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Influence of Au plasmons and their synergistic effects with ZnO nanorods for photoelectrochemical water splitting applications

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Abstract

Herein, Au plasmons and their synergistic effects with ZnO nanorods (ZNs) have been investigated for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting application. Au plasmons and ZNs are deposited electrochemically. Au-modified nanostructures have absorption in the visible region as plasmons enhance charge transfer and inhibit charge recombination. ZNs modified with Au (deposition duration ~ 60 s) have a photo-current density of ~ 660 μA cm−2, at a bias of 1.0 V/SCE. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the structure and surface morphology of fabricated photoanodes. In addition, UV–Visible absorption and Photoluminescence spectroscopy were used for optical characterization. We have recorded current–voltage measurements and photo-conversion efficiency measurements to substantiate our observations of the synthesized photoanodes for future application in PEC splitting of water. We have also carried out Mott-Schottky and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. The analysis reveals that Au-modified ZNs-based photoanodes are a better proposition than their bare counterparts for PEC water splitting application.

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Acknowledgements

Vidhika Sharma, Mohit Prasad, and Sandesh Jadkar are thankful to Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research-CEFIPRA, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, for special financial support. Sandesh Jadkar is also thankful to UGC for financial support under the UPE program. Vidya Doiphode, Ashvini Punde, Pratibha Shinde, Yogesh Hase, and Ashish Waghmare are thankful to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India for financial support under the National Renewable Energy Fellowship (NREF) program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy Studies, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411 007, India

    Sayed Abdul Saboor, Vidhika Sharma, Ebrima L. Darboe, Vidya Doiphode, Ashvini Punde, Pratibha Shinde, Vijaya Jadkar, Yogesh Hase, Ashish Waghmare & Mohit Prasad

  2. Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411 007, India

    Sandesh Jadkar

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Saboor, S.A., Sharma, V., Darboe, E.L. et al. Influence of Au plasmons and their synergistic effects with ZnO nanorods for photoelectrochemical water splitting applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 32, 20525–20538 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-06564-4

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