Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles in hematite photoelectrodes: effect of solid-solid interface on optical and electrical properties

• Grant number: 19/06654-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal researcher: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Grantee: Ingrid Guadalupe Rodriguez Gutierrez
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/02317-2 - Interfaces in materials: electronic, magnetic, structural and transport properties, AP.TEM

Abstract

The main goal of this post-doc research proposal is centered on the study of the interface of metallic nanoparticles supported on hematite photoelectrodes with aqueous solutions under presence and absence of visible light. To achieve the goals strategies to control synthesis and deposition parameters will be investigate to fabricate hematite deacorated with metallic nanoparticles. The viability of the developed materials for device construction some requeriments will be monitered and quantified such as the portion of sunlight absorbed, the photocurrent generation and chemical stability. In addition, the interaction with the groups of theory participating in the thematic project is expected to generate a volume of results to advance in understanding the transfer of charge and generation of chemical reactions at solid-solid interface (nanoparticles-electrodes-substrates) during the photoelectrolysis process. In this sense, the use of metallic nanoparticles of varied size and morphology is considered strategic to provide more efficient material for photoelectrochemical cells application. Two main reasons can be highlighted to justify the use of AuNP, which is increase the optical absorption and the injection or separation of charge during the chemical reaction assisted by light. It is important to highlight that the originality of the proposal is centered on the modulation of the photocurrent from the different morphologies of the nanoparticles (spherical, stick and multifaceted) allied to the way the plasmonic properties will be inserted in the device. (AU)

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)

RODRIGUEZ-GUTIERREZ, INGRID; SOUZA JUNIOR, JOAO B.; LEITE, EDSON R.; VAYSSIERES, LIONEL; SOUZA, FLAVIO L. An intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy study of the role of titanium in thick hematite photoanodes. Applied Physics Letters, v. 119, n. 7 AUG 16 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.