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Daminelli LM, Rodríguez-Gutierrez I, Pires FA, Dos Santos GT, Bettini J, Souza FL. Self-Diffusion versus Intentional Doping: Beneficial and Damaging Impact on Hematite Photoanode Interfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:55030-55042. [PMID: 37943615 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The comprehension of side effects caused by high-temperature thermal treatments in the design of (photo)electrodes is essential to achieve efficient and cost-effective devices for solar water splitting. This investigation explores the beneficial and damaging impacts of thermal treatments in the (photo)electrode design, unraveling the impact of self-diffusion and its consequences. The industrial-friendly polymeric precursor synthesis (PPS) method, which is known for its easy technological application, was chosen as the fabrication technique for hematite photoabsorbers. For substrate evaluation, two types of conductive glass substrates, aluminum borosilicate and quartz, both coated with fluorine-doped tin oxide (ABS/FTO and QTZ/FTO, respectively), were subjected to thermal treatments following the PPS protocol. Optical and structural analyses showed no significant alterations in substrate properties, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the migration of silicon and calcium ions from the glass component to the FTO surface. This diffusion can be further mitigated by an oxide buffer layer. To track the potential ion diffusion on the photoabsorber surface and assess its effect on the photoelectrode performance, hematite was selected as the model material and deposited onto the glass substrates. From all the ions that could possibly migrate, only Si4+ and Ca2+ originating from the glass component, as well as Sn4+ from the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), were detected on the surface of the hematite photoabsorber. Interestingly, the so-called "self-diffusion" of these ions did not result in any beneficial effect on the hematite photoelectrochemical response. Instead, intentional modifications showed more substantial impacts on the photoelectrochemical efficiency compared to unintentional self-diffusion. Therefore, "self-diffusion", which can unintentionally dope the hematite, is not sufficient to significantly impact the final photocurrent. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the true effect of thermal treatments on the photoelectrode properties to unlock their full potential in photoelectrochemical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Daminelli
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-100, Brazil
- Humanities and Nature Science Center (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo André, Sao PauloCEP 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Rodríguez-Gutierrez
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Fabio A Pires
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-100, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), PO Box 6154, Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Gabriel T Dos Santos
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-100, Brazil
- Engineering School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90010-150, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Bettini
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-100, Brazil
| | - Flavio L Souza
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-100, Brazil
- Humanities and Nature Science Center (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo André, Sao PauloCEP 09210-580, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), PO Box 6154, Campinas, Sao PauloCEP 13083-970, Brazil
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Bondarchuk AN, Marken F. Hematite photoanodes for water splitting from directed assembly of Prussian blue onto CuO-Sb 2O 5-SnO 2 ceramics. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:25681-25688. [PMID: 37721362 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03169a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
We report the controlled layer-by-layer growth by the directed assembly of Prussian blue to form (via thermolysis) a functional hematite coating on the grain surfaces of porous CuO-Sb2O5-SnO2 ceramics. The impact of the hematite coating on the physicochemical properties of the ceramics is demonstrated through Raman spectroscopy, and photoelectric and electrochemical impedance measurements. The directed assembly of ionic layers described here is a promising approach for introducing thin film deposits into porous structures and modifying/tuning the photoelectrochemical properties of SnO2-based ceramic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Bondarchuk
- Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca, Huajuapan 69000, Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Frank Marken
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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Advances in Engineered Metal Oxide Thin Films by Low-Cost, Solution-Based Techniques for Green Hydrogen Production. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12121957. [PMID: 35745297 PMCID: PMC9229379 DOI: 10.3390/nano12121957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Functional oxide materials have become crucial in the continuous development of various fields, including those for energy applications. In this aspect, the synthesis of nanomaterials for low-cost green hydrogen production represents a huge challenge that needs to be overcome to move toward the next generation of efficient systems and devices. This perspective presents a critical assessment of hydrothermal and polymeric precursor methods as potential approaches to designing photoelectrodes for future industrial implementation. The main conditions that can affect the photoanode's physical and chemical characteristics, such as morphology, particle size, defects chemistry, dimensionality, and crystal orientation, and how they influence the photoelectrochemical performance are highlighted in this report. Strategies to tune and engineer photoelectrode and an outlook for developing efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion using an inexpensive and stable material will also be addressed.
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