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Nanostructural characterization of mesoporous hematite thin film photoanode used for water splitting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2013

Ricardo H. Goncalves  and
Edson R. Leite
Ricardo H. Goncalves
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sao Carlos, 13565-905 Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
Edson R. Leite*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sao Carlos, 13565-905 Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: edson.leite@pq.cnpq.br
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Abstract

By combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy with analytical capability, we investigated the nanostructure of a textured hematite photoanode with columnar grains obtained by the colloidal deposition of magnetite nanocrystals. This initial report describes in detail the structure and chemistry of the α-Fe2O3/SnO2:F interface by identifying semicoherent and incoherent interfaces as well as a localized interdiffusion layer of Sn and Fe at the interface (∼100 nm in length). Our study indicates that unintentional doping by tin at a high sintering temperature is not significant in enhancing hematite photoanode performance for water oxidation. The correlation of nanoscale morphology with photoelectrochemical characterization facilitated the identification of the beneficial effect of a preferential growth direction of a hematite film along the [110] axis for water-splitting efficiency.

Keywords

nanostructureenergy storagethin film
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 29 , Issue 1: Focus Issue: Synthesis of Nanostructured Functional Oxides , 14 January 2014 , pp. 47 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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References

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