Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide Substrate Research Articles

Effect of Hydrothermal Reaction Temperature on the Structural and Optical Properties of CuO Thin Films

Copper oxides are one of the first semiconductors studied for device applications. In the present work, CuO thin films were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via hydrothermal method without using any surfactant and the effects of reaction temperature on the properties of the films were studied. CuO thin films deposited at different reaction temperatures were characterized for their structural and optical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Raman spectroscopy, and optical absorption measurements. XRD results revealed that all the films consisted of polycrystalline CuO with a monoclinic crystal structure without any impurity phase. SEM images showed that chrysanthemum-like structures were formed, the number of which increased with increasing hydrothermal reaction temperature. EDAX measurements proved the existence of Cu and O elements and showed that all the films have Cu/O ratios close to unity. The Raman spectra confirmed the formation of crystalline CuO in all the films. From the optical absorption measurements, the direct forbidden energy gap values of the CuO thin films were found to be between 1.34 eV and 1.41 eV, depending on the hydrothermal reaction temperature.

Influence of deposition potential and substrate characteristics on the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of p-SnS absorbing layers

In this study, thin films of tin sulfide (SnS) deposited on indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using Sn-S electrodeposition were systematically investigated. Notably, a novel non-toxic sulfur precursor was employed, emphasizing its role in ensuring the safety and environmental friendliness of the synthesis process. The research was focused on the influence of deposition potential and substrate type on the physical properties of SnS films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis disclosed distinct peaks corresponding to orthorhombic SnS phase planes (101), (111), and (040). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed a uniform distribution of essential components, particularly notable at −0.7 V on ITO and −0.9 V on FTO substrates. Raman spectroscopy identified characteristic peaks at 90 cm−1 and 222 cm−1. UV–visible spectrophotometry highlighted alterations in the optical band gap of SnS films on ITO (1.93 eV to 1.57 eV) and FTO (2.13 eV to 1.98 eV). Mott-Schottky analysis revealed consistent p-type conductivity behavior in the SnS layer, while both ITO and FTO layers exhibited n-type conductivity behavior. This characterization underscores the distinct electronic properties of each layer, providing valuable insights for the development of advanced optoelectronic devices. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) results demonstrated a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance (Rct) of SnS films on ITO at −0.7 V. The solar cell efficiency of the SnS absorber layer reached 2.2% on ITO at −0.7 V, contrasting with 1.47% on FTO at −0.9 V.

The Effect of the Solution Flow and Electrical Field on the Homogeneity of Large-Scale Electrodeposited ZnO Nanorods.

In this paper, we demonstrate the significant impact of the solution flow and electrical field on the homogeneity of large-scale ZnO nanorod electrodeposition from an aqueous solution containing zinc nitrate and ammonium nitrate, primarily based on the X-ray fluorescence results. The homogeneity can be enhanced by adjusting the counter electrode size and solution flow rate. We have successfully produced relatively uniform nanorod arrays on an 8 × 10 cm2 i-ZnO-coated fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using a compact counter electrode and a vertical stirring setup. The as-grown nanorods exhibit similar surface morphologies and dominant, intense, almost uniform near-band-edge emissions in different regions of the sample. Additionally, the surface reflectance is significantly reduced after depositing the ZnO nanorods, achieving a moth-eye effect through subwavelength structuring. This effect of the nanorod array structure indicates that it can improve the utilization efficiency of light reception or emission in various optoelectronic devices and products. The large-scale preparation of ZnO nanorods is more practical to apply and has an extremely broad application value. Based on the research results, it is feasible to prepare large-scale ZnO nanorods suitable for antireflective coatings and commercial applications by optimizing the electrodeposition conditions.

Investigational Study of Risk-Free Metal Oxide-Based Nanostructures for Identifying Urea in Dairy Products

Zinc oxide-based urea sensor was constructed over fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate using facile hydrothermal approach. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope were used to investigate the structural and morphological properties of the synthesized zinc oxide nanostructures, demonstrating the production of ZnO hexagonal Wurtzite structure (002 peak plane) and nanorod morphology, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry was performed on the constructed urea sensor at three different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mmol). The experiment yielded an average sensitivity of 0.1053 AmM−1cm−2.

The Effect of Electrodeposition Voltage on the Antioxidant Activity of Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are well known as free radical scavengers, which may induce cell damage, triggering degenerative diseases and premature aging. This research aims to assess the antioxidant activity of AuNPs synthesized via the electrodeposition method, employing cyclic voltammetry on a Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrate. By varying the initial voltage, the resulting AuNPs exhibit variations in both particle size and number. In this study, AuNPs demonstrated promising antioxidant potential, particularly at an initial voltage of -1 V, as evidenced by their ability to respond to DPPH radicals, yielding a percent inhibition of up to 36.80%.

Blended Copper and Nano-Silver Screen-Printed Circuits on FTO-Coated Glass

Using a mixture of micro-copper and nano-silver in the production of screen-printed circuits has the potential to reduce material costs and cost variability. The fundamental premise of this study involved dispersing silver nanoparticles among the larger copper microparticles at selected ratios and subsequently sintering in order to establish their resultant electrical and physical performance. Commercial materials were mixed, printed, and sintered at two thermal regimes on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrate. The inclusion of 25% silver provided an appreciable reduction in electrical resistance from 4.21 Ω to 0.93 Ω, with further silver additions having less impact. The thermal regime used for sintering had a secondary impact on the final electrical performance. The addition of silver reduced the adhesion to the FTO substrate, with reduced film integrity. The results show that blending inks offers the advantage of enhancing material conductivity while simultaneously reducing costs, making it a compelling area for exploration and advancement in the field of electronics manufacturing.

Internal piezoelectric field produced by tri-component (FTO: Sb-ZnO/MoS2) thin film for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and antibacterial activity

The detection of organic dyes, pharmaceuticals, and microorganisms in the water environment continues to be a major concern worldwide. Hence, we report a novel method whereby a tri-component (Sb-ZnO/MoS2) immobilized on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrate for piezo-photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants and bacterial disinfection. To determine the optical, electrochemical, physical, and chemical properties of the Sb-ZnO/MoS2, the following methods were applied, SEM & EDS, TEM, XRD, BET, UV-Vis DRS, PL, EIS and chronoamperometry. The SEM and TEM results showed long ZnO nanorods on the surface of stacked MoS2 nanosheets. Chronoamperometry studies showed that the Sb-ZnO/MoS2 tri-component exhibited a piezoelectric effect under ultrasonic vibration, indicating an internal piezoelectric field for inhibition of electrons and holes from recombination. According to PL studies, Sb-ZnO/MoS2 tri-component had a lower PL emission peak intensity, which suggests a better separation of electrons and holes. The developed tri-component was investigated for its catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and ciprofloxacin (CIP) under light and ultrasonic vibration. The coupling of light (photocatalysis) and ultrasonic irradiation (piezocatalysis) showed greater degradation efficiencies of 95, 82, and 72% for MB, MO, and CIP, respectively. The degree of mineralisation was recorded from total organic carbon (TOC) as 76, 70, and 52% for MB, MO, and CIP, respectively. In addition, Sb-ZnO/MoS2 tri-component was shown to have antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus bacterial strains. Therefore, this study reveals that the prepared Sb-ZnO/MoS2 tri-component can be applied for the simultaneous removal of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and disinfection of wastewater pollutants.

Prominent ferroelectric properties in multilayered TiO2 Mn-doped BiFeO3 spin-coated thin films

The study investigates the effects of doping on the leakage current and ferroelectric properties of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) thin film-based heterostructures. The spin coating method has been employed to deposit thin films of BiFeO3 and heterostructures of TiO2/BiFeO3 and TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates. The ferroelectric behavior of the TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 films exhibited better ferroelectric hysteresis loop compared to the other prepared films. The ferroelectric behavior reveals the TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 heterostructure showed a significantly lower leakage current density compared to both the BiFeO3 thin film and TiO2/BiFeO3 heterostructure, and the TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 heterostructures are likely suitable for solar cell applications. Highlights FTO/TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3/Au heterostructure thin films prepared by spin coating method. Structure and optical properties of TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 heterostructure thin films were investigated. TiO2/BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 heterostructure thin films showed a low optical energy band gap of 2.25 eV. Enhanced ferroelectric property in TiO2 thin film composited with BiFe0.95Mn0.05FeO3 thin films.

Physicochemical Properties of Tungsten Trioxide Photoanodes Fabricated by Wet Coating of Soluble, Particulate, and Mixed Precursors

Advanced oxidation processes are emerging technologies for the decomposition of organic pollutants in various types of water by harnessing solar energy. The purpose of this study is to examine the physicochemical characteristics of tungsten(VI) oxide (WO3) photoanodes, with the aim of enhancing oxidation processes in the treatment of water. The fabrication of WO3 coatings on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates was achieved through a wet coating process that utilized three different liquid formulations: a dispersion of finely milled WO3 particles, a fully soluble WO3 precursor (acetylated peroxo tungstic acid), and a combination of both (applying a brick-and-mortar strategy). Upon subjecting the WO3 coatings to firing at a temperature of 450 °C, it was observed that their properties exhibited marked variations. The fabricated photoanodes are examined using a range of analytical techniques, including profilometry, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and voltammetry. The experimental data suggest that the layers generated through the combination of particulate ink and soluble precursor (referred to as the brick-and-mortar building approach) display advantageous physicochemical properties, rendering them suitable for use as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells.

Rational Design of CoOOH/α-Fe2O3/SnO2 for Boosted Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation: The Roles of Underneath SnO2 and Surface CoOOH.

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) photoanode is a promising candidate for efficient PEC solar energy conversion. However, the serious charge recombination together with the sluggish water oxidation kinetics of α-Fe2O3 still restricts its practical application in renewable energy systems. In this work, a CoOOH/α-Fe2O3/SnO2 photoanode was fabricated, in which the ultrathin SnO2 underlayer is deposited on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate, α-Fe2O3 nanorod array is the absorber layer, and CoOOH nanosheet is the surface modifier, respectively. The resulting CoOOH/α-Fe2O3/SnO2 exhibited excellent PEC water splitting with a high photocurrent density of 2.05 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V vs RHE in the alkaline electrolyte, which is ca. 3.25 times that of bare α-Fe2O3. PEC characterizations demonstrated that SnO2 not only could block hole transport from α-Fe2O3 to FTO substrate but also could efficiently enhance the light-harvesting property and reduce the surface states by controlling the growth process of α-Fe2O3, while the CoOOH overlayer as cocatalysts could rapidly extract the photogenerated holes and provide catalytic active sites for water oxidation. Benefiting from the synergistic effects of SnO2 and CoOOH, the efficiency of the charge recombination and the overpotential for water oxidation of α-Fe2O3 are obviously decreased, resulting in the boosted PEC efficiency for water oxidation. The rational design and simple fabrication strategy display great potentials to be used for other PEC systems with excellent efficiency.

Antibacterial Hydrophilic ZnO Microstructure Film with Underwater Oleophobic and Self-Cleaning Antifouling Properties.

Super-hydrophilic and oleophobic functional materials can prevent pollution or adsorption by repelling oil, and have good circulation. However, traditional strategies for preparing these functional materials either use expensive fabrication machines or contain possibly toxic organic polymers, which may prohibit the practical application. The research of multifunctional ZnO microstructures or nanoarrays thin films with super-hydrophilic, antifouling, and antibacterial properties has not been reported yet. Moreover, the exploration of underwater oleophobic and self-cleaning antifouling properties in ZnO micro/nanostructures is still in its infancy. Here, we prepared ZnO microstructured films on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates (F-ZMF) for the development of advanced self-cleaning type super-hydrophilic and oleophobic materials. With the increase of the accelerators, the average size of the F-ZMF microstructures decreased. The F-ZMF shows excellent self-cleaning performance and hydrophilic (water contact angle ≤ 10°) and oleophobic characteristics in the underwater antifouling experiment. Under a dark condition, F-ZMF-4 showed good antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with inhibition rates of 99.1% and 99.9%, respectively. This study broadens the application scope of ZnO-based material and provides a novel prospect for the development of self-cleaning super-hydrophilic and oleophobic materials.

Influence of Band Alignment, Electric Field, Layer Thickness, Temperature, Series Resistance, and Shunt Resistance on Lead-Free Double Perovskite Solar Cells with Spiro-OMeTAD: A SCAPS-1D Simulation Study

Investigating the photovoltaic (PV) performance of lead-free double perovskite solar cells (DPSCs) with a structure comprising a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate, tungsten disulfide (WS2) as the electron transport layer (ETL), inorganic-lead free and non-toxic double perovskite La2NiMnO6 absorber, Spiro-OMeTAD as the hole transport layer (HTL), and gold (Au) electrode using the SCAPS-1D framework is crucial for optimizing their efficiency. Despite significant progress in DPSCs, there remains a research gap in understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying their performance, particularly in optimizing material properties and device architectures for enhanced efficiency. This study focuses on optimizing the device architecture by investigating the impact of band alignment, electric field, layer thickness, temperature, series resistance, and shunt resistance on enhancing DPSC performance. Achieving an power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.51% with detailed analysis of the DPSCs highlights the key factors influencing their efficiency. These findings contribute valuable insights into enhancing the performance of DPSCs, advancing their potential for widespread adoption in solar energy conversion.

Engineering NiO Thin Film Properties using Ag9+ Ion Irradiation at Various Fluences

The impact of the Ag9+ ion irradiation on the characteristics of nickel oxide (NiO) films with several ion fluences including 1 × 1012, 1 × 1013 and 1 × 1014 ions cm−2 has been studied. These films were deposited over fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate via spin coating technique. After that, structural, optical, vibrational, and electrical characteristics of all films were investigated employing different techniques. The change in the structure due to Ag9+ ion has been studied by GIXRD technique. A slight improvement in crystalline nature of NiO thin film was observed at 1 × 1012 ions cm−2 ion fluence that can be understood via thermal spike model. A decrement in value of transmission has been observed in the case of all thin films with ion fluence of Ag9+ ion. In addition, it was also observed that samples exposed to Ag9+ ions resulted in reduced intensity of the 1LO and 2LO modes in Raman spectrum. The reduced intensity of the Raman modes indicates the increment in the lattice defects. Further, AFM analysis showed that increment in the ion fluences of incident Ag9+ on NiO thin films led to an enhancement in surface roughness. Moreover, the Hall effect measurements were also carried out to examine the electrical characteristics of NiO films. From this measurement, it was observed that the conductivity of NiO varies along with the Ag9+ ions fluence, and it appears that the variation in resistivity follows the change in band gap.

Synthesis of Co3O4 electrodes by electrochemical deposition for water splitting reaction

Introduction: The use of Ni foam substrates for the growth of catalysts is a common practice in electrochemical water splitting reactions, although their stability in some electrolytes can be problematic, hindering the scalability of synthesis. This study aims to explore alternative substrates for catalyst growth, focusing on cobalt oxide (Co3O4) due to its potential in enhancing electrochemical water splitting efficiency. Methods: Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) was synthesized on various conductive substrates including fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), indium-doped tin oxide (ITO), and carbon cloth (CC), employing electrochemical deposition techniques. The morphological and crystalline properties of the Co3O4 coatings on these substrates were characterized and analyzed to understand their influence on the catalyst's performance in water splitting reactions. Results: The electrochemical deposition resulted in a more condensed coverage of Co3O4 on the CC substrate, attributed to the crystal's oriented aggregation. The crystallization and lattice development of Co3O4 varied significantly across different substrates, exhibiting high crystallization on FTO and ITO substrates but poorer crystallization on the CC substrate. Notably, the Co3O4/CC electrode demonstrated superior performance in hydrogen evolution reaction, achieving the lowest overpotential of -382 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. Conclusion: The findings suggest that carbon cloth (CC) presents a promising alternative to Ni foam substrates for the growth of Co3O4 catalysts in electrochemical water splitting applications. The enhanced performance of Co3O4/CC electrodes, particularly in terms of overpotential and crystallization behavior, highlights the potential of using CC substrates to improve the efficiency and scalability of water splitting reactions for sustainable hydrogen production.

Towards Sustainable Perovskite Solar Cells: Recycling Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Substrates for Environmental Impact

Towards Sustainable Perovskite Solar Cells: Recycling Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Substrates for Environmental Impact

Improving the charge separation efficiency by embedding the electron transfer layer of hematite photoanode for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

The photogenerated hole transfer from the bulk to the surface is highly valued in the rational design of advanced photoanodes. However, the transfer of photogenerated electrons to the FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide glass) substrate has a vital influence on the separation behaviors of photogenerated charges as well, which would regulate the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoanodes in turn. Herein, the W-TiO2/Ti-Fe2O3 heterojunction was fabricated for the first time by inserting W-TiO2 as the electron transfer layer between the Ti-Fe2O3 photoanode and the FTO substrate. Benefitting from the unique electron transport channel of W-TiO2, the photogenerated electrons in Ti-Fe2O3 could smoothly migrate to FTO, while photogenerated holes water oxidation kinetics is promoted and then easily participate in water oxidation reaction. As expected, W-TiO2/Ti-Fe2O3 exhibits a remarkable negative onset potential and a slight improved photocurrent density.

One-Step Dry Coating of Hybrid ZnO-WO3 Nanosheet Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with Composition-Dependent Performance.

In this study, the potential of zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten oxide (WO3), and their composites (ZnO-WO3) as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting was investigated. ZnO-WO3 nanocomposites (NCs) were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates at room temperature using a one-step dry coating process, the nanoparticle deposition system, with no post-processes. Different compositions of ZnO-WO3 NCs were optimized to enhance the kinetics of the PEC water-splitting reaction. Surface morphology analysis revealed the transformation of microsized particle nanosheets (NS) powder into nanosized particle nanosheets (NS) across all photoanodes. The optical characteristics of ZnO-WO3 photoanodes were scrutinized using diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence emission spectroscopy. Of all the hybrid photoanodes tested, the photoanode containing 10 wt.% WO3 exhibited the lowest bandgap of 3.20 eV and the lowest emission intensity, indicating an enhanced separation of photogenerated carriers and solar energy capture. The photoelectrochemical results showed a 10% increase in the photocurrent with increasing WO3 content in ZnO-WO3 NCs, which is attributed to improved charge transfer kinetics and carrier segregation. The maximum photocurrent for a NC, i.e., 10 wt.% WO3, was recorded at 0.133 mA·cm-2 at 1.23V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). The observed improvement in photocurrent was nearly 22 times higher than pure WO3 nanosheets and 7.3 times more than that of pure ZnO nanosheets, indicating the composition-dependence of PEC performance, where the synergy requirement strongly relies on utilizing the optimal ZnO-WO3 ratio in the hybrid NCs.

Enhancing the Photovoltaic Performance of Cd(1−x)ZnxS Thin Films Using Seed Assistance and EDTA Treatment

This research article provides a comprehensive investigation into the optoelectronic characteristics of three distinct types of cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films, namely: (a) conventionally prepared CdS thin films using chemical bath deposition (CBD-CdS), (b) CdS thin films produced via chemical bath deposition with the inclusion of zinc (CBD-Cd(1−x)ZnxS, x = 0.3), and (c) CdS thin films synthesized using a seed-assisted approach, treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and incorporating zinc (ED/CBD + EDTA-Cd(1−x)ZnxS). The investigation reveals that the crystallite size of these thin films decreases upon the addition of EDTA to the reaction solution, leading to an increase in the inter-planar spacing and dislocation density. Furthermore, a blue shift in the transmittance edge of the ED/CBD + EDTA-Cd(1−x)ZnxS samples compared to CBD-CdS implies modifications in the band gaps of the deposited films. The incorporation of Zn2+ into the reaction solution results in an increased band gap value of up to 2.42 eV. This suggests that Cd(1−x)ZnxS thin films permit more efficient photon transmission compared to conventional CdS. Among the three types of films studied, ED/CBD + EDTA-Cd(1−x)ZnxS exhibits the highest optical band gap of 2.50 eV. This increase in the optical band gap is attributed to the smaller crystallite size and the splitting of the tail levels from the band structure. Additionally, the increment in the optical band gap leads to reduced light absorption at longer wavelengths, thereby enhancing the electrical properties. Notably, ED/CBD + EDTA-Cd(1−x)ZnxS thin films demonstrate improved photovoltaic performance in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell, characterized by enhanced open-circuit voltage (363 mV, VOC), short-circuit current (35.35 μA, ISC), and flat-band voltage (−692 mV, Vfb). These improvements are attributed to the better adhesion of CdS to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate and improved inter-particle connectivity.

Growth of Low-defect Si-Doped Ga2O3 Film on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide Substrate for Self-powered and High-performance Ultraviolet Photodetector

Growth of Low-defect Si-Doped Ga₂O₃ Film on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide Substrate for Self-powered and High-performance Ultraviolet Photodetector

Nanostructured FTO/Zr-hematite interfaces for solar water-splitting applications

Production of green hydrogen via photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes is strategic to store and distribute solar-harvested energy. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is a promising photoactive photoanode material candidate for PEC applications, but its synthesis as a photoanode thin film needs improvements to optimize the PEC device's performance. We have previously explored a new strategy consisting of the use of Zr4+ as a surfactant (Zr-hematite) and Ni2+ as a co-catalyst element in the synthesis of hematite photoanode thin films deposited onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) on a glass substrate, obtaining a significant enhancement of device performance. In this work, we demonstrated how the interface and surface conditions are affected by the incorporation of Zr4+ and Ni2+. Chemical mapping performed during scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis indicated that Zr4+ preferentially segregated at the FTO/Zr-hematite interface and grain boundaries, while Ni2+ was only present on hematite-free surfaces. The Zr4+ between the hematite and substrate interface was associated with improved back contact, facilitating electron collection and favoring electron flow through the external circuit. Structural analysis of this interface region revealed lattice distortions and strain field accumulation at the FTO/Zr-hematite interface, which differed from the expected crystal structures of the database. Additionally, local FTO/Zr-hematite energy maps showed a 2.5-nm thick interface area containing a solid mixture of SnFeOx. Moreover, a change in the electronic state of Sn and Fe on the surface of the FTO substrate and Zr-hematite grains caused by the loss of oxygen atoms was observed. NiFeOx chemical bonding was observed with Ni addition by photoelectrodeposition on the Zr-hematite-free surface. This strong interaction explains the long-term stability test without traces of photocorrosion (ion release into the solution), as demonstrated in a previous paper. These findings introduce a novel perspective for developing strategies that enable synergistic photoanode modifications toward efficient solar-to-energy conversion.