Incorporation of NiO electrocatalyst with α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst for enhanced and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Herein we report hydrothermally synthesized α-Fe2O3 photocatalyst integrated with chemically deposited NiO electrocatalyst with improved photoelectrochemical water splitting performance as well as high stability. The prepared photoanode is characterized by various techniques to obtain the morphological information. The photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of the fabricated photoanode is evaluated and several kinetic parameters are extracted. Unlike previous reports on NiO/α-Fe2O3 photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting, stable photocurrent is achieved. Kinetic studies reveal 24 and 180 times increase in exchange current density at NiO/α-Fe2O3 compared to the pristine α-Fe2O3 with and without illumination, respectively. Consequently, 6 times increase in oxygen evolution is achieved due to synergistic effect of α-Fe2O3 and NiO.