Sunlight-driven water splitting using hematite nanorod photoelectrodes

Author(s)

Souza, Flavio L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 90, n. 1, 1, p. 745-762, 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The efficiency of nanostructures for photoelectrochemical water-splitting is fundamentally governed by the capability of the surface to sustain the reaction without electron trapping or recombination by photogenerated holes. This brief review will summarize the latest progress on hematite, designed with columnar morphology via chemical synthesis, for photoelectrochemical cell application. The columnar morphology efficiently minimizes the number of defects, grain boundaries, and surface traps normally present on the planar morphology. The major drawback related to hole diffusion through the solid/liquid interface was addressed by using high annealing temperature combined with dopant addition. A critical view and depth of understanding of these two parameters were discussed focusing on the molecular oxygen evolution mechanism from the sunlight-driven water oxidation reaction. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/19924-2 - Study and development of advanced novel materials: electronic, magnetic and nanostructured: an interdisciplinary approach
• Grantee: Carlos Rettori
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/02157-2 - Understanding the hematite nanostructured surface performing water adsorption microcalorimetry
• Grantee: Flavio Leandro de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC