Effects of platinum photodeposition time on the photoelectrochemical properties of Fe2O3 nanotube electrodes

A photo-assisted deposition method for the deposition of platinum nanoparticles on Fe2O3 nanotubes (Pt/Fe2O3), prepared by anodizing, has been developed. The chemicophysical properties and elemental composition of the synthetic Pt/Fe2O3 samples have also been determined. The investigation of the photoelectrochemical properties of the prepared Pt/Fe2O3 samples showed their greatly increased photocurrent density for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting compared to bare Fe2O3. Therefore, the deposition of Pt is effective on the enhancement of the PEC response. In addition, the effect of the Pt photodeposition time on water splitting capability was studied. The current density produced by sample HPt3 was 220 mu A/cm(2) at +0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is 2 times higher than that of the bare Fe2O3 nanotube samples (105 mu A/cm(2), at +0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl). (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.