Abstract
Hematite (α-Fe2O3) photoanodes are widely studied as candidates for solar water splitting. Recent reports suggest that the photocurrent of thin film hematite photoanodes could be enhanced by using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) that give rise to plasmonic light trapping close to the hematite/electrolyte interface. This work examines the effect of Au NPs on the optical, electrochemical (in the dark), and photoelectrochemical (under illumination) properties of thin film (20–115 nm thick) Ti-doped hematite photoanodes. Au NPs were obtained by annealing 2.5–15 nm thick Au layers which led to dewetting and formation of 15–150 nm Au NPs, respectively. Au NPs on glass substrates displayed broad and shallow plasmonic peaks in the visible range, commensurate with the size distribution of the Au NPs. Two photoanode configurations with Au NPs decorating the surface or embedded under the hematite films were examined. Photoanodes of the first configuration displayed smaller photocurrents compared to counterpart photoanod...
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