Photoelectrochemical Measurements on Thermally Grown Platinum Containing Iron Oxide Photoanodes

Abstract

Experimental conditions are discussed for the thermal growth of iron oxide photoanodes which promote α‐Fe2O3 formation. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of iron oxide electrodes is compared as a function of surface modification procedure. Platinum was found to be an effective electrocatalyst when incorporated into the bulk of the thermally grown iron oxide during the latter's preparation. This procedure was found to increase the carrier density and to give a more negative flatband potential.

Photoanodic Properties of Sol−Gel-Derived Fe2O3 Thin Films Containing Dispersed Gold and Silver Particles

“…A number of studies have been carried out on the photoanodic properties of α-Fe 2 O 3 in wet-type solar cells since α-Fe 2 O 3 has a relatively small band gap of 2.2 eV and photoelectrochemical stability in aqueous solutions. − α-Fe 2 O 3 has, however, small optical absorption coefficient and carrier mobility, both of which are disadvantages for photoanodic properties. , Improvements of absorption coefficient and carrier mobility would lead to an increase in quantum efficiency and energy conversion efficiency. Increasing the carrier mobility, however, would be difficult because the minority carrier diffusion length is small at 2−4 nm in α-Fe 2 O 3 3 due to the hopping mechanism .…”

“…Increasing the carrier mobility, however, would be difficult because the minority carrier diffusion length is small at 2−4 nm in α-Fe 2 O 3 3 due to the hopping mechanism . An increase in carrier concentration has been attempted by doping α-Fe 2 O 3 with various metal cations, − which often introduce energy traps, however, leading to reduced carrier mobility.…”