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Ta3N5/Co(OH)x composites as photocatalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting

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Abstract

Ta3N5 nanotubes (NTs) were obtained from nitridation of Ta2O5 NTs, which were grown directly on Ta foil through a 2-step anodization procedure. With Co(OH)x decoration, a photocurrent density as high as 2.3 mA cm−2 (1.23 V vs. NHE) was reached under AM1.5G simulated solar light; however, the electrode suffered from photocorrosion. More stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance was achieved by first loading Co(OH)x, followed by loading cobalt phosphate (Co–Pi) as double co-catalysts. The Co(OH)x/Co–Pi double co-catalysts may act as a hole storage layer that slows down the photocorrosion caused by the accumulated holes on the surface of the electrode. A “waggling” appearance close to the “mouth” of Ta2O5 NTs was observed, and may indicate structural instability of the “mouth” region, which breaks into segments after nitridation and forms a top layer of broken Ta3N5 NTs. A unique mesoporous structure of the walls of the Ta3N5 NTs, which is reported here the first time, is also a result of the nitridation process. We believe that the mesoporous structure makes it difficult for the nanotubes to be fully covered by the co-catalyst layer, hence rationalizing the remaining degradation by photocorrosion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, FERMiO, Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349, Oslo, Norway

    Kaiqi Xu, Athanasios Chatzitakis & Truls Norby

  2. SINTEF Industry, P.O. Box 124, NO-0314, Blindern, Oslo, Norway

    Ingvild Julie Thue Jensen & Mathieu Grandcolas

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  1. Kaiqi Xu
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  2. Athanasios Chatzitakis
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  3. Ingvild Julie Thue Jensen
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  5. Truls Norby
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Correspondence to Truls Norby.

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Xu, K., Chatzitakis, A., Jensen, I.J.T. et al. Ta3N5/Co(OH)x composites as photocatalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Photochem Photobiol Sci 18, 837–844 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1039/c8pp00312b

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