Enhanced electrochemical water splitting activity in annealed TiO2 nanoparticles of photoanode

In this paper, we present the electrochemical water splitting characteristics of TiO2/FTO electrodes via spin-coating method. By using thermal annealing approach, the TiO2 nanoparticle (P25) was modified with a more active photocatalyst. The annealed TiO2 nanoparticle-based photoanode in vacuum shows photocurrent density of 0.27 mA/cm2 and photoconversion efficiency of (η = 0.22%) at potential of 0.4 V (vs. RHE), which are higher than those of annealed TiO2 nanoparticle-based electrode in air. The improved photoelectrochemical property is attributed to high oxygen vacancy density with more active sides, while TiO2 nanoparticle was annealed in vacuum (∼10−1 torr) with oxide concentration conditions. From this finding, we propose that a thermal annealing process might serve as an approach for fabricating the photoanodes of TiO2-based materials consisting of much active photocatalyst

Two new estertin modified tungstosilicates: synthesis, catalytic activity and photoelectrochemical property

Two estertin functionalized tungstosilicates were synthesized and analyzed by DFT. They exhibit good photoelectrocatalytic performance for oxidation of methanol.

The Effect of Cu Ohmic Contact on Photoelectrochemical Property of S-CuO Thin Film Photocathodes

The development of semiconductor materials as photocathodes that have excellent performance is significant for the photoelectrochemical reaction of hydrogen evolution. The thin film of sulfur-doped Copper (II) oxide (S-CuO) was successfully synthesized using the cyclic voltammetry method. Investigation of photoelectrochemical properties of S-CuO photocathodes, including current density, onset potential, applied photon to current efficiency (ABPE), and bandgap had been carried out. It was reported that the Cu ohmic contact affected the photoelectrochemical properties and the stability of the thin film. The presence of Cu ohmic contact can improve the performance of S-CuO thin film photocathodes. The S-CuO TU 20 mM thin film has the best response with a current density of -0.923 mA/cm2, an onset potential of 0.59 V, and ABPE of 0.21%. Stability occurred at pH 7 in 0.2M NaH2PO4. The optical analysis showed S-CuO TU 20 mM bandgap of 1.7 eV.