILAR, DANIEL ANGEL; TOFANELLO, ARYANE; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.; FURINI, LEONARDO NEGRI; LEOPOLDO CONSTANTINO, CARLOS JOSE. Effect of thermal treatment on solid-solid interface of hematite thin film synthesized by spin-coating deposition solution. Thin Solid Films, v. 604, p. 28-39, APR 1 2016. (12/19926-8, 11/19924-2, 13/07296-2)

DE CARVALHO, JR., WALDEMIR MOURA; SOUZA, FLAVIO LEANDRO. Recent advances on solar water splitting using hematite nanorod film produced by purpose-built material methods. Journal of Materials Research, v. 29, n. 1, p. 16-28, JAN 14 2014. (12/19926-8, 11/19924-2, 13/07296-2)

XAVIER, ALLAN MOREIRA; FERREIRA, FABIO FURLAN; SOUZA, FLAVIO LEANDRO. Morphological and structural evolution from akaganeite to hematite of nanorods monitored by ex situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. RSC ADVANCES, v. 4, n. 34, p. 17753-17759, 2014. (12/19926-8, 11/19924-2, 08/10537-3)