The Synergetic Benefits of Passivation Layer and Catalytic Layer on Hematite for Efficient Water Splitting. Issue 4 (25th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Xiaoqin; Cao, Shiyao; Huan, Yahuan; Bai, Zhiming; Li, Minghua; Wu, Hailin; Zhang, Ruxiao; Peng, Wencai; Ji, Zhen; Yan, Xiaoqin
• Is Part Of: Energy technology. Volume 7:Issue 4(2019:Apr.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-03-25
• Subjects: FeOOH catalytic layers -- hematite -- PEC water splitting -- surface defects passivation -- synergetic benefits; Energy development -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1002/ente.201800899
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2194-4288

Abstract

Abstract : In photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting systems, an overlayer on the surface of the semiconductor has always been pursued with tremendous interest. The multicomponent Fe2 O3 /Fe x Sn1− x O4 /FeOOH photoanode is designed to achieve efficient water splitting. The photocurrent density of Fe2 O3 /Fe x Sn1− x O4 /FeOOH photoanode is 1.70 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), improved by 121.1%, compared with that of the pristine hematite photoanode (0.77 mA cm −2 at 1.23 V vs RHE) under air mass (AM) 1.5 illumination (100 mW cm −2 ). Detailed characterization is carried out to explore the main factors of photocurrent enhancement. The excellent PEC performance could be attributed to the synergetic benefits of Fe x Sn1− x O4 passivation layer and FeOOH catalyst, which reduce the rate of electron–hole recombination and improve water oxidation reaction kinetics. The results prove a new sight to achieve efficient PEC water splitting. Abstract : The excellent PEC water splitting performance of Fe2 O3 /Fe x Sn1− x O4 /FeOOH photoanode can be attributed to the synergetic benefits of Fe x Sn1− x O4 passivation layer and FeOOH catalyst, which reduce the electron–hole recombination and improve water oxidation reaction kinetics. Furthermore, the Fe x Sn1− x O4 interlayer simultaneously decreases the resistance of the electrode interior and the resistance across the electrode/electrolyte interface.