Mahadik MA, Subramanian A, Chung HS, Cho M, Jang JS. CdS/Zr:Fe
2 O
3 Nanorod Arrays with Al
2 O
3 Passivation Layer for Photoelectrochemical Solar Hydrogen Generation.
CHEMSUSCHEM 2017;
10:2030-2039. [PMID:
28317268 DOI:
10.1002/cssc.201700140]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
CdS-sensitized 1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 nanorod arrays were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by a two-step hydrothermal method. The photoelectrochemical results demonstrate that the current density (4.2 mA cm-2 at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl) recorded under illumination for the CdS/1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 photoanodes is 2.8 time higher than the bare 1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 . The extended absorbance spectrum, the reduced recombination, and the effective transport of photogenerated holes in CdS to the electrolyte facilitate enhancement in the photoelectrochemical performance. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and TEM observations of the bare and aluminum oxide-treated CdS/1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 photoanodes, we could confirm that the 1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 nanorods were covered by the CdS layer and Al2 O3 layer present on surface of CdS. Furthermore, the photocurrent and stability of the CdS/1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 nanorods was significantly enhanced by Al2 O3 compared to bare CdS/1 D Zr:Fe2 O3 heterojunction owing to its ability to act as an effective holetransport- as well as photocorrosion-protecting layer. These remarkable enhancements in light-energy harvesting, improvement in charge transport, and stability directly suggest the usefulness of photoanodes for solar hydrogen generation.
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