Tailoring WO₃ photoelectrodes with defect-rich MoO_3-x nanosheets for efficient water splitting reaction

Author(s)

Santos, Hugo L. S. ; Bezerra, Leticia S. ; Camargo, Pedro H. C. ; Mascaro, Lucia H.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry; v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2025-03-26.

Abstract

Despite its potential for photochemical and photoelectrochemical applications, tungsten trioxide (WO3) presents limitations due to its wide bandgap and rapid charge carrier recombination. Here, the photoelectrochemical performance of WO3 films were enhanced by incorporating defect-rich MoO3-x nanosheets. The WO3 films were produced using a simple polymer-assisted deposition (PAD) method and subsequently modified with defect-rich MoO3-x nanosheets, prepared via solvothermal synthesis, by drop-casting. Electronic microscopy revealed that WO3 exhibited an agglomerated nano-globular structure with several fissures where the MoO3-x nanosheets were anchored. In terms of photoelectrochemical performance, the optimal WO3/MoO3-x film exhibited photocurrent densities of 1.30 +/- 0.12 mA cm(-2) and 3.20 +/- 0.2 mA cm(-2) under solar simulator and LED 427 nm illumination, respectively, doubling the photocurrent density of bare WO3. This enhanced performance was attributed to the formation of a type II heterojunction, which facilitates more efficient charge carrier separation and due to the catalytic enhancement for the oxygen evolution reaction provided by MoO3-x. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/08184-0 - Unraveling the effect of size and composition over the photoelectrocatalytic activity of hybrid systems containing CuO and plasmonic nanoparticles
• Grantee: Hugo Leandro Sousa dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/26860-2 - Synthesis and modification of CuO/Ga2O4 and Cu2O/Ga2O4 nanostructured films applied in H2 production from water photoelectrochemical reduction of water
• Grantee: Hugo Leandro Sousa dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• 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