On the Effect of Thermal Processing on Sn Diffusion and Efficiency Enhancement in Hematite/FTO Photoanodes

Author(s)

Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Ingrid ; Mourino, Beatriz ; Freitas, Andre L. M. ; Costa, Carlos A. R. ; Pires, Elcio L. ; Goncalves, Renato, V ; Vayssieres, Lionel ; Souza, Flavio L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ECS JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; v. 11, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2022-04-01.

Abstract

The frequently underestimated effects of "in air" thermal treatment processing conditions such as temperature, duration, and heating and cooling rates in the design and efficiency of photoelectrodes fabricated for academic studies onto the most common commercial transparent conductive glass substrate i.e. fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) were investigated by XRD, XPS, SEM, conductive AFM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as well as direct current (DC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements. The PEC response of Hematite photoanode thin films consisting of short nanorods thermally treated at 400 degrees C and 800 degrees C upon fast or extended time conditions is inhibited by factors such as crystallinity, Sn diffusion, or substrate integrity. A "fast" thermal treatment in air at 750 degrees C provided the best synergy between charge transfer resistance, Sn-diffusion from the FTO substrate, nanorod dimensions, reduced recombination, improved charge separation and minimized substrate damage. This study does offer valuable fundamental and practical insights for a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of photoelectrode thermal processing, which is critical for the improvement of the PEC performance-reproducibility relationship for FTO-based solar water splitting systems and devices. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/06654-9 - Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles in hematite photoelectrodes: effect of solid-solid interface on optical and electrical properties
• Grantee: Ingrid Guadalupe Rodriguez Gutierrez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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: 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: 17/02317-2 - Interfaces in materials: electronic, magnetic, structural and transport properties
• Grantee: Adalberto Fazzio
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• 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