On electron loss lowering at hematite photoelectrode interfaces

Author(s)

Bedin, Karen C. ; Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Ingrid ; Peregrino, Lizandra R. P. ; Vayssieres, Lionel ; Souza, Flavio L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the American Ceramic Society; v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2022-04-04.

Abstract

Photoelectrodes nanoscale interface design has become a key factor to enhancing their photoelectrochemical performance for water splitting by reducing the photogenerated charge recombination, thus ensuring their efficient separation, transport, and collection. In this work, hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) photoanodes were prepared from a simple and scalable methodology capable of synergistically mitigating the charge loss and recombination at all interfaces (i.e., fluorine-doped tin oxide/hematite, hematite/hematite, and hematite/electrolyte) and achieving overall efficiency of similar to 50% for the water oxidation reaction compared to pristine photoelectrodes. The external quantum efficiency at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode of pristine hematite was enhanced 6.7 times with the modifications of the three interfaces (Al2O3/NbH/NiFeOx). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopies were applied to probe and monitor the photogenerated charge carrier dynamics revealing a substantial improvement in charge separation and collection at the back-contact interface as well as a partial mitigation of the surface states at the hematite-electrolyte interface. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/02317-2 - Interfaces in materials: electronic, magnetic, structural and transport properties
• Grantee: Adalberto Fazzio
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 21/07459-5 - Control of electronic properties of columnar hematite nanostructure by double transition elements insertion for photoelectrocatalitic water splitting
• Grantee: Karen Cristina Bedin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral