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Surface modification of hematite photoanode films with rhodium

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Abstract

The Si and Ti codoped hematite (α-Fe2O3) photoanode film was dripped by Na3RhCl6·12H2O alkaline solution to negatively shift the onset potential of α-Fe2O3 photoanode by ∼ 200 mV. The photocurrent densities of as-treated and untreated α-Fe2O3 are 0.6, and 0.08 mA/cm2, respectively at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl in the electrolyte of 1 M NaOH aqueous solution under 500 W xenon illumination. The IPCE (incident photon to current efficiency) of the as-treated α-Fe2O3 is 5.2% at 365 nm, 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. A plausible explanation is proposed for the enhanced α-Fe2O3 photoelectrochemical responses. The result shows that rhodium could be ranked as an efficient oxygen evolution catalyst.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecomaterials and Renewable Energy Research Center, National Laboratory of Solid Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Minglong Zhang, Wenjun Luo, Zhaosheng Li, Tao Yu & Zhigang Zou

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Minglong Zhang, Wenjun Luo & Zhaosheng Li

  3. Department of Airfield, Xuzhou Airforce College, Xuzhou, 221000, China

    Minglong Zhang

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  1. Minglong Zhang
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  2. Wenjun Luo
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  3. Zhaosheng Li
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  4. Tao Yu
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  5. Zhigang Zou
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Correspondence to Zhaosheng Li.

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Zhang, M., Luo, W., Li, Z. et al. Surface modification of hematite photoanode films with rhodium. Rare Metals 30 (Suppl 1), 38–41 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-011-0233-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-011-0233-5

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