Structural and optical investigation of Nb⁵⁺-doped Sn₃O₄ for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production

Author(s)

Romeiro, Fernanda da Costa ; Perini, Joao Angelo Lima ; Zanoni, Maria Valnice Boldrin ; Orlandi, Marcelo Ornaghi

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF SOLIDS; v. 196, p. 9-pg., 2024-09-26.

Abstract

We report herein, the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) synthesis of Nb5+-doped Sn3O4 nanoparticles for the photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen (H-2). Nb5+ ions inside the Sn3O4 created structural defects, contributing to a local structural disorder, as confirmed by micro-Raman spectra. Photoluminescence spectroscopy indicated the decrease of the violet-blue-green visible emission after adding Nb5+, revealing the formation of alternative energy pathways for the electron/hole recombination. Through the morphological analysis, it was observed that the Nb5+ dopant slightly changed the morphology of nano-petals in Sn3O4. We demonstrate that the 3 % Nb5+ doped-Sn3O4 photoanode presented higher charge carrier mobility, higher photocurrent density, and an impressive H-2 production of 1.50 mmol L-1 in a 3 h experiment, compared to the pure Sn3O4 material. The best performance of the Nb5+ doped Sn3O4 nanomaterial could be ascribed to the formation of new energy levels in the Sn3O4 band gap, thereby inhibiting the electron-hole pair recombination and positively affecting the photoelectrochemical response of the doped material. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/24839-0 - Nanoelectronics and nanoscale electrochemistry: fundaments and applications
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto Bueno
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/18856-5 - Photo(electro)chemical applications for the production of renewable fuels using nanocomposites based on tin oxide (SnO and Sn3O4) and carbon compounds (reduced graphene oxide and graphitic carbon nitride)
• Grantee: Fernanda da Costa Romeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/50945-4 - INCT 2014: National Institute for Alternative Technologies of Detection, Toxicological Evaluation and Removal of Micropollutants and Radioactivies
• Grantee: Maria Valnice Boldrin
• 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
• FAPESP's process: 16/18057-7 - CO2 reduction aiming to generate value-added compounds by photocatalysis/photoelectrocatalysis using ionic liquid in a pressurized reactor
• Grantee: João Angelo de Lima Perini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral