Loading...

Modifying Hole Transport in Branched hematite Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Farhoosh, Shima | 2019

627 Viewed
  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 52128 (04)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Physics
  6. Advisor(s): Naseri, Naimeh
  7. Abstract:
  8. Regarding increasing world population, air pollution and depletion of fossil fuels supplies, hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for providing a clean and renewable source of energy. Hematite (α-Fe2O3), the most common natural form of iron oxide, with a suitable band gap, high stability, earth-abundant nature and low cost has been widely acknowledged as a photoanode. However, intrinsic drawbacks of hematite like low electrical conductivity, short hole diffusion length and high recombination rate of electron-hole pairs hinder its photoelectrochemical performance with high efficiency. In this research, hematite nanostructures were synthesized via a simple and low cost hydrothermal method, and after applying some modifications like Ti and Sn doping, adding FeOOH electrocatalyst and formation of heterojuction with Fe2TiO5 layer, were analyzed systematically. FeOOH electrocatalysts lead to the formation of nano-branches on hematite nanorods which enhance charge carriers transport by establishing preferred pathways for holes. Optimized 5% mole Ti doping with FeOOH electrocatalysts has a significant effect in enhancing the PEC performance of hematite in which the current density has reached to 0.52 mA/cm2 at 0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Furthermore, surface modification of hematite and formation of heterojunction with Fe2TiO5 layer can promote charge separation and lead to the increase of the current density by reducing the recombination rate. The current density has increased to 0.59 mA for the sample with 5% mole Ti, FeOOH electrocatalysts and Fe2TiO5 layer
  9. Keywords:
  10. Hematite ; Iron Oxide ; Photoanode Electrode ; Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting ; Hydrogen Producing ; Hole Transfer

 Digital Object List

 Bookmark

No TOC