Enhancing Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation Efficiency of WO₃/α‐Fe₂O₃ Heterojunction Photoanodes by Surface Functionalization with CoPd Nanocrystals

Abstract

Sunlight can be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen by means of a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. Oxide nanostructures in heterojunction geometry, consisting of anisotropic WO 3 nanostructures coated with a second semiconductor having a narrower band gap, such as α-Fe 2 O 3 , have emerged as prospective photoanodes. Herein, the integration of monodisperse CoPd nanocrystals (NCs) with α-Fe 2 O 3 and WO 3 /α-Fe 2 O 3 heterojunction semiconductor nanostructures for PEC water oxidation is reported. Depositing CoPd NCs on the [a]

Tungsten Trioxide Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: Material Engineering and Charge Carrier Dynamic Manipulation

“…For example, Choi et al coupled Co‐Pi co‐catalyst with WO 3 photoanode, which shifted the onset potential of photoanode from −0.03 to −0.2 V versus Ag/AgCl . Slabon et al decorated the surface of WO 3 /α‐Fe 2 O 3 photoanode with CoPd nanocrystals, leading to a cathodic shift of onset potential and noteworthy increase of photocurrent (from 0.15 to 0.5 mA cm −2 ) . He et al deposited NiFe‐layer double hydroxide (LDH) on WO 3 photoanode .…”

Nanostructured core–shell metal borides–oxides as highly efficient electrocatalysts for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

“…A broad variety of n-type semiconductors have been employed as photoabsorbers in photoanode-driven systems, including TiO 2 , 10 BiVO 4 , 11 CuWO 4 , 12 and WO 3 . 13 Due to the low catalytic activity of the semiconductor surface, it is essential to modify the light-absorber with electrocatalysts. 11,14 Although this strategy to improve current densities of thin film photoanodes is generally accepted, the influence of the semiconductor-electrocatalyst interface on the PEC OER cannot be predicted directly.…”

Synthesis of Graphite Oxide/Cobalt Molybdenum Oxide Hybrid Nanosheets for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance in Supercapacitors and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…Due to low cost and high intrinsic activities of cobaltÀ molybdenum bimetallic oxides, they are also considered as promising electrocatalysts in water splitting reactions for OER. [15] MW Kanan et al have developed cobalt based phosphates electrocatalysts for water oxidation reactions. [12] CoMoO 4 /rGO nanocomposites were also reported as ORR electrocatalysts.…”

“…[14] Moreover, WO 3 /α-Fe 2 O 3 hetero-structures have shown potential applications in photoelectrochemical water oxidation reactions. [15] MW Kanan et al have developed cobalt based phosphates electrocatalysts for water oxidation reactions. [16] Various electrode materials have been developed by us for supercapacitors and electrolysis of water.…”