MWCNTs and Cu2O sensitized TiFe2O3 photoanode for improved water splitting performance. (22nd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verma, Anuradha; Srivastav, Anupam; Sharma, Shailja; Badami, Pavan; Satsangi, Vibha Rani; Shrivastav, Rohit; Kannan, Arunachala M.; Avasthi, Devesh Kumar; Dass, Sahab
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 12(2018)
• Page Start: 6049
• Page End: 6059
• Publication Date: 2018-03-22
• Subjects: Multi-walled carbon nano tubes -- Copper oxide -- Heterojunction -- Photoelectrochemical activity -- Hydrogen generation; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.01.204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Fe2 O3 and Cu2 O, both earth abundant materials are used in functionalizing Ti doped Fe2 O3 photoanodes with Cu2 O and MWCNTs for improving photoelectrochemical performance for hydrogen generation. Pristine Ti doped Fe2 O3 are fabricated by spray pyrolysis deposition method on the conducting ITO coated glass substrate. Two different modifications are adopted to improve the photoelectrochemical performance of pristine sample by subsequent deposition of multi walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) alone and also in combination with Cu2 O. Better photoresponse in modified samples is attributed to increase in conductivity and promotion of electron transport to Fe2 O3 layer due to presence of MWCNTs while formation of heterojunction also promotes charge transfer kinetics by effective separation of charge carriers. Offering high photocurrent density of 5.17 mA cm −2 at 1 V vs SCE, high open circuit voltage ( V oc ), least resistance, higher negative flat band potential ( V fb ), TiFe2 O3 /(MWCNTs + Cu2 O), emerges as the most photoactive sample. High applied bias photon to current conversion efficiency ( ABPE ) value of 4.6% is obtained for the modified sample against 0.07% ABPE for TiFe2 O3 photoanodes. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Role of MWCNTs and heterojunction formation in TiFe2 O3 /(MWCNTs + Cu2 O) photoanode. High photocurrent density of 5.17 mA cm −2 reported using MWCNTs and Cu2 O with TiFe2 O3 . Maximum ABPE of 4.6% achieved in TiFe2 O3 /(MWCNTs + Cu2 O) photoanode.