Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of α-Fe2O3 photoanode modified with NiCo layered double hydroxide

Abstract

It is an effective way to improve the photoanode photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance by loading appropriate cocatalyst. In this work, NiCo-LDH cocatalyst was prepared by hydrothermal method on α-Fe2O3 photoanode. The results show that with the loading of NiCo-LDH, the photocurrent of the α-Fe2O3/NiCo-LDH composite photoanode at 1.23 V vs. RHE is 0.428 mA/cm2, which is 4.75 times that of the pure α-Fe2O3 electrode. At time, the starting potential of the photoanode undergoes a negative shift of about 300 mV, effectively reducing the driving force required for water oxidation. In addition, the charge separation and transfer in the photoelectrode are significantly improved by the α-Fe2O3/NiCo-LDH heterojunction and the NiCo-LDH cocatalyst, and the charge transport are further promoted. These findings provide a feasible approach to improve the application of α-Fe2O3 photoanodes in PEC decomposition of water in the future.