Advances in Photoelectrochemistry: Investigating the Use of GLAD Technique for Optimization of WOx Photoelectrodes in Sustainable Hydrogen Generation

• Grant number: 24/05173-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: André Luis de Jesus Pereira
• Grantee: Helen Caroline de Souza Barros
• Supervisor: Martin Nicolas
• Host Institution: Divisão de Ciências Fundamentais (IEF). Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Institut Franche-Comté Electronique Mécanique Thermique Et Optique - Sciences Et Technologies, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/10449-7 - Study of Photoelectrodes of g-C3N4/WO3-x/FTO Applied in Solar Hydrogen Generation, BP.MS

Abstract

The urgent demand for sustainable energy technologies is amplified by the adverse environmental impacts of the intensive use of fossil fuels, particularly the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. In this scenario, photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, which uses solar energy to catalyze the oxidation of water, is emerging as a viable alternative due to its potential efficiency and sustainability. However, improving the efficiency of this technology under visible light, while keeping costs under control, remains a challenge. Tungsten oxide (WO3), an n-type semiconductor, shows promise for overcoming these barriers due to its low cost, low toxicity, and effectiveness under visible light. Magnetron Sputtering and Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) techniques are employed to fabricate WO3 films, with GLAD allowing precise control over the nanostructure of the films, which is crucial for increasing the surface area and improving the microstructure, boosting the efficiency of PEC devices in hydrogen production. This project aims to optimize WO3 photoelectrodes through these advanced fabrication techniques, seeking an effective solution for hydrogen generation through PEC processes, in line with global needs for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.