SnO2 nanoparticles anchored on carbon spheres for enhanced charge generation and potentiodynamic effects

Abstract

Charge transfer kinetics and potentiodynamic of the electrode are critical for understanding the electrochemical behavior of semiconductor catalysts to achieve improved current densities via photoelectrochemical activity. Carbon nanospheres anchored with SnO2 particles were synthesized through a reduction of SnCl4 with N2H4 in aqueous solution, and their electrochemical activity and applied potential affected the photocurrent generation of the electrodes. Carbon-anchored SnO2 nanostructures showed a 420 % increase in photocurrent density in the light state compared with pristine carbon nanospheres and SnO2 nanoparticles. The onset potential of the 80-mV shift toward lower voltages was observed for carbon-anchored SnO2 nanostructures in comparison with pure carbon. Lowest resistance and Tafel slopes were observed for the carbon-anchored SnO2 nanostructures owing to heterostructure formation. The applied voltage had a substantial influence on the current production; the highest current generation was attained at 0.7 V in 0.1 M NaOH liquid electrolyte under illumination condition. Therefore, anchoring of organic nanostructures with semiconductor oxides 4.2-fold influences electrochemical activity, which is highly beneficial for attaining high current densities.