Vertically aligned nanocrystalline Cu–ZnO thin films for photoelectrochemical splitting of water

Sharma, Vidhika; Kumar, Pushpendra; Shrivastava, J. P.; Solanki, Anjana; Satsangi, Vibha R.; Dass, Sahab; Shrivastav, Rohit

doi:10.1007/s10853-011-5293-2

Cited by 41 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The method permits deposition of high-purity metal nanoparticles on substrates of varying sizes and shapes, with greater control over the density [22]. In continuation to our previous reports on PEC splitting of water, using nanostructured undoped/doped metal oxides, the present work is an endeavor to enhance the PEC performance of [23][24][25][26][27][28]. The study deals with the surface deposition of silver (Ag)/gold (Au) nano-isles, on ZnO thin films, which was carried out at fixed potentials, for time duration ranging 5-60 s. The sample films were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), UV-Visible spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…The method relies on determining the operative resistance (R) of PEC cell after the breakpoint voltage, from the slope of the linear portion of the I-V plot. Total ohmic resistance offered by the cell under this condition is approximated due to the film sample alone, as the electrolyte and the platinum AE together imparted only insignificant resistance [26]. The resistivity (r) values were, thus, estimated using Eq.…”

Section: Pec Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surface deposition of Ag and Au nano-isles on ZnO thin films yields enhanced photoelectrochemical splitting of water

et al. 2015

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Nanostructured zinc oxide thin films, prepared by sol-gel, were subjected to surface loading of silver/gold nano-isles by controlled electrodeposition, using aqueous solutions (10 -2 M) of silver nitrate and chloroauric acid as precursor. The deposition potentials were, respectively, -400 and -200 mV for silver and gold depositions, as the deposition time varied from 5 to 60 s. Pristine samples (i.e., samples with no deposition of metal nano-isles) were also obtained for comparison. X-ray diffractometry indicated dominant evolution of wurtzite zinc oxide phase, with a possible diffusion of silver/gold into zinc oxide lattice. However, changes in the band gap energy were insignificant. Atomic force microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analyses revealed the surface topography and morphology. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the elemental stoichiometry and existence of silver and gold nanoparticles in films. Samples exhibited significant gain in photoelectrochemical water splitting current, which is largely attributable to the facilitative role played by silver/gold nano-isles in the separation and transport of photogenerated charge-carriers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Pec Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface deposition of Ag and Au nano-isles on ZnO thin films yields enhanced photoelectrochemical splitting of water

et al. 2015

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“…However, a high intrinsic band gap of ZnO (3.2 eV) allows absorption of only UV light which correspond to 4 % of solar spectrum [11]. Various attempts are in progress to solve this problem that would enhance the PEC performance of ZnO photoanodes [12][13][14][15]. In the past few years, impurity doping has been investigated vigoursly as a method to extend the absorption spectrum of ZnO in visible region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of carbon and phosphorus doping on electronic properties of ZnO

Sharma

Prasad²,

Jadkar

et al. 2016

J Mater Sci: Mater Electron

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ZnO is one of the most promising candidate for photoelectrochemical splitting of water for hydrogen production. To increase the efficiency of ZnO based photoelectrochemical cell, its band-gap and band edges should be tailored to match visible light spectra and water redox potential respectively. In this paper, First-principles density functional theory calculations have been performed to evaluate the effect of non-metal dopants on electronic properties of ZnO. The model structures of X-doped ZnO were constructed using 32-atom 2 9 2 9 2 supercell of wurtzite ZnO with one O atom replaced with X (carbon C, phosphorus P). With respect to the electronic band structure, C (2p), P (3p) states are located above the valence band maximum of ZnO and mixing of these states is feeble to produce significant band gap narrowing. Doping of these non-metals dopants helps in the creation of isolated states which enhances visible light absorption of ZnO. Our theoretical calculations are consistent with the experimental results of C (P) doped ZnO and fully explains its visible light activity on non-metal doping.

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“…Doping of ZnO by transition metals (TM) is known to significantly red shift its optical absorption to the visible region [19e21]. In our previous communiqué we presented the effects of Cr, Ni and Cu incorporation on PEC behavior of nanocrystalline ZnO [20,21]. However, ruthenium (Ru) doping in ZnO remains practically unexplored, despite few studies indicating that it may lead to significant changes in material properties [22e24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%