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Influence of preparation method on zinc oxide properties’ for photoelectrochemical application

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Abstract

It is crucial to select an efficient synthesis process, since it is a key factor that significantly influences the efficacy of the synthesized nanomaterials. In this line of thought, the current study provides an insight into the effect of synthesis methods on structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films. Indeed, this has been achieved by dint of various techniques including: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), contact angle and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) analysis. Equally important, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances of the different ZnO films were examined using Linear Sweep Voltammetry technique, Chronoamperometry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. Our work illustrates a comparative study of different Zinc Oxide photoanodes prepared by three synthesis’s methods: Sol Gel, Hydrothermal and Electrodeposition. It is worth noting that the results from XRD analysis showed that the ZnO photoanodes exhibited a wurtzite phase with a (002) preferential orientation for ZnO (E), ZnO (H) and (101) orientation for ZnO (SG). Besides, the morphological analysis revealed different structures of particles: nanoparticles and nanowires. Additionally, the UV–Vis absorption spectra indicated absorption peaks in the UV region and band gap values of 3.31 eV, 3.07 eV and 3.04 eV were obtained for ZnO (SG), ZnO (H) and ZnO (E) respectively. Among all prepared particles, ZnO nanoparticles elaborated by Sol Gel exhibited a better photocurrent density (0.072 mA.cm−2) and the high value of donor density (5.75 1021 cm−3). Our work paves the way of potential application of ZnO nanoparticles in water splitting device.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Unit of Electrochemistry, Materials and Environment (UREME), Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, City Erriadh, 6072, Gabes, Tunisia

    Meriem Ben Aziza & Salah Ammar

  2. Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Systems for Renewable Energies (LANSER), Research and Technology Center of Energy, Techno-Park Borj-Cedria, Bp 95, Hammam-Lif, 2050, Tunis, Tunisia

    Meriem Ben Aziza, Yousra Litaiem & Radhouane Chtourou

  3. Institut of Design and Fabrication (IDF), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera S/N, 46022, València, Spain

    Bernabé Mari Soucase

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  1. Meriem Ben Aziza
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Ben Aziza, M., Litaiem, Y., Soucase, B.M. et al. Influence of preparation method on zinc oxide properties’ for photoelectrochemical application. Braz. J. Chem. Eng. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-023-00397-w

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