This study first demonstrates the potential of organic photoabsorbing blends in overcoming a critical limitation of metal oxide photoanodes in tandem modules:insufficient photogenerated current.Various organic blends,...This study first demonstrates the potential of organic photoabsorbing blends in overcoming a critical limitation of metal oxide photoanodes in tandem modules:insufficient photogenerated current.Various organic blends,including PTB7-Th:FOIC,PTB7-Th:O6T-4F,PM6:Y6,and PM6:FM,were systematically tested.When coupled with electron transport layer(ETL)contacts,these blends exhibit exceptional charge separation and extraction,with PM6:Y6 achieving saturation photocurrents up to 16.8 mA cm^(-2) at 1.23 VRHE(oxygen evolution thermodynamic potential).For the first time,a tandem structure utilizing organic photoanodes has been computationally designed and fabricated and the implementation of a double PM6:Y6 photoanode/photovoltaic structure resulted in photogenerated currents exceeding 7mA cm^(-2) at 0 VRHE(hydrogen evolution thermodynamic potential)and anodic current onset potentials as low as-0.5 VRHE.The herein-presented organic-based approach paves the way for further exploration of different blend combinations to target specific oxidative reactions by selecting precise donor/acceptor candidates among the multiple existing ones.展开更多
The slow-proton-fast-electron process severely limits the catalytic efficiency of oxygen evolution reaction.A method is proposed to accelerate proton transfer by building up local electric fields.Modifying acetic,etha...The slow-proton-fast-electron process severely limits the catalytic efficiency of oxygen evolution reaction.A method is proposed to accelerate proton transfer by building up local electric fields.Modifying acetic,ethanedioic and propanetricarboxylic(C_(6)H_(8)O_(6))ligands on BiVO_(4)surface results in a potential difference between BiVO_(4)and ligands that generates a local electric field which serves as a driving force for proton transfer.Among the ligands,carrying the strongest electron-withdrawing ability,the modification of C_(6)H_(8)O_(6) forms the strongest local electric field and leads to the fastest proton transfer and the smallest thermodynamic overpotential.C_(6)H_(8)O_(6)-BiVO_(4)exhibits 3.5 times photocurrent density as high as that of pure BiVO_(4),which is 3.50 mA cm^(-2)at 1.23 VRHE.The onset potential of C_(6)H_(8)O_(6)-BiVO_(4)shifts negatively from 0.70 to 0.38 VRHE.The mechanism for OER transitions from thermodynamically high energy proton-coupled electron transfer to thermodynamically low energy electron transfer as proton transfer is accelerated.展开更多
Conversion of solar energy into H_(2) by photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is recognized as an ideal way to address the growing energy crisis and environmental issues.In a typical PEC cell,the construction of p...Conversion of solar energy into H_(2) by photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is recognized as an ideal way to address the growing energy crisis and environmental issues.In a typical PEC cell,the construction of photoanodes is crucial to guarantee the high efficiency and stability of PEC reactions,which fundamentally rely on rationally designed semiconductors(as the active materials)and substrates(as the current collectors).In this review work,we start with a brief introduction of the roles of substrates in the PEC process.Then,we provide a systematic overview of representative strategies for the controlled fabrication of photoanodes on rationally designed substrates,including conductive glass,metal,sapphire,silicon,silicon carbide,and flexible substrates.Finally,some prospects concerning the challenges and research directions in this area are proposed.展开更多
BiVO_(4)(BVO)is a promising material as the photoanode for use in photoelectrochemical applications.However,the high charge recombination and slow charge transfer of the BVO have been obstacles to achieving satisfacto...BiVO_(4)(BVO)is a promising material as the photoanode for use in photoelectrochemical applications.However,the high charge recombination and slow charge transfer of the BVO have been obstacles to achieving satisfactory photoelectrochemical performance.To address this,various modifications have been attempted,including the use of ferroelectric materials.Ferroelectric materials can form a permanent polarization within the layer,enhancing the separation and transport of photo-excited electron-hole pairs.In this study,we propose a novel approach by depositing an epitaxial BiFeO_(3)(BFO)thin film underneath the BVO thin film(BVO/BFO)to harness the ferroelectric property of BFO.The self-polarization of the inserted BFO thin film simultaneously functions as a buffer layer to enhance charge transport and a hole-blocking layer to reduce charge recombination.As a result,the BVO/BFO photoanodes showed more than 3.5 times higher photocurrent density(0.65 mA cm^(-2))at 1.23 V_(RHE)under the illumination compared to the bare BVO photoanodes(0.18 m A cm^(-2)),which is consistent with the increase of the applied bias photon-to-current conversion efficiencies(ABPE)and the result of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)analysis.These results can be attributed to the self-polarization exhibited by the inserted BFO thin film,which promoted the charge separation and transfer efficiency of the BVO photoanodes.展开更多
To solve the problem of high photogenerated carrier recombination rate and low photoelectric conversion efficiency of TiO_(2)-based materials,a simple N-doped anatase/rutile TiO_(2) heterophase nanorod film was design...To solve the problem of high photogenerated carrier recombination rate and low photoelectric conversion efficiency of TiO_(2)-based materials,a simple N-doped anatase/rutile TiO_(2) heterophase nanorod film was designed by a low-temperature hydrothermal method in this work.The enhanced separation and transport of photogenerated charges were facilitated by the smaller contact barrier and appropriate band matching between anatase TiO_(2)nanoparticles and rutile TiO_(2) nanorods.The introduction of N doping in anatase TiO_(2) resulted in an upward shift of the valence band and a narrowing of the band gap,consequently enhancing the efficiency of visible light utilization.The combination of the heterophase junction and N-doping exhibited a synergistic effect,effectively suppressing the recombination of photogenerated charges and enhancing the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoanode.Under AM 1.5G irradiation,the photocurrent density(J)of the A-TO(N)@R-TONR photoanode reached2.19 mA·cm^(-2)(V_(RHE,1.23 eV)).Additionally,the incident photon-electron conversion efficiency(IPCE)and the charge injection efficiency(η)reached 81.4%and 51.6%at320 nm.Furthermore,the J,IPCE,andηvalues of the A-TO(N)@R-TONR photoanode were 2.96,2.1 and 3.2times those of pure R-TONR photoanode,respectively.This work presents a rational strategy for designing efficient TiO_(2)-based photoanodes.展开更多
The TiO_(2) with nanoparticles(NPs),nanowires(NWs),nanorods(NRs)and nanotubes(NTs)structures were prepared by using a in-situ hydrothermal technique,and then proposed as a photoanode for flexible dye-sensitized solar ...The TiO_(2) with nanoparticles(NPs),nanowires(NWs),nanorods(NRs)and nanotubes(NTs)structures were prepared by using a in-situ hydrothermal technique,and then proposed as a photoanode for flexible dye-sensitized solar cell(FDSSC).The influences of the morphology of TiO_(2) on the photovoltaic performances of FDSSCs were investigated.Under rear illumination of 100 mW·cm^(−2),the power conversion efficiencies of FDSSCs achieved 6.96%,7.36%,7.65%,and 7.83%with the TiO_(2) photoanodes of NPs,NWs,NRs,and NTs and PEDOT counter electrode.The FDSSCs based on TiO_(2) NRs and NTs photoanodes have higher short circuit current densities and power conversion efficiencies than that of the others.The enhanced power conversion efficiency is responsible for their nanotubes and rod-shaped ordered structures,which are more beneficial to transmission of electron and hole in semiconductor compared to the TiO_(2) nanoparticles and nanowires disordered structure.展开更多
CuS is an encouraging photoelectrode candidate that meets the essential requirements for efficient solar-to-hydrogen production,but it has not been thoroughly studied.A CuS light absorber layer is grown by the self-as...CuS is an encouraging photoelectrode candidate that meets the essential requirements for efficient solar-to-hydrogen production,but it has not been thoroughly studied.A CuS light absorber layer is grown by the self-assembly of copper and sulfur precursors on a carbon paper(CP)electrode.Simultaneously,rGO is introduced as a buffer layer to control the optical and electrical properties of the absorber.The well-ordered microstructural arrangement suppresses the recombination loss of electrons and holes owing to enhanced charge-carrier generation,separation,and transport.The potential reaching 10 mA cm^(-2)in 1.0 M KOH solution is significantly lowered to 0.87 V,and the photocurrent density at 1.23 V is 94.7 mA cm^(-2).The computational result reveals that the potential-determining step is sensitive to O^(*)stability;the lower stability of O^(*)in the thin layer of CuS/rGO decreases the free-energy gap between the initial and final states of the potential-determining step,resulting in a lowering of the onset potential.The faradaic efficiency for the photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution reaction in the optimized 2CuS/1rGO/CP photoanode is 98.60%,and the applied bias photon-to-current and the solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies are 11.2%and 15.7%,respectively,and its ultra-high performance is maintained for 250 h.These record-breaking achievement indices may be a trigger for establishing a green hydrogen economy.展开更多
The combination of photoelectrochemical water oxidation hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))on the anode and hydrogen evolution on the cathode increase the value of the water splitting process.However,the sluggish water oxid...The combination of photoelectrochemical water oxidation hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))on the anode and hydrogen evolution on the cathode increase the value of the water splitting process.However,the sluggish water oxidation kinetics and slow carrier transport limit the generation of H_(2)O_(2).In this study,to promote H_(2)O_(2) production,the surface of a Mo doped BiVO_(4) photoanode was modified with CoO_(x) co-catalyst.The resulting CoO_(x)/Mo-BiVO_(4) photoanode generates H_(2)O_(2) at a rate of 0.39μmol min-1 cm–2 with a selectivity of 76.9%at 1.7 VRHE.The experimental results indicate that CoO_(x) decorated on Mo-BiVO_(4) kinetically favors the H_(2)O_(2) production via reduced band bending,while inhibiting H_(2)O_(2) decomposition.According to density functional theory calculations,the loading of CoO_(x) enhances the efficiency of the Mo-BiVO_(4) photoanode in generating H_(2)O_(2).Moreover,the in-situ generated H_(2)O_(2) through CoO_(x)/Mo-BiVO_(4) was applied to the degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solution,finding that CoO_(x)/Mo-BiVO_(4) exhibits the best performance among the catalysts evaluated.This work demonstrates that the CoO_(x) co-catalyst can effectively facilitate the water oxidation to H_(2)O_(2),opening a way for its application in situ water remediation.展开更多
Flexible polymer-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer promising potential for lightweight, cost-effective and versatile photovoltaic applications. However, the critical challenge in their widespread applicat...Flexible polymer-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer promising potential for lightweight, cost-effective and versatile photovoltaic applications. However, the critical challenge in their widespread applications is the weak thermal stability of most polymeric substrates, which can only withstand a maximum temperature processing of 150˚C. In this study, a facile and low-cost strategy is proposed to develop at low temperature DSSC flexible photoanode based on a polymeric matrix. Highly porous nanocomposites fibrous mats composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanobars were prepared through an electrospinning process using different configurations (uniaxial electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, and electrospray-assisted electrospinning). These techniques enabled precise control of the microstructure and the positioning of TiO2 within the composite nanofibers. Therefore, the as-produced photoanodes were loaded with N719 dye and tested in DSSC prototype using iodide-triiodide electrolyte and platinum (Pt) coated counter electrode. The results show that incorporating TiO2 on the fiber surface through the electrospray-assisted electrospinning enhanced the performance of the nanofiber composite, leading to improved dye loading capacity, electron transfer efficiency and photovoltaic performance.展开更多
A novel WO3-x/TiO2 film as photoanode was synthesized for photoelectrocatalytic（PEC） reduction of CO2 into formic acid（HCOOH）. The films prepared by doctor blade method were characterized with X-ray diffractometer...A novel WO3-x/TiO2 film as photoanode was synthesized for photoelectrocatalytic（PEC） reduction of CO2 into formic acid（HCOOH）. The films prepared by doctor blade method were characterized with X-ray diffractometer（XRD）, scanning electron microscope（SEM） and transmission electron microscope（TEM）. The existence of oxygen vacancies in the WO3-x was confirmed with an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）, and the accurate oxygen index was determined by a modified potentiometric titrimetry method. After 3h of photoelectrocatalytic reduction, the formic acid yield of the WO3-x/TiO2 film is 872 nmol/cm^2, which is 1.83 times that of the WO3/TiO2 film. The results of PEC performance demonstrate that the introduction of WO3-x nanoparticles can improve the charge transfer performance so as to enhance the performance of PEC reduction of CO2 into formic acid.展开更多
Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting capable of reducing and oxidizing water into hydrogen and oxygen in a generation mode of spatial separation has gained extensive popularity.In order to effectively produce hydr...Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting capable of reducing and oxidizing water into hydrogen and oxygen in a generation mode of spatial separation has gained extensive popularity.In order to effectively produce hydrogen at the photocathode of a PEC cell,the photoanode,where the oxygen evolution reaction occurs,should be systematically developed on priority.In particular,WO3 has been identified as one of the most promising photoanode materials owing to its narrow band gap and high valence band position.Its practical implementation,however,is still limited by excessive electron–hole recombination and poor water oxidation kinetics.This review presents the various strategies that have been studied for enhancing the PEC water oxidation performance of WO3,such as controlling the morphology,introducing defects,constructing a heterojunction,loading a cocatalyst,and exploiting the plasmonic effect.In addition,the possible future research directions are presented.展开更多
Designing low-cost and high-performance photoelectrodes with improved light harvesting and charge separation rates is significant in photoelectrochemical water splitting.Here,a novel TiO2/Cu2O/Al/Al2O3 photoelectrode ...Designing low-cost and high-performance photoelectrodes with improved light harvesting and charge separation rates is significant in photoelectrochemical water splitting.Here,a novel TiO2/Cu2O/Al/Al2O3 photoelectrode is manufactured by depositing plasmonic nanoparticles of the non-noble metal Al on the surface of a TiO2/Cu2O core/shell heterojunction for the first time.The Al nanoparticles,which exhibit a surface plasmon resonance(SPR)effect and are substantially less expensive than noble metals such as Au and Ag,generate hot electron-hole pairs and amplify the electromagnetic field at the interface under illumination.The as-prepared TiO2/Cu2O/Al/Al2O3 photoelectrodes have an extended absorption range and enhanced carrier separation and transfer.Their photocurrent density of 4.52 mA·cm^-2 at 1.23 V vs.RHE represents an 1.84-fold improvement over that of TiO2/Cu2O.Specifically,the ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layer spontaneously generated on the surface of Al in air could act as a protective layer to significantly increase its stability.In this work,the synergistic effect of the heterojunctions and the SPR effect of the non-noble metal Al significantly improve the photoelectrode performance,providing a novel concept for the design of electrodes with good properties and high practicability.展开更多
The effect of chromium doping on the photo- voltaic efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） with anodized TiO2 nanotubes followed by an annealing process was investigated. Cr-doped TiO2 nanotubes （CrTNs） ...The effect of chromium doping on the photo- voltaic efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） with anodized TiO2 nanotubes followed by an annealing process was investigated. Cr-doped TiO2 nanotubes （CrTNs） with different amounts of chromium were obtained by anodizing of titanium foils in a single-step process using potassium chro- mate as the chromium source. Film features were investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX）, and ultraviolet-visible （UV-Vis） spectroscopy. It is clearly seen that highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes are formed in an anodizing solution free of potassium chromate, and with a gradual increase in the potassium chromate concentration, these nanotube structures change to nanoporous and compact films without porosity. The photovoltaic efficiencies of fabricated DSSCs were characterized by a solar cell measurement sys- tem via the photocurrent-voltage （l-V） curves. It is found that the photovoltaic efficiency of DSSCs with CrTNsl sample is improved by more than three times compared to that of DSSCs with undoped TNs. The energy conversion efficiency increases from 1.05 % to 3.89 % by doping of chromium.展开更多
A comprehensive understanding of the role of the electrocatalyst in photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is central to improving its performance.Herein,taking the Si-based photoanodes(n^(+)p-Si/SiO_(x)/Fe/FeOx/MOO...A comprehensive understanding of the role of the electrocatalyst in photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is central to improving its performance.Herein,taking the Si-based photoanodes(n^(+)p-Si/SiO_(x)/Fe/FeOx/MOOH,M=Fe,Co,Ni)as a model system,we investigate the effect of the transition-metal electrocatalysts on the oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Among the photoanodes with the three different electrocatalysts,the best OER activity,with a low-onset potential of∼1.01 VRHE,a high photocurrent density of 24.10 mA cm^(-2)at 1.23 VRHE,and a remarkable saturation photocurrent density of 38.82 mA cm^(-2),was obtained with the NiOOH overlayer under AM 1.5G simulated sunlight(100 mW cm^(-2))in 1 M KOH electrolyte.The optimal interfacial engineering for electrocatalysts plays a key role for achieving high performance because it promotes interfacial charge transport,provides a larger number of surface active sites,and results in higher OER activity,compared to other electrocatalysts.This study provides insights into how electrocatalysts function in water-splitting devices to guide future studies of solar energy conversion.展开更多
A versatile phase transformation strategy was proposed to synthesize novel BiVO4 nanosheets(NSs)@WO3 nanorod(NR)and nanoplate(NP)arrays films.The strategy was carried out by following a three-step hydrothermal process...A versatile phase transformation strategy was proposed to synthesize novel BiVO4 nanosheets(NSs)@WO3 nanorod(NR)and nanoplate(NP)arrays films.The strategy was carried out by following a three-step hydrothermal process(WO3→WO3/Bi2WO6→WO3/BiVO4).According to the characterization results,plenty of BiVO4 NSs grew well on the surface of WO3 NR and NP arrays films,thus forming the WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction structure.The prepared WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction films were used as the photoanodes for the photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.As indicated by the results,the photoanodes exhibited an excellent PEC activity.The photocurrent densities of the WO3/BiVO4 NR and NP photoanodes at 1.23 V(vs RHE)without cocatalyst under visible light illumination reached up to about 1.56 and 1.20 mA/cm2,respectively.展开更多
A bismuth vanadate(BiVO4)photoanode with a cocatalyst consisting of NiFe layered double‐hydroxide(NiFe‐LDH)nanoparticles was fabricated for photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.NiFe‐LDH nanoparticles,which can ...A bismuth vanadate(BiVO4)photoanode with a cocatalyst consisting of NiFe layered double‐hydroxide(NiFe‐LDH)nanoparticles was fabricated for photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.NiFe‐LDH nanoparticles,which can improve light‐absorption capacities and facilitate efficient hole transfer to the surface,were deposited on the surface of the BiVO4 photoanode by a hydrothermal method.All the samples were characterized using X‐ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy.Linear sweep voltammetry and current‐time plots were used to investigate the PEC activity.The photocurrent response of NiFe‐LDH/BiVO4 at 1.23 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode was higher than those of Ni(OH)2/BiVO4,Fe(OH)2/BiVO4 and pure BiVO4 electrodes under visible‐light illumination.NiFe‐LDH/BiVO4 also gave a superior PEC hydrogen evolution performance.Furthermore,the stability of the NiFe‐LDH/BiVO4 photoanode was excellent compared with that of the bare BiVO4 photoanode,and offers a novel method for solar‐assisted water splitting.展开更多
With the aim of reducing series resistance and increasing dye loading,novel dye-sensitized solar cell architecture was designed with TiO2 nanoparticle-coated Ag nanowires array as the photoanode.Ag nanowire array was ...With the aim of reducing series resistance and increasing dye loading,novel dye-sensitized solar cell architecture was designed with TiO2 nanoparticle-coated Ag nanowires array as the photoanode.Ag nanowire array was prepared by anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templateassisted electrochemical deposition route.Then,Ag nanowires were coated by TiO2 nanoparticles in hydrothermal process.The structures of the photoanode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).Ag nanowires are covered by a layer of very fine nanoparticles with a diameter of less than 5 nm.X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) show that Ag nanowires have a strong preferred orientation in (220) direction and the TiO2 coating layer is a polycrystalline structure.With this photoanode,3.2 % conversion efficiency is achieved for the cell sensitized with N3 dye.展开更多
A novel Sb2O3/Sb2S3/FeOOH photoanode was fabricated via a simple solution impregnation method along with chemical bath deposition and post-sulfidation.The X-ray diffractometry,Raman measurement,and X-ray photoelectron...A novel Sb2O3/Sb2S3/FeOOH photoanode was fabricated via a simple solution impregnation method along with chemical bath deposition and post-sulfidation.The X-ray diffractometry,Raman measurement,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the Sb2O3/Sb2S3/FeOOH thin films are successfully prepared.SEM−EDS analyses reveal that the surface of Sb2O3/Sb2S3 thin films becomes rough after the immersion in the FeCl3 solution.The optimized impregnation time is found to be 8 h.The FeOOH co-catalyst loaded Sb2O3/Sb2S3 electrode exhibits an enhanced photocurrent density of 0.45 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus RHE under simulated 1 sun,which is approximately 1.41 times compared to the photocurrent density of the unloaded one.Through the further tests of UV−Vis spectroscopy,the electrochemical impedance spectra,and the PEC measurements,the enhancement can result from the increased light-harvesting ability,the decreased interface transmission impedance,and the remarkably enhanced carrier injection efficiency.展开更多
Solar-driven water splitting is considered as a promising method to mitigate the energy crisis and various environmental issues.Bismuth vanadate(BiVO_(4))is photoanode material with tremendous potential for photoelect...Solar-driven water splitting is considered as a promising method to mitigate the energy crisis and various environmental issues.Bismuth vanadate(BiVO_(4))is photoanode material with tremendous potential for photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.However,its PEC performance is severely hindered owing to poor surface charge transfer,surface recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte junction,and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction(OER)kinetics.In this regard,a novel solution was developed in this study to address these issues by decorating the surface of BiVO_(4)with cobalt sulfide,whose attractive features such as low cost,high conductivity,and rapid charge-transfer ability assisted in improving the PEC activity of the BiVO_(4)photoanode.The fabricated photoanode exhibited a significantly enhanced photocurrent density of 3.2 m A cm^(-2)under illumination at 1.23 V vs.a reversible hydrogen electrode,which is more than 2.5 times greater than that of pristine BiVO_(4).Moreover,the Co S/BiVO_(4)photoanode also exhibited considerable improvements in the charge injection yield(75.8%vs.36.7%for the bare BiVO_(4)film)and charge separation efficiency(79.8%vs.66.8%for the pristine BiVO_(4)film).These dramatic enhancements were primarily ascribed to rapid charge-transport kinetics and efficient reduction of the anodic overpotential for oxygen evolution enabled by the surface modification of BiVO_(4)by Co S.This study provides valuable suggestions for designing efficient photocatalysts via surface modification to improve the PEC performance.展开更多
Planar films of pure and Ti^(4+)-dopedβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)were prepared by a spray pyrolysis method.X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra of the metastableβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film showed that its thermal stability was sign...Planar films of pure and Ti^(4+)-dopedβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)were prepared by a spray pyrolysis method.X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra of the metastableβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film showed that its thermal stability was significantly improved because of covalent bonds in the interfaces between the film and substrate,while only weak Van der Waals bonds existed at the interfaces within the particle-assembledβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film prepared by electrophoretic deposition.The as-prepared planar films were thus able to withstand higher annealing temperature and stronger laser irradiation power in comparison with theβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)particle-assembly.Ti^(4+)doping was used to increase the concentration of carriers in the metastableβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film.Compared with pureβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)photoanodes,the highest saturated photocurrent for water splitting over the Ti^(4+)-dopedβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)photoanode was increased by a factor of approximately three.Theβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)photoanode exhibited photochemical stability for water splitting for a duration exceeding 100 h,which indicates its important potential application in solar energy conversion.展开更多
基金partly funded by a BIST Ignite Programme grant from the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology(Code:MOLOPEC)financial support from LICROX and SOREC2 EUFunded projects(Codes:951843 and 101084326)+7 种基金the BIST Program,and Severo Ochoa Programpartially funded by CEX2019-000910-S(MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and PID2020-112650RBI00),Fundació Cellex,Fundació Mir-PuigGeneralitat de Catalunya through CERCAfunding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101081441financial support by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación(grant PRE2018-084881)the financial support by from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101081441support from the MCIN/AEI JdC-F Fellowship(FJC2020-043223-I)the Severo Ochoa Excellence Postdoctoral Fellowship(CEX2019-000910-S).
文摘This study first demonstrates the potential of organic photoabsorbing blends in overcoming a critical limitation of metal oxide photoanodes in tandem modules:insufficient photogenerated current.Various organic blends,including PTB7-Th:FOIC,PTB7-Th:O6T-4F,PM6:Y6,and PM6:FM,were systematically tested.When coupled with electron transport layer(ETL)contacts,these blends exhibit exceptional charge separation and extraction,with PM6:Y6 achieving saturation photocurrents up to 16.8 mA cm^(-2) at 1.23 VRHE(oxygen evolution thermodynamic potential).For the first time,a tandem structure utilizing organic photoanodes has been computationally designed and fabricated and the implementation of a double PM6:Y6 photoanode/photovoltaic structure resulted in photogenerated currents exceeding 7mA cm^(-2) at 0 VRHE(hydrogen evolution thermodynamic potential)and anodic current onset potentials as low as-0.5 VRHE.The herein-presented organic-based approach paves the way for further exploration of different blend combinations to target specific oxidative reactions by selecting precise donor/acceptor candidates among the multiple existing ones.
文摘The slow-proton-fast-electron process severely limits the catalytic efficiency of oxygen evolution reaction.A method is proposed to accelerate proton transfer by building up local electric fields.Modifying acetic,ethanedioic and propanetricarboxylic(C_(6)H_(8)O_(6))ligands on BiVO_(4)surface results in a potential difference between BiVO_(4)and ligands that generates a local electric field which serves as a driving force for proton transfer.Among the ligands,carrying the strongest electron-withdrawing ability,the modification of C_(6)H_(8)O_(6) forms the strongest local electric field and leads to the fastest proton transfer and the smallest thermodynamic overpotential.C_(6)H_(8)O_(6)-BiVO_(4)exhibits 3.5 times photocurrent density as high as that of pure BiVO_(4),which is 3.50 mA cm^(-2)at 1.23 VRHE.The onset potential of C_(6)H_(8)O_(6)-BiVO_(4)shifts negatively from 0.70 to 0.38 VRHE.The mechanism for OER transitions from thermodynamically high energy proton-coupled electron transfer to thermodynamically low energy electron transfer as proton transfer is accelerated.
基金Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,Grant/Award Number:LY23E020002National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:52272085 and 51972178+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo,Grant/Award Number:2021J145China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,Grant/Award Number:2020M681966。
文摘Conversion of solar energy into H_(2) by photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is recognized as an ideal way to address the growing energy crisis and environmental issues.In a typical PEC cell,the construction of photoanodes is crucial to guarantee the high efficiency and stability of PEC reactions,which fundamentally rely on rationally designed semiconductors(as the active materials)and substrates(as the current collectors).In this review work,we start with a brief introduction of the roles of substrates in the PEC process.Then,we provide a systematic overview of representative strategies for the controlled fabrication of photoanodes on rationally designed substrates,including conductive glass,metal,sapphire,silicon,silicon carbide,and flexible substrates.Finally,some prospects concerning the challenges and research directions in this area are proposed.
基金supported by the program of Future Hydrogen Original Technology Development(2021M3I3A1084747),through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Korean government(Ministry of Science and ICT(MSIT))by the NRF grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No.2020R1A2C1005590)。
文摘BiVO_(4)(BVO)is a promising material as the photoanode for use in photoelectrochemical applications.However,the high charge recombination and slow charge transfer of the BVO have been obstacles to achieving satisfactory photoelectrochemical performance.To address this,various modifications have been attempted,including the use of ferroelectric materials.Ferroelectric materials can form a permanent polarization within the layer,enhancing the separation and transport of photo-excited electron-hole pairs.In this study,we propose a novel approach by depositing an epitaxial BiFeO_(3)(BFO)thin film underneath the BVO thin film(BVO/BFO)to harness the ferroelectric property of BFO.The self-polarization of the inserted BFO thin film simultaneously functions as a buffer layer to enhance charge transport and a hole-blocking layer to reduce charge recombination.As a result,the BVO/BFO photoanodes showed more than 3.5 times higher photocurrent density(0.65 mA cm^(-2))at 1.23 V_(RHE)under the illumination compared to the bare BVO photoanodes(0.18 m A cm^(-2)),which is consistent with the increase of the applied bias photon-to-current conversion efficiencies(ABPE)and the result of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)analysis.These results can be attributed to the self-polarization exhibited by the inserted BFO thin film,which promoted the charge separation and transfer efficiency of the BVO photoanodes.
基金financially supported by the University Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Province(No.2022AH050848)the Graduate Innovation Fund of Anhui Province(No.2022xscx082)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12304134)。
文摘To solve the problem of high photogenerated carrier recombination rate and low photoelectric conversion efficiency of TiO_(2)-based materials,a simple N-doped anatase/rutile TiO_(2) heterophase nanorod film was designed by a low-temperature hydrothermal method in this work.The enhanced separation and transport of photogenerated charges were facilitated by the smaller contact barrier and appropriate band matching between anatase TiO_(2)nanoparticles and rutile TiO_(2) nanorods.The introduction of N doping in anatase TiO_(2) resulted in an upward shift of the valence band and a narrowing of the band gap,consequently enhancing the efficiency of visible light utilization.The combination of the heterophase junction and N-doping exhibited a synergistic effect,effectively suppressing the recombination of photogenerated charges and enhancing the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoanode.Under AM 1.5G irradiation,the photocurrent density(J)of the A-TO(N)@R-TONR photoanode reached2.19 mA·cm^(-2)(V_(RHE,1.23 eV)).Additionally,the incident photon-electron conversion efficiency(IPCE)and the charge injection efficiency(η)reached 81.4%and 51.6%at320 nm.Furthermore,the J,IPCE,andηvalues of the A-TO(N)@R-TONR photoanode were 2.96,2.1 and 3.2times those of pure R-TONR photoanode,respectively.This work presents a rational strategy for designing efficient TiO_(2)-based photoanodes.
基金The authors are very grateful to the joint support by NSFC(No.61704047)This work is also supported by Science and Technology Development Project of Henan Province(Nos.212102210126 and 202300410057).
文摘The TiO_(2) with nanoparticles(NPs),nanowires(NWs),nanorods(NRs)and nanotubes(NTs)structures were prepared by using a in-situ hydrothermal technique,and then proposed as a photoanode for flexible dye-sensitized solar cell(FDSSC).The influences of the morphology of TiO_(2) on the photovoltaic performances of FDSSCs were investigated.Under rear illumination of 100 mW·cm^(−2),the power conversion efficiencies of FDSSCs achieved 6.96%,7.36%,7.65%,and 7.83%with the TiO_(2) photoanodes of NPs,NWs,NRs,and NTs and PEDOT counter electrode.The FDSSCs based on TiO_(2) NRs and NTs photoanodes have higher short circuit current densities and power conversion efficiencies than that of the others.The enhanced power conversion efficiency is responsible for their nanotubes and rod-shaped ordered structures,which are more beneficial to transmission of electron and hole in semiconductor compared to the TiO_(2) nanoparticles and nanowires disordered structure.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No.2022R1A2C2008313)
文摘CuS is an encouraging photoelectrode candidate that meets the essential requirements for efficient solar-to-hydrogen production,but it has not been thoroughly studied.A CuS light absorber layer is grown by the self-assembly of copper and sulfur precursors on a carbon paper(CP)electrode.Simultaneously,rGO is introduced as a buffer layer to control the optical and electrical properties of the absorber.The well-ordered microstructural arrangement suppresses the recombination loss of electrons and holes owing to enhanced charge-carrier generation,separation,and transport.The potential reaching 10 mA cm^(-2)in 1.0 M KOH solution is significantly lowered to 0.87 V,and the photocurrent density at 1.23 V is 94.7 mA cm^(-2).The computational result reveals that the potential-determining step is sensitive to O^(*)stability;the lower stability of O^(*)in the thin layer of CuS/rGO decreases the free-energy gap between the initial and final states of the potential-determining step,resulting in a lowering of the onset potential.The faradaic efficiency for the photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution reaction in the optimized 2CuS/1rGO/CP photoanode is 98.60%,and the applied bias photon-to-current and the solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies are 11.2%and 15.7%,respectively,and its ultra-high performance is maintained for 250 h.These record-breaking achievement indices may be a trigger for establishing a green hydrogen economy.
文摘The combination of photoelectrochemical water oxidation hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))on the anode and hydrogen evolution on the cathode increase the value of the water splitting process.However,the sluggish water oxidation kinetics and slow carrier transport limit the generation of H_(2)O_(2).In this study,to promote H_(2)O_(2) production,the surface of a Mo doped BiVO_(4) photoanode was modified with CoO_(x) co-catalyst.The resulting CoO_(x)/Mo-BiVO_(4) photoanode generates H_(2)O_(2) at a rate of 0.39μmol min-1 cm–2 with a selectivity of 76.9%at 1.7 VRHE.The experimental results indicate that CoO_(x) decorated on Mo-BiVO_(4) kinetically favors the H_(2)O_(2) production via reduced band bending,while inhibiting H_(2)O_(2) decomposition.According to density functional theory calculations,the loading of CoO_(x) enhances the efficiency of the Mo-BiVO_(4) photoanode in generating H_(2)O_(2).Moreover,the in-situ generated H_(2)O_(2) through CoO_(x)/Mo-BiVO_(4) was applied to the degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solution,finding that CoO_(x)/Mo-BiVO_(4) exhibits the best performance among the catalysts evaluated.This work demonstrates that the CoO_(x) co-catalyst can effectively facilitate the water oxidation to H_(2)O_(2),opening a way for its application in situ water remediation.
文摘Flexible polymer-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer promising potential for lightweight, cost-effective and versatile photovoltaic applications. However, the critical challenge in their widespread applications is the weak thermal stability of most polymeric substrates, which can only withstand a maximum temperature processing of 150˚C. In this study, a facile and low-cost strategy is proposed to develop at low temperature DSSC flexible photoanode based on a polymeric matrix. Highly porous nanocomposites fibrous mats composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanobars were prepared through an electrospinning process using different configurations (uniaxial electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, and electrospray-assisted electrospinning). These techniques enabled precise control of the microstructure and the positioning of TiO2 within the composite nanofibers. Therefore, the as-produced photoanodes were loaded with N719 dye and tested in DSSC prototype using iodide-triiodide electrolyte and platinum (Pt) coated counter electrode. The results show that incorporating TiO2 on the fiber surface through the electrospray-assisted electrospinning enhanced the performance of the nanofiber composite, leading to improved dye loading capacity, electron transfer efficiency and photovoltaic performance.
基金Project(21471054)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘A novel WO3-x/TiO2 film as photoanode was synthesized for photoelectrocatalytic（PEC） reduction of CO2 into formic acid（HCOOH）. The films prepared by doctor blade method were characterized with X-ray diffractometer（XRD）, scanning electron microscope（SEM） and transmission electron microscope（TEM）. The existence of oxygen vacancies in the WO3-x was confirmed with an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）, and the accurate oxygen index was determined by a modified potentiometric titrimetry method. After 3h of photoelectrocatalytic reduction, the formic acid yield of the WO3-x/TiO2 film is 872 nmol/cm^2, which is 1.83 times that of the WO3/TiO2 film. The results of PEC performance demonstrate that the introduction of WO3-x nanoparticles can improve the charge transfer performance so as to enhance the performance of PEC reduction of CO2 into formic acid.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21808189, 21663027)the Science and Technology Support Project of Gansu Province (1504GKCA027)+2 种基金the Program for Innovative Research Team (NWNULKQN-15-2)the Opening Project of Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control (GKLECPC-12)the Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institutes of High Education (LYJ18205)~~
文摘Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting capable of reducing and oxidizing water into hydrogen and oxygen in a generation mode of spatial separation has gained extensive popularity.In order to effectively produce hydrogen at the photocathode of a PEC cell,the photoanode,where the oxygen evolution reaction occurs,should be systematically developed on priority.In particular,WO3 has been identified as one of the most promising photoanode materials owing to its narrow band gap and high valence band position.Its practical implementation,however,is still limited by excessive electron–hole recombination and poor water oxidation kinetics.This review presents the various strategies that have been studied for enhancing the PEC water oxidation performance of WO3,such as controlling the morphology,introducing defects,constructing a heterojunction,loading a cocatalyst,and exploiting the plasmonic effect.In addition,the possible future research directions are presented.
文摘Designing low-cost and high-performance photoelectrodes with improved light harvesting and charge separation rates is significant in photoelectrochemical water splitting.Here,a novel TiO2/Cu2O/Al/Al2O3 photoelectrode is manufactured by depositing plasmonic nanoparticles of the non-noble metal Al on the surface of a TiO2/Cu2O core/shell heterojunction for the first time.The Al nanoparticles,which exhibit a surface plasmon resonance(SPR)effect and are substantially less expensive than noble metals such as Au and Ag,generate hot electron-hole pairs and amplify the electromagnetic field at the interface under illumination.The as-prepared TiO2/Cu2O/Al/Al2O3 photoelectrodes have an extended absorption range and enhanced carrier separation and transfer.Their photocurrent density of 4.52 mA·cm^-2 at 1.23 V vs.RHE represents an 1.84-fold improvement over that of TiO2/Cu2O.Specifically,the ultrathin Al2O3 passivation layer spontaneously generated on the surface of Al in air could act as a protective layer to significantly increase its stability.In this work,the synergistic effect of the heterojunctions and the SPR effect of the non-noble metal Al significantly improve the photoelectrode performance,providing a novel concept for the design of electrodes with good properties and high practicability.
基金the financial support from Iranian Nanotechnology Society and Isfahan University of Technology (IUT) Research Council
文摘The effect of chromium doping on the photo- voltaic efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） with anodized TiO2 nanotubes followed by an annealing process was investigated. Cr-doped TiO2 nanotubes （CrTNs） with different amounts of chromium were obtained by anodizing of titanium foils in a single-step process using potassium chro- mate as the chromium source. Film features were investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX）, and ultraviolet-visible （UV-Vis） spectroscopy. It is clearly seen that highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes are formed in an anodizing solution free of potassium chromate, and with a gradual increase in the potassium chromate concentration, these nanotube structures change to nanoporous and compact films without porosity. The photovoltaic efficiencies of fabricated DSSCs were characterized by a solar cell measurement sys- tem via the photocurrent-voltage （l-V） curves. It is found that the photovoltaic efficiency of DSSCs with CrTNsl sample is improved by more than three times compared to that of DSSCs with undoped TNs. The energy conversion efficiency increases from 1.05 % to 3.89 % by doping of chromium.
文摘A comprehensive understanding of the role of the electrocatalyst in photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is central to improving its performance.Herein,taking the Si-based photoanodes(n^(+)p-Si/SiO_(x)/Fe/FeOx/MOOH,M=Fe,Co,Ni)as a model system,we investigate the effect of the transition-metal electrocatalysts on the oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Among the photoanodes with the three different electrocatalysts,the best OER activity,with a low-onset potential of∼1.01 VRHE,a high photocurrent density of 24.10 mA cm^(-2)at 1.23 VRHE,and a remarkable saturation photocurrent density of 38.82 mA cm^(-2),was obtained with the NiOOH overlayer under AM 1.5G simulated sunlight(100 mW cm^(-2))in 1 M KOH electrolyte.The optimal interfacial engineering for electrocatalysts plays a key role for achieving high performance because it promotes interfacial charge transport,provides a larger number of surface active sites,and results in higher OER activity,compared to other electrocatalysts.This study provides insights into how electrocatalysts function in water-splitting devices to guide future studies of solar energy conversion.
基金The authors are grateful for the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21808051,51904356,21703062).
文摘A versatile phase transformation strategy was proposed to synthesize novel BiVO4 nanosheets(NSs)@WO3 nanorod(NR)and nanoplate(NP)arrays films.The strategy was carried out by following a three-step hydrothermal process(WO3→WO3/Bi2WO6→WO3/BiVO4).According to the characterization results,plenty of BiVO4 NSs grew well on the surface of WO3 NR and NP arrays films,thus forming the WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction structure.The prepared WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction films were used as the photoanodes for the photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.As indicated by the results,the photoanodes exhibited an excellent PEC activity.The photocurrent densities of the WO3/BiVO4 NR and NP photoanodes at 1.23 V(vs RHE)without cocatalyst under visible light illumination reached up to about 1.56 and 1.20 mA/cm2,respectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21663027,51262028,21261021)the Science and Technology Support Project of Gansu Province(1504GKCA027)+2 种基金the Program for the Young Innovative Talents of Longyuanthe Program for Innovative Research Team(NWNULKQN-15-2)the Undergraduate Academic Innovative Research Team of Northwest Normal University~~
文摘A bismuth vanadate(BiVO4)photoanode with a cocatalyst consisting of NiFe layered double‐hydroxide(NiFe‐LDH)nanoparticles was fabricated for photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.NiFe‐LDH nanoparticles,which can improve light‐absorption capacities and facilitate efficient hole transfer to the surface,were deposited on the surface of the BiVO4 photoanode by a hydrothermal method.All the samples were characterized using X‐ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy.Linear sweep voltammetry and current‐time plots were used to investigate the PEC activity.The photocurrent response of NiFe‐LDH/BiVO4 at 1.23 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode was higher than those of Ni(OH)2/BiVO4,Fe(OH)2/BiVO4 and pure BiVO4 electrodes under visible‐light illumination.NiFe‐LDH/BiVO4 also gave a superior PEC hydrogen evolution performance.Furthermore,the stability of the NiFe‐LDH/BiVO4 photoanode was excellent compared with that of the bare BiVO4 photoanode,and offers a novel method for solar‐assisted water splitting.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51301041)
文摘With the aim of reducing series resistance and increasing dye loading,novel dye-sensitized solar cell architecture was designed with TiO2 nanoparticle-coated Ag nanowires array as the photoanode.Ag nanowire array was prepared by anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templateassisted electrochemical deposition route.Then,Ag nanowires were coated by TiO2 nanoparticles in hydrothermal process.The structures of the photoanode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).Ag nanowires are covered by a layer of very fine nanoparticles with a diameter of less than 5 nm.X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) show that Ag nanowires have a strong preferred orientation in (220) direction and the TiO2 coating layer is a polycrystalline structure.With this photoanode,3.2 % conversion efficiency is achieved for the cell sensitized with N3 dye.
基金Project(51674298)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2017JJ3384)supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province,ChinaProject(2018M630910)supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation。
文摘A novel Sb2O3/Sb2S3/FeOOH photoanode was fabricated via a simple solution impregnation method along with chemical bath deposition and post-sulfidation.The X-ray diffractometry,Raman measurement,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the Sb2O3/Sb2S3/FeOOH thin films are successfully prepared.SEM−EDS analyses reveal that the surface of Sb2O3/Sb2S3 thin films becomes rough after the immersion in the FeCl3 solution.The optimized impregnation time is found to be 8 h.The FeOOH co-catalyst loaded Sb2O3/Sb2S3 electrode exhibits an enhanced photocurrent density of 0.45 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus RHE under simulated 1 sun,which is approximately 1.41 times compared to the photocurrent density of the unloaded one.Through the further tests of UV−Vis spectroscopy,the electrochemical impedance spectra,and the PEC measurements,the enhancement can result from the increased light-harvesting ability,the decreased interface transmission impedance,and the remarkably enhanced carrier injection efficiency.
文摘Solar-driven water splitting is considered as a promising method to mitigate the energy crisis and various environmental issues.Bismuth vanadate(BiVO_(4))is photoanode material with tremendous potential for photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting.However,its PEC performance is severely hindered owing to poor surface charge transfer,surface recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte junction,and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction(OER)kinetics.In this regard,a novel solution was developed in this study to address these issues by decorating the surface of BiVO_(4)with cobalt sulfide,whose attractive features such as low cost,high conductivity,and rapid charge-transfer ability assisted in improving the PEC activity of the BiVO_(4)photoanode.The fabricated photoanode exhibited a significantly enhanced photocurrent density of 3.2 m A cm^(-2)under illumination at 1.23 V vs.a reversible hydrogen electrode,which is more than 2.5 times greater than that of pristine BiVO_(4).Moreover,the Co S/BiVO_(4)photoanode also exhibited considerable improvements in the charge injection yield(75.8%vs.36.7%for the bare BiVO_(4)film)and charge separation efficiency(79.8%vs.66.8%for the pristine BiVO_(4)film).These dramatic enhancements were primarily ascribed to rapid charge-transport kinetics and efficient reduction of the anodic overpotential for oxygen evolution enabled by the surface modification of BiVO_(4)by Co S.This study provides valuable suggestions for designing efficient photocatalysts via surface modification to improve the PEC performance.
文摘Planar films of pure and Ti^(4+)-dopedβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)were prepared by a spray pyrolysis method.X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra of the metastableβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film showed that its thermal stability was significantly improved because of covalent bonds in the interfaces between the film and substrate,while only weak Van der Waals bonds existed at the interfaces within the particle-assembledβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film prepared by electrophoretic deposition.The as-prepared planar films were thus able to withstand higher annealing temperature and stronger laser irradiation power in comparison with theβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)particle-assembly.Ti^(4+)doping was used to increase the concentration of carriers in the metastableβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)film.Compared with pureβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)photoanodes,the highest saturated photocurrent for water splitting over the Ti^(4+)-dopedβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)photoanode was increased by a factor of approximately three.Theβ-Fe_(2)O_(3)photoanode exhibited photochemical stability for water splitting for a duration exceeding 100 h,which indicates its important potential application in solar energy conversion.
