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Nanostructured α-Fe2O3 Photoanodes

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Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production

Part of the book series: Electronic Materials: Science & Technology ((EMST,volume 102))

Abstract

Due to its abundance, stability, and ability to absorb solar irradiation, Hematite, α-Fe2O3, has been investigated for its application in solar hydrogen production via water splitting for more than three decades. However, the recent application of nanostructuring techniques has provided significant advances in the performance of hematite photoanodes. Here, the basic material properties, the attractive aspects, and the challenges presented by hematite for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting are reviewed. Various methods of enhancing performance by nanometer morphology control are detailed and the resulting PEC performances are compared. These techniques, including solution-based routes for porous thin films and nanowire arrays, potentiostatic anodization for nanotube arrays, electrodeposition, ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, and atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition, have increased the understanding of the material parameters critical to the performance of hematite, and resulted in an increase of quantum efficiency to over 20% with 450 nm light (compared to 6% with optimized single crystals under similar conditions) and an overall solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of 3.3% when used in a tandem device. In addition, the remaining limitations of morphology, carrier recombination, slow oxidation kinetics, and flatband potential are presented with the recent advances and approaches in overcoming them and realizing the full potential of hematite for solar hydrogen production.

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  1. Institut des sciences et ingénierie chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Kevin Sivula

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  1. Dept. Chemical Technology, Particle Technology Group, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, Delft, 2628 BL, Netherlands

    Roel van de Krol

  2. Fac. Sciences de Base, Inst. Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, CH G1 525, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland

    Michael Grätzel

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Sivula, K. (2012). Nanostructured α-Fe2O3 Photoanodes. In: van de Krol, R., Grätzel, M. (eds) Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production. Electronic Materials: Science & Technology, vol 102. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1380-6_4

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