Abstract
Understanding the effect of electrochemical reaction on a particular material at the nanoscale level is essential for the application of solar conversion technology. Herein, electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (CV) treatment was applied on the α-Fe2O3 thin films by varying the number of cycles between 0 and 100. The thorough investigation provides insight into the modifications on the properties of the CV-treated films. The performance of pristine and CV-treated α-Fe2O3 as photoanodes are evaluated in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting cell. Consecutive CV scans up to the optimum number of cycles (50 cycles) promote the photocurrent density, where the photocurrent value at 0.6 VAg/AgCl becomes about 1.5 times higher than the pristine α-Fe2O3. This remarkable enhancement in PEC performance is due to the synergistic effect between the change of crystal orientation, the enhancement of surface oxygen vacancies and the increase of free charge carrier density. Our findings provide valuable information of possible pathway for improving the photoelectrochemical performance of a photoanode.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
