Nano-hetero-structured thin films, ZnO/Ag-(α)Fe2O3, with n/n junction, as efficient photoanode for renewable hydrogen generation via photoelectrochemical water splitting

Gurpreet Kaur, Divya,, Saif A. Khan, Vibha R. Satsangi, Sahab Dass and Rohit Shrivastav

Renewable Energy, 2021, vol. 164, issue C, 156-170

Abstract: Significant gains in PEC water splitting photocurrent were recorded using n/n junction bi-layered nano-hetero-structured (BNHS) thin films, ZnO/Ag-(α)Fe2O3, as photoanode. Films, synthesized over ITO (In:SnO2) glass plates, were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. PEC cell, fabricated through electrical contacting of BNHS films (3% Ag incorporation)/electrolyte (0.1 M NaOH, pH 13, temperature 32 ± 3.6 °C) junction working electrode with platinum counter electrode and saturated calomel reference electrode, yielded nearly 2 and 20 fold increment in photocurrent, against monolayered pristine ZnO and (α)Fe2O3 thin films, respectively. Marked gain in PEC cell-response towards water splitting was attributed to high active surface area and n/n hetero-junction that favored the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.

Keywords: ZnO/Ag-(α)Fe2O3; Nano-hetero-structure; Bi-layered thin films; Hydrogen; Photoelectrochemical water splitting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:164:y:2021:i:c:p:156-170

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.09.060

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