Photoanodes For Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Research Articles

Insights into interface engineering of g-C3N4/NaNbO3 heterojunction for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Green hydrogen is a very attractive energy source, a widely studied strategy among scientists to produce it is using metal oxide semiconductors as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The main challenge is to produce a photocatalyst that is stable and efficient enough to be commercially viable. In this sense, several different combinations of materials have been studied. Here, we report the preparation of g-C3N4/NaNbO3 coupled to Pt-based species (Pt-g-C3N4/NaNbO3) and its potential application as a photoanode for water photosplitting. NaNbO3 was chosen for its suitable properties, g-C3N4 was used to enhance the visible light activity, and Pt species were added to perform as a co-catalyst avoiding recombination of photogenerated charges. The main innovations are the reduced time and energy-consuming procedure to prepare NaNbO3 and the direct polymerization of the g-C3N4 on the NaNbO3. Results demonstrate the successful synthesis of the Pt-g-C3N4/NaNbO3 heterojunction; however, the resultant system showed low efficiency, probably for forming a layer of g-C3N4 on the top of NaNbO3 and electrically active surface states at the semiconductor/solution interfaces. Besides that, this study contributes valuable insights into the design of photoelectrodes for sustainable hydrogen production, especially due to the detailed research on the formation of the heterojunction.

Exploring the role of ZnS as passivation layer on SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction photoanode for improved solar water splitting

Sustainable energy harvesting has emerged as a frontier research area and relentless efforts are being put in to tackle the tenacious issues of global warming and energy crisis. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is regarded as a promising technology to produce H2. In this study, we report facile fabrication of ZnS modified SrTiO3/Bi2S3 (STO) heterojunction photoanode for PEC water splitting. Ternary heterojunction photoanode was fabricated using sol-gel followed by SILAR methods. Coupling of wide band gap STO with narrow band gap Bi2S3 photosensitizer extends the absorption edge while the ZnS passivation layer improves electrode stability by preventing direct contact of Bi2S3 with electrolyte and providing an active energy state for facile charge transfer to improve charge separation. Decreased rate of recombination and elongated lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers resulted in enhanced charge carrier dynamics. STO/Bi2S3/ZnS photoanodes displayed a photocurrent density (J) of 1.89 mA.cm−2 at 1.23 V vs RHE and HC-STH of 1.19% at 0.42 V vs RHE in neutral medium while the corresponding values in basic medium were J = 5.08 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V RHE and HC-STH 4.8% at 0.71 V vs RHE; considerably higher than bare STO and binary STO/Bi2S3 electrodes. The superior performance in basic medium could be attributed to the presence of hole scavengers. The improved photostability >3000 s was attributed to ZnS deposition. To better under the role of hole scavengers the quantification of O2 and H2 was undertaken.

Fabrication of ZnO Scaffolded CdS Nanostructured Photoanodes with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Activity under Visible Light.

CdS, characterized by its comparatively narrow energy band gap (∼2.4 eV), is an appropriate material for prospective use as a photoanode in photoelectrochemical water splitting. Regrettably, it encounters several obstacles for practical and large-scale applications, including issues such as bulk carrier recombination and diminished conductivity. Here, we have tried to address these challenges by fabricating a novel photoelectrode (ZnO/CdS) composed of one-dimensional ZnO nanorods (NRs) decorated with two-dimensional CdS nanosheets (NSs). A facile two-step chemical method comprising electrodeposition along with chemical bath deposition is employed to synthesize the ZnO NRs, CdS NSs, and ZnO/CdS nanostructures. The prepared nanostructures have been investigated by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy. The fabricated ZnO/CdS nanostructures have shown enhanced photoelectrochemical properties due to the improvement of the semiconductor junction surface area and thereby enhanced visible light absorption. The incorporation of CdS NSs has been further found to promote the rate of the charge separation and transfer process. Subsequently, the fabricated ZnO/CdS photoelectrodes achieved a photocurrent conversion efficiency 3 times higher than that of a planar ZnO NR photoanode and showed excellent performance under visible light irradiation. The highest applied bias photon-to-current conversion efficiency (% ABPE) of about ∼0.63% has been obtained for the sample with thicker CdS NSs on ZnO NRs with a photocurrent density of ∼1.87 mA/cm2 under AM 1.5 G illumination. The newly synthesized nanostructures further demonstrate that the full photovoltaic capacity of nanomaterials is yet to be exhausted.

Enhanced bulk and interfacial charge transfer in Fe:VOPO4 modified Mo:BiVO4 photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. However, its performance is greatly hindered by poor bulk and interfacial charge transfer. Herein, to address this issue, iron doped vanadyl phosphate (Fe:VOPO4) was grafted on molybdenum doped BiVO4 (Mo:BiVO4) for significantly enhancing charge transfer and oxygen evolution kinetics simultaneously. Consequently, the resultant Fe:VOPO4/Mo:BVO4 photoanode exhibits a remarkable photocurrent density of 6.59 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE) under AM 1.5G illumination, over approximately 5.5 times as high as that of pristine BiVO4. Systematic studies have demonstrated that the hopping activation energy of small polarons is significantly reduced due to the Mo doping, resulting in accelerated bulk charge transfer. More importantly, the deposition of Fe:VOPO4 promotes the interfacial charge transfer between Mo:BiVO4 and Fe:VOPO4 via the construction of V−O−V and P−O bonds, in addition to facilitating water splitting kinetics. This work provides a general strategy for optimizing charge transfer process, especially at the interface between photoanodes and cocatalysts.

Advancements in cadmium-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting: A short review

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, which directly converts sunlight into storable hydrogen fuel, has emerged as a promising technology in pursuing renewable energy. This process relies on semiconductor materials functioning as photoelectrodes to harness solar energy and drive water electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen. However, PEC systems’ efficiency and cost-effectiveness face formidable challenges, primarily centred around developing robust and efficient photoanodes. Cadmium-based catalysts, belonging to the II-VI n-type semiconductor family, exhibit exceptional properties conducive to PEC applications, such as tunable band gaps and superior light absorption capabilities. Yet, their practical utility has been hindered by issues related to photocorrosion and inadequate charge carrier separation. Recent breakthroughs in cadmium-based photoanodes have addressed these limitations through innovative strategies. In regards to this matter, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in cadmium-based photoanodes, shedding light on their innovative applications in PEC water splitting.

Effect of aging times of fibrous silica cadmium sulfide photoanodes for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

The use of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting to produce hydrogen from solar sources is an alluring potential address to the world’s energy and environmental problems. Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) is a potentially visible light response photoanode of PEC water splitting, but practical use remains a significant barrier due to its low charge carrier separation efficiency. To address this disadvantage, modifications to the morphology of CdS is necessary. Herein, fibrous silica cadmium sulfide (FSCdS) photoanode for PEC water splitting was synthesized using microemulsion method reported in this study. In this study, it will be focused on the effect of aging times which is 6 hours and 8 hours on the structure of FSCdS towards the PEC water splitting. The physicochemical and electrical properties of the photoanodes were investigated using XRD, UV-Vis DRS, FTIR and EIS Nyquist Plot. FSCdS-6H had a higher photocurrent density of 22.1 mA/cm2 at 1.23 VRHE and a higher solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 27.2% when compared to FSCdS-8H with 13.0 mA/cm2 and STH of 16.0%. This is due to the better crystallinity, higher Si-Cd-S interaction, and lower electron hole recombination rate of FSCdS-6H photoanode. Fabrication of fibrous silica-based photoanodes revealed significant insight for the creation of highperformance photoanodes for improved PEC water splitting performance.

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.

Enhanced Broadband Light Harvesting in Ultrathin Absorbers Enabled by Epitaxial Stabilization of Silver Thin Film Mirrors.

Silver thin film mirrors are attractive candidates for use as specular back reflectors to enhance broadband light absorption via strong optical interference in ultrathin film semiconductor photoabsorbers. However, deposition of metal-oxide absorbers often requires exposure to high temperature in an oxygen atmosphere, conditions that cause thermal etching and degrade the specular reflectance of silver films. Here, we overcome this challenge and demonstrate that epitaxial growth of silver mitigates thermal etching under the high-temperature oxygen-containing environments that cause polycrystalline films to degrade. The degree of thermal etching resistance is related to the epitaxial film structure, where high-quality films completely prevent thermal etching, allowing for direct deposition of metal-oxide thin film photoabsorbers at elevated temperatures without any degradation of the optical properties of the silver layer. As a proof of concept for device applications, a metal-oxide photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting is fabricated by directly growing epitaxial SnO2 and Ti-doped α-Fe2O3 (hematite) thin films onto stabilized silver reflectors by pulsed laser deposition. The photoanode displays enhanced broadband light absorption due to strong interference effects enabled by the highly reflective silver film and demonstrates stable operation in a photoelectrochemical cell under conditions of water photo-oxidation in alkaline electrolyte.

Improved photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of Sn-doped hematite photoanode with an amorphous cobalt oxide layer

Hematite with a suitable band gap is a promising candidate as the photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting, but it suffers from low catalytic activity and severe electron-hole recombination. Herein, a novel two-step solvothermal synthetic strategy is developed to fabricate a uniform CoOx amorphous layer with a thickness of 5 nm on Sn-doped Fe2O3 nanowire photoanode. The CoOx surface layer increases the roughness of the photoanode significantly, and thus enlarges the electrochemical active area. Furthermore, the CoOx layer brings Co2+/Co3+ redox couples, enhances the concentration of oxygen vacancies and increases the charge carrier density. The bulk and surface charge separation efficiencies are both improved. The surface charge transfer process and the oxygen evolution reaction are accelerated. The photocurrent density of the Sn–Fe2O3 photoanode at 1.23 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) is improved from 0.83 to 1.40 mA cm−2 after the deposition of the CoOx surface layer.

Successive performance enhancement on a Ge-Ti codoped α-Fe2O3 with AlOOH modification photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

The poor charge separation efficiency is the main limiting factor of the α-Fe2O3 photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting. In this study, we have discovered that the incorporation of Ge-Ti codoping and AlOOH modification strategies can greatly enhance the charge separation efficiency of the α-Fe2O3 photoanode. By introducing the Ti element, which possesses high conductivity, and further enhancing the charge transfer through Ge doping, we have achieved a synergistic inhibition of charge recombination in the Ge-Ti codoped α-Fe2O3. Additionally, the introduction of AlOOH through modification has led to an increase in the interface band bending, thereby enhancing charge separation by elevating the Fermi band level. Furthermore, through the secondary growth (shorted as SG) of undoped α-Fe2O3 and the incorporation of a NiFeOx cocatalyst, we have successfully adjusted the surface states and reduced the onset potential. Through the collaborative efforts of Ge-Ti codoping, SG, AlOOH modification, and NiFeOx catalysis, we have sequentially optimized the performance of the α-Fe2O3-based photoanode, resulting in an impressive photocurrent density of 3.46 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, as well as a low onset potential of 0.65 VRHE.

MoS2 modified NiFe LDH hierarchical structure as efficient photoanode towards photoelectrochemical water splitting

Designing effective photo electrode for photo-electrochemical (PEC) water splitting is highly demanded yet challengeable because of the limited sunlight utilization and retarded redox reaction kinetics. This work introduces a feasible one-pot hydrothermal strategy of fabricating MoS2/NiFe LDH p-n heterojunctions on conductive porous nickel foam as an efficient photoanode for PEC water splitting. A great enhancement for PEC water oxidation is achieved because of the improved sunlight absorption and the increased photo-excited charge separation. The optimal 10% MoS2/Ni0.9Fe0.1 LDH/nickel foam photoanode demonstrates 3.8 times enhanced PEC activity than the Ni0.9Fe0.1 LDH/NF counterpart and a low Tafel plot of 54 mV dec−1. The bandgap modulation and the Z-scheme charge transfer dynamics due to the formation of MoS2/NiFe LDH p-n heterostructure, along with the high conductivity of porous nickel foam account for the increased photo-current conversion efficiency and the boosted charge transfer.

Advances in MXene-based photoanodes for water-splitting

MXene, composed of two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides, has excellent potential as photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water-splitting applications. Its exceptional physical and chemical properties, including high electrical conductivity, wide bandgap, and high surface area, make it a promising material for photoelectrochemical applications. In this regard, a comprehensive review of recent studies on fabrication strategies for MXene-based photoanodes and their performance in photoelectrochemical water-splitting is necessary. Thus, this review paper provides a comprehensive overview of MXene-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water-splitting, focusing on the fundamental properties of MXenes, including their structure, physical and chemical features, as well as synthesis strategies. The review also discusses recent progress in MXene-based photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water-splitting, highlighting their superior performance. Remarkably, coupling MXenes with other semiconductors such as titanium dioxide, bismuth vanadate, zinc oxide, ferric oxide, cadmium sulfide, and InGaN nanorods led to enhancement in light absorption efficiency, photocurrent density up to 7.27 x10-3 A cm−2, charge transfer and separation efficiency, and stability. Finally, the paper discusses future perspectives and potential applications of MXene-based photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water-splitting. This review provides valuable insights into the current state of knowledge and offers an outline for future research in this area.

Fabrication and research of bi-functional CuNi2S4 nanosheets decorated TiO2/CuNi2S4 heterojunction photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

As a traditional n-type semiconductor, TiO2 has good UV absorption ability and stable physical and chemical properties. However, its wide band gap and low oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity limit its application in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, a type-II TiO2/CuNi2S4 heterojunction photoanode is successfully constructed, which expanded the light absorption range to visible and enhanced the OER activity. Firstly, TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) thin films are prepared on Ti substrates by two-step anodization, and then the bi-functional electrocatalytic material CuNi2S4 is grown on TiO2 NTs in the shape of nanosheets (NSs) in situ by solvothermal method. As a bi-functional electrocatalytic material, CuNi2S4 has good visible light absorption property as well as OER catalytic activity. Compared with TiO2, the IPCE value of TiO2/CuNi2S4 is 2.59% at 635 nm, and that of TiO2 is a mere 0.002%. The separation efficiency and injection efficiency increase from 2.49% and 31.52% to 3.61% and 87.77%, respectively. At 1.23 V vs. RHE, the maximum photocurrent density is 0.26 mA/cm2, which is 2.6 times than that of TiO2 (0.11 mA/cm2), and can be maintained at 0.25 mA/cm2 for at least 2 h under light illumination. Moreover, a hydrogen production rate of 4.21 μmol⋅cm−2⋅h−1 is achieved within 2 h. This work provides a new idea for the application of TiO2 in the field of PEC water splitting and the construction of efficient and stable photoelectronic devices.

Modelling TiO2 photoanodes for PEC water splitting: Decoupling the influence of intrinsic material properties and film thickness

Semiconductor metal oxides are intensively studied in electrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. On a series of nanoparticulate TiO2 photoanodes, we analyze specific fabrication variables by means of data fitting. First, the experimental outcome is gathered using PEC characterization techniques, mostly cyclic voltammetry and transient photocurrent measurements. Subsequently, we apply models to gain insights into the involved charge trapping and transfer phenomena. We find that capacitance coefficients and the switch-on transient kinetics depend on the TiO2 layer thickness, respectively indicating surface mechanisms and stationary regimes that are mediated by light accessibility. On the contrary, exponential factors of capacitance are independent of thickness, but reflect changes in the density of electron states with different sintering atmospheres. Also, the transfer resistance in the electrolyte side is indirectly influenced by sintering. Through meticulous quantitative analysis of trends, we stablish simple mathematical relationships that connect thickness-dependent parameters. This knowledge delves into fundamental mechanisms governing the TiO2 photoelectrode behaviour, and aims to facilitate further improvements in the efficiency of materials and electrodes for green hydrogen production.

A Synergic Effect of Bi-metallic Layered Hydro-Oxide Cocatalyst on 1-D TiO2 Driven Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

ABSTRACT Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is one of the most sustainable approaches for converting solar energy into hydrogen fuel. Affordable and robust photoelectrodes are crucial for the commercialization of PEC technologies. Recently, transition metal-based co-catalysts, especially Ni- and Fe-based catalysts, have attracted much interest owing to their exceptional OER characteristics. Given this, we here proposed the decoration of a Fe-Ni-based cocatalyst on the surface of the TiO2 photoanode for PEC water splitting. The TiO2 photoanode was hydrothermally synthesized and then decorated by Fe-Ni hydroxide catalyst using photo-assisted electrodeposition. The optimized TiO2/FeNiOOH photoanode exhibited the maximum photocurrent density value of 1.36 mA cm−2, which is almost twice the value obtained for bare TiO2, at 1.23 V vs RHE under the AM 1.5 G illumination. Due to the enhanced light absorption in the UV region, the optimized photoanode exhibited remarkable IPCE and photoconversion efficiency of 87.8% and 0.93%, respectively. Furthermore, excellent faradaic efficiencies of ∼90% for H2 and ∼70% for O2 generations were obtained. Predominantly, the enhancement in the photocurrent potentials was explained in detail. Our study shows the roles and benefits of using bimetallic catalysts with TiO2 photoanodes for sustainable water-splitting applications.

Nanostructured AlFeO3 thin films as a novel photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Nanostructured AlFeO3 thin films as a novel photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Rugged Forest Morphology of Magnetoplasmonic Nanorods that Collect Maximum Light for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

A feasible nanoscale framework of heterogeneous plasmonic materials and proper surface engineering can enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting performance owing to increased light absorbance, efficient bulk carrier transport, and interfacial charge transfer. This article introduces a new magnetoplasmonic (MagPlas) Ni-doped Au@Fex Oy nanorods (NRs) based material as a novel photoanode for PEC water-splitting. A two stage procedure produces core-shell Ni/Au@Fex Oy MagPlas NRs. The first-step is a one-pot solvothermal synthesis of Au@Fex Oy . The hollow Fex Oy nanotubes (NTs) are a hybrid of Fe2 O3 and Fe3 O4 , and the second-step is a sequential hydrothermal treatment for Ni doping. Then, a transverse magnetic field-induced assembly is adopted to decorate Ni/Au@Fex Oy on FTO glass to be an artificially roughened morphologic surface called a rugged forest, allowing more light absorption and active electrochemical sites. Then, to characterize its optical and surface properties, COMSOL Multiphysics simulations are carried out. The core-shell Ni/Au@Fex Oy MagPlas NRs increase photoanode interface charge transfer to 2.73 mAcm-2 at 1.23V RHE. This improvement is made possible by the rugged morphology of the NRs, which provide more active sites and oxygen vacancies as the hole transfer medium. The recent finding may provide light on plasmonic photocatalytic hybrids and surface morphology for effective PEC photoanodes.

WO3@Fe2O3 Core-Shell Heterojunction Photoanodes for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production from water splitting is a green technology to convert solar energy into renewable hydrogen fuel. The construction of host/guest architecture in semiconductor photoanodes has been proven to be an effective strategy to improve solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency. In this study, WO3@Fe2O3 core-shell nanoarray heterojunction photoanodes are synthesized from the in-situ decomposition of WO3@Prussian blue (WO3@PB) and then used as host/guest photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting, during which Fe2O3 serves as guest material to absorb visible solar light and WO3 can act as host scaffolds to collect electrons at the contact. The prepared WO3@Fe2O3 shows the enhanced photocurrent density of 1.26 mA cm−2 (under visible light) at 1.23 V. vs RHE and a superior IPEC of 24.4% at 350 nm, which is higher than that of WO3@PB and pure WO3 (0.43 mA/cm−2 and 16.3%, 0.18 mA/cm−2 and 11.5%) respectively, owing to the efficient light-harvesting from Fe2O3 and the enhanced electron-hole pairs separation from the formation of type-II heterojunctions, and the direct and ordered charge transport channels from the one-dimensional (1D) WO3 nanoarray nanostructures. Therefore, this work provides an alternative insight into the construction of sustainable and cost-effective photoanodes to enhance the efficiency of the solar-driven water splitting.

Construction of CdS/Ti-Nb-O composite photoanode with favorable optical absorption and charge transfer for dramatically boosted photoelectrochemical water splitting

Rational design and construction of highly effective Ti-based photoanodes with advantageous structures are crucial to enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, we reported a CdS/Ti-Nb-O composite photoanode with satisfactory charge transfer and optical absorption for dramatically boosted PEC performance, which was constructed by bulk-phase Nb-doping synergistically with CdS quantum dots (QDs) sensitization of Ti-based oxide nanostructures. The composite system exhibited a remarkable photocurrent density of 16.11 mA cm-2, which was 34 times higher than pure TiO2 (0.47 mA cm-2). The electron lifetime was substantially increased and the solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency could be as high as 9.45%. Bulk-phase Nb-doping improved the conductivity of Ti-Nb-O, which enabled speedy and sustained charge separation in the composite-electrolyte solid-liquid interface. Meanwhile, CdS sensitization extended light absorption from 410 nm to 640 nm, thereby generating more photogenerated carriers. Simultaneously, Nb-doping negatively shifted the valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) of Ti-Nb-O, which made the energy band more compatible with CdS. And the well-matched energy band structures of CdS and Ti-Nb-O not only improved separation-transfer properties of photogenerated electrons and holes but also increased overall optical absorption property of the composite system. This work involved dual-regulation charge separation strategy through bulk-phase doping synergetically with QDs sensitization may contribute to constructing high-efficient Ti-based photoanodes for PEC water splitting.

Synthesis and photoelectrochemical performance of Co doped SrTiO3 nanostructures photoanode

AbstractIt is pertinent to realize that scientific research indicates that the most promising method for producing H2 is photo electrochemical water splitting through a photo anode. Cobalt‐doped SrTiO3 (Co‐SrTiO3) composite nanostructures were created in this study via hydrothermal synthesis. The impact of cobalt concentration change on Co‐SrTiO3 has been identified using morphological, structural, and photo electrochemical research. Surface morphology of pure SrTiO3 nanoparticles using SEM and TEM reveals that the particles are intermittently agglomerated. The inclusion of Cobalt lowered the particle size of the nanostructures to 23 nm than pure SrTiO3 (41 nm). In addition, the peak profile has been influenced by cubic phase also identified from the x‐ray diffraction analysis. The purity and composition of the materials were revealed by XPS analysis. The Co‐SrTiO3 composite's produced the best charge transfer and recombination capabilities at 3% Co doping, according to electrochemical chemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy. At 0.2 V applied potential, the obtained 3% Co‐doped SrTiO3 photoanode system displays a photocurrent density of around 3.45 mA/cm2. The outcomes show that a promising application for the Co‐doped SrTiO3 photoanode in photoelectrochemical water splitting.