Oxygen-deficient WO3via high-temperature two-step annealing for enhanced and highly stable water splitting. Issue 55 (20th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Shasha; Courté, Marc; Peng, Jingjing; Fichou, Denis
• Is Part Of: Chemical communications. Volume 55:Issue 55(2019)
• Page Start: 7958
• Page End: 7961
• Publication Date: 2019-06-20
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c9cc03621k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-7345

Abstract

Abstract : In contrast with conventional one-step annealed WO3, high-temperature two-step annealed WO3 contains a higher concentration of oxygen deficiency, leading to more efficient charge separation and improved photocatalytic ability. Abstract : When grown according to the conventional one-step annealing process at 550 °C, WO3 exhibits low photocurrent density and inferior photocurrent retention. In contrast, after a two-step annealing process at first 550 °C and second 700 °C, WO3 contains a higher concentration of oxygen deficiencies acting as shallow donors, thus leading to improved charge separation. Importantly, this results in a substantial photocurrent increase and higher material stability, two criteria that are of utmost importance for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.