Influence of MoO3(110) Crystalline Plane on Its Self-Charging Photoelectrochemical Properties

Abstract

Nanocrystalline molybdenum oxide (α-MoO3) thin films with iso-oriented crystalline layers were synthesised by the anodisation of Mo foils. Upon band-gap excitation using light illumination, α-MoO3 generates excited electrons for reductive reactions and stores some of the excited electrons in its layered crystalline structure via alkali cation intercalation. These stored electrons can be subsequently discharged from α-MoO3 to allow reductive reactions to continue to occur under non-illuminated conditions. The modulation of water concentrations in the organic/aqueous anodisation electrolytes readily produces α-MoO3 crystals with high degree of (kk0) crystallographic orientation. Moreover, these (kk0)-oriented MoO3 crystals exhibit well-developed {hk0} and {0k0} crystal facets. In this paper, we show the benefits of producing α-MoO3 thin films with defined crystal facets and an iso-oriented layered structure for in situ storing of excited charges. α-MoO3 crystals with dominant (kk0) planes can achieve fast charging and a strong balance between charge release for immediate exploitation under illuminated conditions and charge storage for subsequent utilisation in dark. In comparison, α-MoO3 crystals with dominant (0k0) planes show a preference for excited charge storage.

Integrated Photo‐Responsive Batteries for Solar Energy Harnessing: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…Interestingly, photo‐responsive behavior could also be introduced into the anode for the air‐based battery, which integrated with a traditional air cathode. There are several attractive studies have been reported to demonstrate the concept to date . In 2001, Akuto et al.…”

An Operando Mechanistic Evaluation of a Solar‐Rechargeable Sodium‐Ion Intercalation Battery

“…[15] Prior to anodization, the Mo foils were degreased by sonicating twice for 10 min in acetone, followed by rinsing with acetone, ethanol, and distilled water. [15] Prior to anodization, the Mo foils were degreased by sonicating twice for 10 min in acetone, followed by rinsing with acetone, ethanol, and distilled water.…”

“…The photointercalation reaction at the electrode surface can be represented by Equation (1 where, TX 2 and TM int X 2 are nonintercalated and intercalated transition metal dichalcogenides, respectively; e − (hν) and h + (hν) are photogenerated electrons and holes; and M + solv represents the ionic species in the electrolyte which are to be intercalated. [14][15][16][17] These oxides are n-type semiconductors possessing favorable valence band potentials for oxygen evolution from water. [3][4][5][6][7] The experiments were preliminary in nature and designed to screen a wide range of potential semiconductor host compounds for solar-intercalation batteries.…”

Synergistic Effect in Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution by RGO‐Supported Nickel Molybdenum Catalysts

“…To avoid the complexity of the system, our approach is to study systematically how to develop an efficient photo‐electrocatalyst for visible‐light driven photo‐electrochemical evolution of hydrogen. Instead of using any third element, we have used reduced graphene oxide as support material for Ni‐Mo, catalysts. Reduced graphene oxide can not only provide space confinement but also can control restricted growth of nanoparticles, which provide more active sites for the catalytic process.…”