Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiu-Shuang Xing, Mengru Bao, Pengchen Wang, Xiaolu Wang, Yatong Wang, Jimin Du
Summary: By using a bimetallic Mn/CoOx film as a cocatalyst prepared through high-temperature annealing of metal-organic frameworks, the structure of the alpha-Fe2O3 photoanode was optimized to enhance photocurrent density and catalytic activity for PEC water oxidation. This work provides valuable insights for the design of bimetallic cocatalysts on various photoelectrodes to achieve outstanding performance in PEC water splitting.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kailong Liu, Long Zhang, Qi Jiang, Mengyan Huang, Peng Liu, Shiyu Zuo, Peiyan Ma, Zhengyi Fu
Summary: Transition metal-based cocatalysts are crucial for boosting the surface kinetics of hematite photoanode. However, their effectiveness is limited by the shallow reconstruction process that generates highly efficient metal oxyhydroxides during the oxygen evolution reaction. To overcome this limitation, a Brnsted base-regulated strategy is developed to promote in situ surface reconstruction of cocatalysts on Ti-doped hematite under photoelectrochemical conditions. The resulting CoWO4 cocatalyst-decorated Ti-doped hematite photoanode exhibits significantly enhanced photocurrent density compared to activated Ti-doped hematite and CoOx/Ti-doped hematite. Tungstate promotes the surface reconstruction of cobalt-based cocatalyst, resulting in improved charge separation and transfer efficiency and enhanced performance of the Ti-doped hematite photoanode.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zi-Han Zhang, Tao Yang, Ze-Yuan Wang, Hai-Chao Wang, Xin-Zheng Yue, Sha-Sha Yi
Summary: By coating boron doped graphite carbon nitride nanolayers and modifying with a cocatalyst, the photoelectrochemical performance of hematite-based photoanodes can be significantly improved, leading to higher photocurrent density and more negative onset potential.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongxing Li, Meisong Yin, Xianglin Li, Rong Mo
Summary: Efficient charge transfer and excellent surface water oxidation kinetics are crucial for determining the performance of photoelectrodes in PEC water splitting. In this study, a bilayer TiO2/alpha-Fe2O3 nanorod arrays photoanode was prepared with Cu-doped NiOx HTL and Co-Pi OER cocatalyst, achieving a significantly enhanced photocurrent density.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Zhang, Li Ting Gan, Mengmin Wang, Wenxin Ning, Peng Fei Liu, Hua Gui Yang
Summary: By hydrothermal reaction, a carbon nanolayer conformally coated Fe2O3 (C-Fe2O3) as oxygen evolution catalyst (OEC) is loaded on the H-2 plasma treated nanoporous BiVO4 (BVO(H-2)) surface to simultaneously improve the hole extraction ability of the BiVO4 photoanode and accelerate the surface reaction kinetics. It is found that the H-2 plasma induced vacancies in BVO remarkably increases the conductivity, and the C-Fe2O3 enables efficient hole extraction and injection. As a result, the C-Fe2O3/BVO(H-2) photoanode exhibits significantly enhanced photocurrent density and ABPE value compared to the BVO photoanode.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoxin Lv, Shan Shao, Ying Xiao, Jiujun Deng
Summary: In this study, a Ti3C2 MXene derived TiO2 nanosheets/hematite photoanode with interconnected structures was fabricated via a facile method. Compared to the pristine Fe2O3 film, the Fe2O3/TiO2 photoanode showed increased photocurrent density and improved performance after loading FeNiOOH cocatalyst. These improvements were attributed to facilitated charge separation and transport, accelerated OER kinetics, and the formation of interconnected structures.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shan Shao, Jiujun Deng, Xiaoxin Lv, Haiyan Ji, Ying Xiao, Xingwang Zhu, Kun Feng, Hui Xu, Jun Zhong
Summary: A heterostructure photoanode integrating black phosphorus nanoflakes and hematite was successfully fabricated, with functional phosphate formed by the partial oxidation of black phosphorus improving the interfacial charge transfer and enhancing water oxidation performance. The well-matched band structures of black phosphorus and hematite, along with the highly-efficient oxygen evolution reaction activity of black phosphorus, significantly facilitate charge separation and transfer for enhanced water oxidation performance.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiujun Deng, Yaxi Li, Ying Xiao, Kun Feng, Cheng Lu, Kaiqi Nie, Xiaoxin Lv, Hui Xu, Jun Zhong
Summary: The study demonstrates the synthesis of an inorganic/organic composite photoanode by depositing HEDP onto the surface of an Fe2O3/Fe2TiO5 heterostructure. The HEDP overlayer promotes surface charge dynamics and enhances photoelectrochemical performance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fangli Wu, Yu Chang, Wei Zhai, Jianyuan Wang
Summary: The photoelectrochemical performance of Fe2O3 photoanode is significantly improved by using a SnO2 passivation layer, leading to a 28-fold increase in photocurrent density.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juliette Chancellevie Nalouzebi Fouemina, Guoqing Li, Xiaojie She, Duan Yan, Xiaoxin Lv, Kaiqi Nie, Jiujun Deng, Hui Xu
Summary: A FeTi-LDH overlayer decorated Fe2O3/Fe2TiO5 photoanode is successfully fabricated via a surface self-transformation induced by the co-treatment of hydrazine and NaOH at room temperature. The favorable structure of the photoanode facilitates charge transfer/separation at the electrode/electrolyte interface and accelerates surface water oxidation kinetics. This innovative design leads to a remarkably increased photocurrent density and a cathodic shift in the onset potential, showing great potential for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guosheng Li, Zhuofeng Hu
Summary: Coupling graphene with hematite through a low temperature synthesis method using glucose as precursor in aqueous solution has been developed. The metallic region formed at the interface promotes charge transfer, leading to a significant enhancement in activity. This approach provides a simple, mild, and cost-effective way to fabricate carbon-based two-dimensional materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guoqing Li, Wei Zhang, Kaiqi Nie, Xiaoxin Lv, Jiujun Deng, Hongbing Ji
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of a hematite photoanode with an oxidized carbon overlayer using the flash Joule heating technique. The as-resulted photoanode exhibits enhanced photocurrent density due to its higher surface charge transfer and improved adsorption strength of water oxidation intermediates. Additionally, the oxidized carbon overlayer facilitates P-doping and promotes bulk charge behaviors in the hematite nanostructure.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Huan Chai, Peng Wang, Tong Wang, Lili Gao, Feng Li, Jun Jin
Summary: The performance of a hematite photoanode in PEC water oxidation can be significantly improved by fluorine doping and an ultrathin amorphous cobalt silicate cocatalyst, which reduce interfacial transfer resistance and accelerate oxygen evolution reaction kinetics. This comprehensive method demonstrates a feasible strategy for enhancing the charge separation and overall efficiency of the photoelectrochemical system.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruifeng Chong, Zhenzhen Wang, Jiaqi Lv, Jiayue Rong, Ling Zhang, Yushuai Jia, Li Wang, Zhixian Chang, Xiang Wang
Summary: The roles of graphene oxide and cobalt (oxy)hydroxide in the study contribute to enhancing the photoelectrochemical performance of Fe2O3. The rational design and facile fabrication strategy show great potential for high efficiency in other PEC systems.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jifang Zhang, Qiyuan Lin, Zhenlei Wang, Haowen Liu, Xuanzhang Li, Yuegang Zhang
Summary: The study proposes that water oxidation on hematite can proceed via mixed reaction paths, contrary to the traditional assumption of a single reaction path. By isolating absorption signals of surface states responsible for water oxidation, the research highlights the significant contribution of direct hole transfer, especially for highly doped hematite. This finding challenges existing experimental techniques that rely on oversimplified models and theories.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Karen C. Bedin, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Lizandra R. P. Peregrino, Lionel Vayssieres, Flavio L. Souza
Summary: Photoelectrodes nanoscale interface design plays a key role in enhancing the photoelectrochemical performance for water splitting. In this work, hematite photoanodes were prepared with improved charge separation and collection at various interfaces, resulting in a significant efficiency increase.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Beatriz Mourino, Andre L. M. Freitas, Carlos A. R. Costa, Elcio L. Pires, Renato Goncalves, Lionel Vayssieres, Flavio L. Souza
Summary: This study investigates the effects of thermal treatment conditions on the design and efficiency of photoelectrodes fabricated on common commercial transparent conductive glass substrates. The results show that fast thermal treatment at high temperatures can improve the performance of the photoelectrodes, with a synergy between charge transfer resistance, nanorod dimensions, reduced recombination, improved charge separation, and minimized substrate damage.
ECS JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Karen Cristina Bedin, Beatriz Mourino, Joao Batista Souza Junior, Flavio Leandro Souza
Summary: This article provides a critical assessment of hydrothermal and polymeric precursor methods for designing photoelectrodes for future industrial implementation. The main conditions and strategies that can affect the photoelectrochemical performance are highlighted.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Higor A. Centurion, Lucas G. Rabelo, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Mateus M. Ferrer, Jefferson Bettini, Heberton Wender, Liane M. Rossi, Flavio L. Souza, Renato Goncalves
Summary: In this work, Mo-doped SrTiO3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and modified with nickel-based nanoparticles to form a p-n heterojunction. The obtained structure exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production under simulated solar light. The formation of the heterojunction resulted in the establishment of an internal electric field, suppressing electron-hole recombination under illumination.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Higor A. Centurion, Mauricio A. Melo, Lucas G. Rabelo, Gustavo A. S. Alves, Washington Santa Rosa, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Flavio L. Souza, Renato V. Goncalves
Summary: Renewable energy from sources like solar and wind is crucial for achieving a sustainable and CO2-free society in a short time. Green hydrogen is considered the most viable fuel for the next generation of fuel-cell electric vehicles and associated technologies. Solar water splitting, using visible-light-active photocatalysts like iron titanate (Fe2TiO5), shows promise for green hydrogen production, offering potential cost reductions in electrolysis-based H2 production. This review provides an overview of recent advances in using Fe2TiO5 as a semiconductor material for solar water splitting applications, including single photocatalytic systems and heterostructures such as Fe2TiO5/TiO2, Fe2TiO5/BiVO4, and Fe2TiO5/Fe2O3. Strategies for developing effective Fe2TiO5-based water-oxidation materials are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mauricio A. Melo, Igor M. Brito, Joao V. S. B. Mello, Pamela S. M. Rocha, Isabela A. A. Bessa, Braulio S. Archanjo, Fabio S. Miranda, Ricardo J. Cassella, Celia M. Ronconi
Summary: Producing solar fuels through semiconductor-based photocatalytic water splitting is a promising solution for global adoption of renewable energy sources. This study introduces a simple method for preparing nanostructured hematite and niobium-doped hematite nanoparticles, which can be assembled into thin films for use as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells. The optimization of film composition and thickness significantly improves the photocurrent and enhances the efficiency of water splitting, making these materials more economically competitive.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ariany Bonadio, Fernando P. Sabino, Andre L. M. Freitas, Marissol R. Felez, Gustavo M. Dalpian, Jose A. Souza
Summary: The stability and maintenance of the crystal structure are the main concerns in using organic-inorganic perovskites in photovoltaic devices. This study explores the tetragonal and cubic phases of MAPbI3 at room temperature, revealing the importance of organic cations in the structural phase transition. The perovskite cubic phase exhibits higher electrical resistivity, faster charge carrier lifetime, and greater light absorption in the green region compared to the tetragonal phase.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gustavo M. Morishita, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Ricardo H. R. Castro, Flavio L. Souza
Summary: The work demonstrates that the combination of Hafnium surface doping and the incorporation of a ZrO2 underlayer on FTO leads to a three-fold increase in the photoelectrochemical efficiency of hematite nanorods. The ZrO2 layer reduces electron loss, while Hafnium surface doping increases the active surface area by reducing the nanorod diameter. Linear sweep voltammetry measurements show a photocurrent density of 2.07 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V in a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), highlighting the significant role of the photoanode design in improving solar power hydrogen production.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Andre Luiz Martins Freitas, Aryane Tofanello, Fernando Pereira Sabino, Marissol Rodrigues Felez, Eliane Aparecida Morais, Sergio Brochsztain, Jose Javier Saez Acuna, Gustavo Martini Dalpian, Jose Antonio Souza
Summary: This study systematically investigates the synthesis of nanostructures and the significant impact of finite-size effects on electronic structure. The research focuses on the size effects on the UV-light emitting properties of all-inorganic Cs3Cu2I5 halide. The results show that bulk particles emit bright blue light, while small quantum dots exhibit UV emission with reduced efficiency.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kelly T. C. Thomaz, Karen C. Bedin, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Nathalia C. Verissimo, Jefferson Bettini, Flavio L. Souza
Summary: Efficient and scalable designs of photoelectrochemical water splitting electrodes are a challenge. This study focuses on hafnium-modified hematite photoanodes, which show improved efficiency and performance compared to pure hematite. The research demonstrates the role of hafnium in reducing grain size and improving charge separation, leading to enhanced water splitting efficiency. This approach holds promise for the development of innovative photoelectrochemical water splitting technologies.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Andre L. M. Freitas, Jose A. Souza
Summary: We demonstrate the formation of microwires and 2D layered morphologies from 3D MAPbBr(3) microcubes through a dissociation-recrystallization process assisted by water. The study reveals that controlling water and organic molecules in the precursor solution can change the optical properties and exciton dynamics, as well as influence trap- and excito-assisted recombination life-times.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lara M. Daminelli, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Fabio A. Pires, Gabriel T. dos Santos, Jefferson Bettini, Flavio L. Souza
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of high-temperature thermal treatments on the design of (photo)-electrodes, revealing that self-diffusion does not significantly affect the final photocurrent. Instead, intentional modifications have a greater impact on the photoelectrochemical efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Brenda R. Lima, Ingrid Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Nathalia C. Verissimob, Angela Albuquerque, Gabriel T. Santos, Jefferson Bettini, Flavio L. Souza
Summary: This study focuses on the impact of tetravalent and pentavalent ions on hematite photoelectrodes. The results show that the modifier insertion improves overall efficiency and photoelectrochemical performance, but also creates additional surface states.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
