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

• Grant number: 19/06654-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2019
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Grantee: Ingrid Guadalupe Rodriguez Gutierrez
• 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: 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

(4)

(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. (19/06654-9, 17/11986-5, 13/07296-2, 17/02317-2)

RODRIGUEZ-GUTIERREZ, INGRID; MOURINO, BEATRIZ; FREITAS, ANDRE L. M.; COSTA, CARLOS A. R.; PIRES, ELCIO L.; GONCALVES, RENATO, V; VAYSSIERES, LIONEL; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. On the Effect of Thermal Processing on Sn Diffusion and Efficiency Enhancement in Hematite/FTO Photoanodes. ECS JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, v. 11, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2022-04-01. (19/06654-9, 17/11986-5, 17/11986-5, 17/02317-2, 13/07296-2)

RODRIGUEZ-GUTIERREZ, INGRID; BEDIN, KAREN CRISTINA; MOURINO, BEATRIZ; SOUZA JUNIOR, JOAO BATISTA; SOUZA, FLAVIO LEANDRO. Advances in Engineered Metal Oxide Thin Films by Low-Cost, Solution-Based Techniques for Green Hydrogen Production. NANOMATERIALS, v. 12, n. 12, p. 21-pg., 2022-06-01. (17/11986-5, 19/06654-9, 17/02317-2, 13/07296-2)

THOMAZ, KELLY T. C.; BEDIN, KAREN C.; RODRIGUEZ-GUTIERREZ, INGRID; VERISSIMO, NATHALIA C.; BETTINI, JEFFERSON; SOUZA, FLAVIO L.. Interfacial engineering of hematite photoanodes toward high water splitting performance. MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY, v. 37, p. 11-pg., 2023-10-01. (17/11986-5, 17/02317-2, 21/07459-5, 19/06654-9)