Effect of metallic nanoparticles in catalytic photoelectric properties of hematite electrodes

• Grant number: 16/01000-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: September 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Grantee: Aryane Tofanello de Souza
• 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): 19/01977-4 - Effect of metallic nanoparticles in catalytic photoelectric properties of hematite electrodes, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

This post-doctoral project is focused on the synthesis and characterization of photocatalytic iron oxide thin films on the hematite phase functionalized with metal nanoparticles for use in devices for generating hydrogen from water splitting. It aims to analyze the strategies of synthesis and controlled deposition of mass hematite and metal nanoparticles, quantifying the amount of light absorbed, generating photocurrent and thus demonstrate the device's viability. The proposal is linked to an international collaborative project FAPESP-AKA proc. 2014 / 50516-6 (valid until February 2018) whose main purpose improve the performance of artificial photosynthesis using nanomaterials in iron oxide electrodes. In this sense, the proposed work will contribute the possibility of such devices improves the photocurrent through the synergy effect of the plasmon of the metallic nanoparticles on the thin film surface of hematite. The use of metal nanoparticles of varying size and morphology is considered strategic with regard to the construction of photoelectrochemical cell and two main factors justify its use: the higher optical absorption of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the possibility of injection and charge separation assisted by surface plasmon, assisting in electron transfer catalyst. Importantly, the originality of the proposal focuses on the modulation of the photocurrent from the different morphologies of the metallic nanoparticles (spherical, rod and multifaceted) coupled with the way the plasmonic properties will be inserted into the device.

Scientific publications

(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)

TOFANELLO, A.; DIAO, Z.; DJATOUBAI, E.; SU, J. Z.; SHEN, S. H.; SOUZA, F. L.; VAYSSIERES, L.. Engineering hematite/plasmonic nanoparticle interfaces for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting. Journal of Applied Physics, v. 128, n. 6, AUG 14 2020. (19/01977-4, 16/01000-2)

TOFANELLO, ARYANE; SHEN, SHAOHUA; DE SOUZA, FLAVIO LEANDRO; VAYSSIERES, LIONEL. Strategies to improve the photoelectrochemical performance of hematite nanorod-based photoanodes. APL Materials, v. 8, n. 4, APR 1 2020. (19/01977-4, 16/01000-2)

TOFANELLO, ARYANE; FREITAS, ANDRE L. M.; CARVALHO, JR., WALDEMIR M.; SALMINEN, TURKKA; NIEMI, TAPIO; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Hematite Surface Modification toward Efficient Sunlight-Driven Water Splitting Activity: The Role of Gold Nanoparticle Addition. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, v. 124, n. 11, p. 6171-6179, MAR 19 2020. (14/50516-6, 16/01000-2)