Development of inorganic material nanostructures for conversion and storage of solar energy

• Grant number: 14/11736-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Grantee: André Luiz Martins de Freitas
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/19924-2 - Study and development of advanced novel materials: electronic, magnetic and nanostructured: an interdisciplinary approach, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 17/25935-3 - Understanding the charge transport at hematite photoelectrodes interfaces, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

The theme of this work plan is the study of the electrical, electrochemical (solid-liquid interface) and photoelectrochemical properties of inorganic nanostructures grown in transparent conducting substrates (which will be called electrodes). The nanostructures will be synthesized by wet chemical process, with emphasis on the hidrothermal process. The choice of this methodology is due to its lack of complexity and its low environmental impact. Among the nanostructured electrodes that will be produced, Fe2O3 (hematite) one-dimensional structures (1D) obtained using hidrotermal conditions stand out. This way, the main focus of the work plan is the electrical and electrochemical characterization of the iron oxide nanostructures with the intent to understand the interface and transport properties of this semiconductor and then convert this gained knowledge in the application of these materials in the production of molecular hidrogen through the photoelectrolysis of the H2O molecule (also know an artificial photosynthesis). (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(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)

FREITAS, ANDRE L. M.; MUCHE, DERECK N. F.; LEITE, EDSON R.; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Interface engineering of nanoceramic hematite photoelectrode for solar energy conversion. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, v. 103, n. 12, p. 6833-6846, DEC 2020. (14/11736-0, 17/02317-2)

CARMINATI, SAULO AMARAL; BARBOSA, ANDRE DO NASCIMENTO; MARTINS DE FREITAS, ANDRE LUIZ; FREIRE, JR., FERNANDO LAZARO; SOUZA, FLAVIO LEANDRO; NOGUEIRA, ANA FLAVIA. Unraveling the role of single layer graphene as overlayer on hematite photoanodes. JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS, v. 372, p. 109-118, APR 2019. (15/23775-3, 17/11986-5, 14/11736-0)

FREITAS, ANDRE L. M.; TOFANELLO, ARYANE; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.; LI, YAT. Insights on Thickness-Dependent Charge Transfer Efficiency Modulated by Ultrasonic Treatment in Hematite Photoanodes. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, v. 125, n. 18, p. 9981-9989, MAY 13 2021. (17/11986-5, 14/11736-0, 17/25935-3)

FREITAS, ANDRE L. M.; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Synergetic effect of Sn addition and oxygendeficient atmosphere to fabricate active hematite photoelectrodes for light- induced water splitting. Nanotechnology, v. 28, n. 45, NOV 10 2017. (14/11736-0, 14/50516-6, 13/07296-2)

FREITAS, ANDRE L. M.; CARVALHO, JR., WALDEMIR M.; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Enhanced water oxidation efficiency of hematite thin films by oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Journal of Materials Research, v. 30, n. 23, p. 3595-3604, DEC 14 2015. (14/50516-6, 14/11736-0, 11/19924-2, 13/07296-2)