Hematite-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting: Performance, understanding, and possibilities. Issue 1 (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Hang; Fan, Xiaoli; Li, Yan; Guo, Hu; Jiang, Wei; Liu, Guigao
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 11:Issue 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: PEC water splitting -- Hematite -- Doping -- Co-catalyst loading -- Heterostructure construction; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.109224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is considered a prospective and attractive way to transforming solar energy to hydrogen (H2 ). Hematite (α-Fe2 O3 ) is an n-type semiconductor material, having the strength of suitable bandgap, relatively wide light absorption range, high chemical stability, and abundant reserve, which makes it a promising alternative as photoanode material for PEC water splitting. Ever since the earliest research of α-Fe2 O3 for PEC water splitting, numerous efforts have been dedicated to developing different strategies for synthesizing and modifying α-Fe2 O3 to boost its performance, which has resulted in notable progress in recent years. In this paper, various synthesis methods and modification strategies of α-Fe2 O3 in PEC applications are reviewed, principally concentrating on nanostructure design, element doping, co-catalyst modification, heterostructure construction and modification and so forth. In the end, a personal perspective on the challenges and opportunities of this promising material is put forward. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: This review provides a deep understanding on the progress and underlying mechanism of PEC water splitting for hematite-based photoanodes. This paper concludes the general design principles for efficient Fe2 O3 -based photoanodes, thus guiding the design of other PEC materials. The challenges and opportunities of Fe2 O3 are presented, which would direct the further exploration of Fe2 O3 -based PEC materials.