Ag-Functionalized CuWO4/WO3 nanocomposites for solar water splitting. (14th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salimi, R.; Sabbagh Alvani, A. A.; Mei, B. T.; Naseri, N.; Du, S. F.; Mul, G.
• Is Part Of: New journal of chemistry. Volume 43:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 2196
• Page End: 2203
• Publication Date: 2019-01-14
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie -- Périodiques; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nj05625k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1144-0546

Abstract

Abstract : A new plasmonic Ag-functionalized CuWO4 /WO3 hetero-structured photoanode was successfully prepared via a PVP-assisted sol–gel (PSG) route and electrophoretic deposition which reveals 4 times enhanced photocurrent density compared with pristine WO3 . Abstract : Ag-Functionalized CuWO4 /WO3 heterostructures were successfully prepared via a polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted sol–gel (PSG) route. Thin films prepared via electrophoretic deposition were used as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Compared to pristine CuWO4 and WO3 films, a significant enhancement of the photocurrent (3–4 times) at the thermodynamic potential for oxygen evolution (0.62 V vs. Ag/AgCl, pH 7) was obtained for the Ag-functionalized CuWO4 /WO3 photoanodes. The obtained enhancement is shown to be derived from a synergic contribution of heterostructure formation (CuWO4 /WO3 ) and improvements of light utilization by Ag-induced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effects. Accordingly, a photocurrent of 0.205 mA cm −2 at 0.62 V vs. Ag/AgCl under neutral conditions (without hole scavengers) under front-side simulated AM1.5G illumination was achieved. A detailed analysis of the obtained PEC data alongside performed impedance measurements suggests that charge seperation is significantly improved for the prepared Ag-functionalized CuWO4 /WO3 photoanodes. Our work offers beneficial insights to design new plasmonic metal/heterostructured nanocomposites for energy conversion applications.