摘要
Given the proper band gap, low cost and good stability, hematite （α-Fe2O3） has been considered as a promising candidate for photoelectrochemical （PEC） water splitting, however suffers from the sluggish surface water oxidation reaction kinetics. In this study, a simple dip-coating process was used to modify the surface of α-Fe2O3 nanorod arrays with cobalt oxide （COOx） and carbon （C） for the improved PEC performance, with a photocurrent density at 1.6V （vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE） increased from 0.10 mA/cm2 for the pristine α-Fe2O3 to 0.37 mA/cm2 for the CoOx/C modified α-Fe2O3 nanorods. As revealed by electrochemical analysis, thanks to the synergistic effect of CoOx and C, the PEC enhancement could be attributed to the enhanced charge transfer ability, decreased surface charge recombination, and accelerated water oxidation reaction kinetics. This study serves as a good example for improving PEC water splitting performance via a simple method.
Given the proper band gap, low cost and good stability, hematite （α-Fe2O3） has been considered as a promising candidate for photoelectrochemical （PEC） water splitting, however suffers from the sluggish surface water oxidation reaction kinetics. In this study, a simple dip-coating process was used to modify the surface of α-Fe2O3 nanorod arrays with cobalt oxide （COOx） and carbon （C） for the improved PEC performance, with a photocurrent density at 1.6V （vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE） increased from 0.10 mA/cm2 for the pristine α-Fe2O3 to 0.37 mA/cm2 for the CoOx/C modified α-Fe2O3 nanorods. As revealed by electrochemical analysis, thanks to the synergistic effect of CoOx and C, the PEC enhancement could be attributed to the enhanced charge transfer ability, decreased surface charge recombination, and accelerated water oxidation reaction kinetics. This study serves as a good example for improving PEC water splitting performance via a simple method.
基金
supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51672210,51323011,51236007)
the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province(No.2014KW0702)
the Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of China(No.201335)
the National Program for Support of Top-notch Young Professionals
the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
