Effect of oxygen evolution catalysts on hematite nanorods for solar water oxidation

Photochemical deposition of Co and Ni based oxygen evolution catalysts on hematite nanorods cathodically shifted the onset potential of photocurrent near to the flat band potential of hematite. A 9.5 fold enhancement in the photocurrent density at 0.86 V vs. RHE compared to the parent hematite photoanode was observed with the Ni-Bi/Fe(2)O(3) photoanode.     

Magnetite colloidal nanocrystals: a facile pathway to prepare mesoporous hematite thin films for photoelectrochemical water splitting

In this study, we demonstrate an alternative and promising way to produce hematite photoanodes with high performance and without the addition of doping or catalytic coating. In this approach, we processed hematite thin films using a colloidal dispersion of magnetite nanocrystals as the precursor. The photoelectrochemical characterization shows that the colloidal approach used to process an undoped hematite photoanode produced a high-performance electrode for water photooxidation with an onset potential as low as 0.8 V(RHE). This value is comparable to the best results reported in the literature for a hematite photoanode modified with catalytic materials. We demonstrate that pure hematite thin films reach 1.1 mA·cm(-2) at 1.23 V(RHE) with back-side illumination.     

Unraveling the role of Ti_3C_2 MXene underlayer for enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation of hematite photoanodes

Hematite is regarded as a promising photoanode for photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting.However,the charge recombination occurred at the interface of FTO/hematite strictly limits the PEC performance of hematite.Herein,we reported a Ti3C2 MXene underlayer modified hematite(Ti-Fe2O3) photoanode via a simple drop-casting followed by hydrothermal and annealing processes.Owing to the bifunctional role of Ti3C2 MXene underlayer in improving the interfacial properties of FTO/hematite and providing Ti source for the construction of Fe2 TiO5/Fe2O3 heterostructure in hematite nanostructure,the bulk and interfacial charge transfer dynamics of hematite are significantly enhanced,and consequently enhancing the PEC performance.Compared with the pristine hematite,the as-prepared Ti-Fe2O3 photoanode shows an increased photocurrent density from 0.80 mA/cm² to 1.30 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs.RHE.Moreover,a further promoted PEC performance including a dramatically increased photocurrent density of 2.49 mA/cm² at1.23 V vs.RHE and an obviously lowered onset potential is achieved for the Ti-Fe2O3 sample after the subsequent surface F-treatment and the loading of FeNiOOH cocatalyst.Such results suggest that the introduction of Ti3C2 MXene underlayer is a facile but effective approach to improve the PEC water splitting activity of hematite.     

Facile synthesis of Z-scheme NiO/α-MoO3 p-n heterojunction for improved photocatalytic activity towards degradation of methylene blue

In this article, Z-scheme NiO/α-MoO₃ p-n heterojunction is successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route. The phase and nanostructures are researched through a series of characterizations, such as XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS and DRS. It is confirmed that the NiO nanoparticles are deposited homogeneously on one dimensional α-MoO₃ nanobelts and p-n heterojuction is constructed at the interface of α-MoO₃ and NiO. Photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized photocatalysts is investigated by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated solar light irradiation. Compared with bare α-MoO₃, the NiO/α-MoO₃ p-n heterojunction exhibits significantly improved photocatalytic activity and photostability for MB degradation. The improvement in the photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the optimization of the charge transport pathway offered by Z-scheme heterojunctions, which can promote the effective separation of electron-hole pairs. The results indicate that Z-scheme NiO/α-MoO₃ p-n heterojunction is a novel and efficient photocatalyst with potential application for the removal of organic contaminant in wastewater.     

Silicon-doped hematite nanosheets with superlattice structure

We report a universal strategy for doping hematite photoanode materials. Si-doped hematite nanosheets with a superlattice structure were first synthesised by hydrothermal treatment of a mixture of FeCl(3) agent and liquid phase laser ablation-derived-silicon colloids. The dopant site in Si-doped hematite was clarified at the atomic scale.     

Dendritic Hematite Nanoarray Photoanode Modified with a Conformal Titanium Dioxide Interlayer for Effective Charge Collection

This paper describes the introduction of a thin titanium dioxide interlayer that serves as passivation layer and dopant source for hematite (α‐Fe₂O₃) nanoarray photoanodes. This interlayer is demonstrated to boost the photocurrent by suppressing the substrate/hematite interfacial charge recombination, and to increase the electrical conductivity by enabling Ti⁴⁺ incorporation. The dendritic nanostructure of this photoanode with an increased solid–liquid junction area further improves the surface charge collection efficiency, generating a photocurrent of about 2.5 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE) under air mass 1.5G illumination. A photocurrent of approximately 3.1 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V vs. RHE could be achieved by addition of an iron oxide hydroxide cocatalyst.     

Direct imaging and probing of the p-n junction in a planar polymer light-emitting electrochemical cell

A vast array of semiconductor applications relies on the ability to dope the materials by the controlled introduction of impurities in order to achieve desired charge carrier concentration and conduction type. In this way, various functional metal/semiconductor or semiconductor/semiconductor junctions can be constructed for device applications. Conjugated polymers are organic semiconductors that can be electrochemically doped to form a dynamic p-n junction. The electronic structure and even the existence of such a polymer p-n junction had been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate. In this work, the formation of the world's largest frozen polymer p-n junction and its light-emission are visualized. With a pair of micromanipulated probes, we mapped the potential distribution of the p-n junction under bias across the entire interelectrode gap of over 10 mm. Site-selective current-voltage measurements reveal that the polymer junction is a graded p-n junction, with a much more conductive p region than n region.     

Self-motivated,thermally oxidized hematite nanoflake photoanodes:Effects of pre-polishing and ZrO2 passivation layer

High-temperature thermal oxidation of an Fe foil produces a high-quality,crystalline hematite nanoflake suitable as a photoanode for the photoelectrochemical(PEC)water oxidation.Physical pre-polishing of the foil surface has a profound effect in the formation of a vertically-aligned nanoflakes of hematite phase with extended(110)planes by removing the loosely-bonded oxide layer.When the surface of the photoanode is modified with a ZrO₂ passivation layer and a cobalt phosphate co-catalyst,the charge recombination at the photoanode-electrolyte interface is greatly suppressed to improve its overall PEC activity.As a result,the photocurrent density at 1.10 VRHE under 1 sun condition is enhanced from 0.22 mA cm^-2 for an unmodified photoanode to 0.59 mA cm^-2 for the fully modified photoanode,and the photocurrent onset potential is shifted cathodically by 400 mV.Moreover,the photoanode demonstrates outstanding stability by showing steady production of H₂ and O₂ gases in the stoichiometric ratio of 2:1 in a continuous PEC operation for 10 h.     

A High-Efficiency Hematite Photoanode with Enhanced Bonding Energy Around Fe Atoms

Hematite nanoarrays are important photoanode materials. However, they suffer from serious problems of charge transfer and surface states; in particular, the surface states hinder the increase in photocurrent. A previous strategy to suppress the surface state is the deposition of an Fe-free metal oxide overlayer. Herein, from the viewpoint of atomic bonding energy, it is found that the strength of bonding around Fe atoms in the hematite is the key to suppressing the surface states. By treating the surface of hematite with Se and NaBH₄, the Fe₂O₃ transforms to a double-layer nanostructure. In the outer layer, the Fe−O bonding is reinforced and the Fe−Se bonding is even stronger. Therefore, the surface states are inhibited and the increase in the photocurrent density becomes much faster. Besides, the treatment constructs a nanoscale p–n junction to promote the charge transfer. Improvements are achieved in onset potential (0.25 V shift) and in photocurrent density (5.8 times). This work pinpoints the key to suppressing the surface states and preparing a high-efficiency hematite nanoarray, and deepens our understanding of hematite photoanodes.     

Fabrication a thin nickel oxide layer on photoanodes for control of charge recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A thin NiO layer (∼164 nm in thickness) is fabricated on the surface of TiO2 photoanode by a simple hydrothermal method. The TiO2/NiO...     

Optimization of the Co–Pi/α-Fe2O3 Catalyst Synthesis Parameters Using the Taguchi Method for Water-Splitting Application

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - The use of hematite as a photoanode has been limited due to its optoelectronic properties and a large overpotential for photo-assisted water splitting. In this...     

基于镍基修饰的铁矿石载氧体煤化学链燃烧实验

使用1 kW_th串行流化床反应器,研究了以铁矿石为载氧体以及对铁矿石进行镍基修饰情况下煤化学链燃烧特性,对两种修饰方法(机械混合和浸渍)进行了对比评价。结果表明,铁矿石载氧体具有良好的反应性能和稳定性,是实现煤化学链燃烧的一种比较理想的载氧体。向矿石中机械添加少量NiO/Al₂O₃载氧体,能够有效改善其反应活性,提高系统CO₂捕集率;采用浸渍法修饰的铁矿石载氧体煅烧后,总体微观孔隙结构变差,导致煤气化产物与载氧体间的反应无法充分进行,系统CO₂捕集率显著下降。浸渍修饰的方法和过程需要进一步的研究和改善。     

热处理气氛对α-Fe2O3光阳极光电化学性能影响研究

分别在空气和氮气中对水热制备的薄膜进行热处理获得了纳米棒状α-Fe₂O₃光阳极。对样品分别进行了X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、紫外-可见吸收光谱和光电化学性能测试。与空气热处理获得的α-Fe₂O₃Air光阳极相比,氮气气氛热处理获得的α-Fe₂O₃光阳极正面光照电流密度显著提升达到0.42mA·cm^-2。正面光照下,α-Fe2O3N2光阳极的体内电荷分离效率ηbulk和表面电荷注入效率ηsurface都有较大增加,说明N2热处理明显增加了α-Fe₂O₃膜的载流子浓度,增强了体内载流子的传输和表面载流子注入效率。     

NiO-WO3纳米立方块的制备及在甲醛检测中的应用

采用一步水热合成法合成NiO-WO₃纳米立方块,以WO₃为主体,引入p型半导体NiO构建NiO-WO₃ p-n异质结。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线衍射仪(XRD)对相应的微观结构进行了分析表征,表明产物为单斜相WO₃,由尺寸大小均匀的纳米立方块组成,平均粒径100 nm左右,引入NiO后WO₃纳米立方块的形貌基本保持不变。 将NiO-WO₃纳米立方块制成气敏元件并测验了其对甲醛气体的敏感特性。 气敏测试结果表明,构建NiO-WO₃异质结可显著地提高WO₃传感器对甲醛气体的敏感特性。 特别是5％NiO-WO₃异质结纳米立方块结构传感器,其在200 ℃下对0.134 mg/L甲醛的灵敏度达到18.5,且具有快速响应-恢复特性、良好的稳定性及对甲醛的良好选择性。 传感器性能提升的原因主是界面处p-n异质结的形成和NiO的高催化活性。     

基于p型光电极的染料敏化太阳能电池研究进展

基于p型光电极的染料敏化太阳能电池是一种受到广泛关注的新型太阳能电池。根据电池的结构不同可以将其分为p型和p-n叠层型染料敏化太阳能电池。其中p-n型叠层染料敏化太阳能电池的理论光电效率可以达到43%,高于传统的基于n型TiO₂光阳极的染料敏化太阳能电池理论效率（30%）,引起了科学界的高度关注。本文将总结基于p型光电极染料敏化太阳能电池（p型和p-n型叠层器件）的研究成果,重点介绍用于p型和p-n型叠层染料敏化太阳能电池的电极材料,染料及电解质的研究进展;同时总结目前该类电池发展中亟需解决的问题以及进一步提高器件效率的途径。     

基于p型光电极的染料敏化太阳能电池研究进展

基于p型光电极的染料敏化太阳能电池是一种受到广泛关注的新型太阳能电池。根据电池的结构不同可以将其分为p型和p-n叠层型染料敏化太阳能电池。其中p-n型叠层染料敏化太阳能电池的理论光电效率可以达到43%,高于传统的基于n型TiO_2光阳极的染料敏化太阳能电池理论效率(30%),引起了科学界的高度关注。本文将总结基于p型光电极染料敏化太阳能电池(p型和p-n型叠层器件)的研究成果,重点介绍用于p型和p-n型叠层染料敏化太阳能电池的电极材料,染料及电解质的研究进展;同时总结目前该类电池发展中亟需解决的问题以及进一步提高器件效率的途径。     

Chelation-mediated in-situ formation of ultrathin cobalt (oxy) hydroxides on hematite photoanode towards enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation

In this work,a facile chelation-mediated route was developed to fabricate ultrathin cobalt(oxy)hydroxides(CoOOH)nanosheets on hematite photoanode(Fe₂O₃).The route contains two steps of the adsorption of[Co-EDTA]^2-species on Fe₂O₃ nanorod array followed by the hydrolysis in alkaline solution.The resulting CoOOH/Fe₂O₃ exhibits a remarkably improved photocurrent density of 2.10 mA cm^-2 at 1.23 V vs.RHE,which is ca.2.8 times that of bare Fe₂O₃.In addition,a negative shift of onset potential ca.200 mV is achieved.The structural characterizations reveal the chelate EDTA plays important roles that enhance the adsorption of Co species and the formation of contact between CoOOH and Fe₂O₃.(Photo)electrochemical analysis suggests,besides providing active sites for water oxidation,CoOOH at large extent promotes the charge separation and the charge transfer via passivating surface states and suppressing charge recombination.It also found CoOOH possesses some oxygen vacancies,which could act as trapping centers for photogenerated holes and facilitate the charge separation.Intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy(IMPS)shows that,under low applied potential the water oxidation mainly occurs on CoOOH,while under high applied potential the water oxidation could occur on both CoOOH and Fe₂O₃.The findings not only provide an efficient strategy for designing ultrathin(oxy)hydroxides on semiconductors for PEC applications but also put forward a new insight on the role of CoOOH during water oxidation.     

Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Sn‐Doped α‐Fe2O3 Photoanode with Different Reducer

Hematite has been considered as one of the most promising photoanode candidates for solar water‐splitting. However, its photoelectrochemical (PEC) efficiency is largely constrained by its sluggish oxygen evolution reaction. In this work, the photoelectrochemical performance of hematite was investigated in electrolytes containing different sacrificial agent. The photocurrent densities, onset potential, charge transfer resistance, Helmholtz capacitance at semiconductor liquid junctions (SCLJs), and their correlations were systematically studied. It was found that the onset potential is around the C_H peak potential and is related to the photovoltage. The surface states pinning the Fermi levels of the hematite photoanode are related to the adsorbed water molecules regardless of the sacrificial agents in the electrolyte.     

一种生态友好粉煤灰基地质聚合物的合成及光催化性能

以乌洛托品为孔形成剂,制备出孔结构可调控的粉煤灰基地质聚合物;通过半导体耦合设计,合成出In₂O₃和NiO双负载粉煤灰基地质聚合物催化剂;采用XRF、TGA/DSC、FESEM、XRD、FT-IR、UV-Vis等对催化剂的组成、结构及性能进行表征,考查了该催化剂体系对模拟印染废水的光催化降解活性、降解机理及反应动力学。结果表明：孔形成剂的掺入能够显著地改善地质聚合物的孔结构,调变BET比表面积及介孔体积;双负载5% In₂O₃及1% NiO的粉煤灰基地质聚合物催化剂对碱性品绿染料的最高降解率（95.65%）,归因于In₂O₃与NiO形成的p-n结半导体耦合体系以及In₂O₃与PAFAG载体之间产生强相互作用,改善了光生电子-空穴对的分离效率,从而提高了光催化染料降解活性。     

一种生态友好粉煤灰基地质聚合物的合成及光催化性能

以乌洛托品为孔形成剂,制备出孔结构可调控的粉煤灰基地质聚合物;通过半导体耦合设计,合成出In_2O_3和NiO双负载粉煤灰基地质聚合物催化剂;采用XRF、TGA/DSC、FESEM、XRD、FT-IR、UV-Vis等对催化剂的组成、结构及性能进行表征,考查了该催化剂体系对模拟印染废水的光催化降解活性、降解机理及反应动力学。结果表明:孔形成剂的掺入能够显著地改善地质聚合物的孔结构,调变BET比表面积及介孔体积;双负载5%In_2O_3及1%NiO的粉煤灰基地质聚合物催化剂对碱性品绿染料的最高降解率(95.65%),归因于In_2O_3与NiO形成的p-n结半导体耦合体系以及In_2O_3与PAFAG载体之间产生强相互作用,改善了光生电子-空穴对的分离效率,从而提高了光催化染料降解活性。