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Abstract
Transparent nano-structured hematite (α-Fe2O3) films of approximately 550 nm thickness on tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) have been obtained conveniently by ink-jet printing of a Fe(NO3)3/Brij® O10 precursor ink and subsequent annealing at 500 °C in air. When illuminated with a blue LED (λ = 455 nm, ca. 100 mW cm−2), the hematite films exhibited photocurrents of up to 70 μA cm−2 at 0.4 V vs. SCE in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte. Thermal annealing in vacuum at 500 °C for 2 h increased photocurrents more than three times to 230 μA cm−2 in agreement with previous literature reports for pure hematite materials. These results suggest that a simple ink-jetting process with surfactants is viable. The effects of vacuum-annealing on the photoelectrical properties of α-Fe2O3 films are discussed in terms of a sub-surface state templating hypothesis based on data gathered from photo-transients, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction, photocurrent spectra, and cyclic voltammetry.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 289-295 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Applied Catalysis B: Environmental |
Volume | 211 |
Early online date | 21 Apr 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Aug 2017 |
Keywords
- Hematite films
- Oxygen evolution
- Photoanode
- Solar energy
- Water splitting
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- General Environmental Science
- Process Chemistry and Technology
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Dive into the research topics of 'Vacuum-annealing induces sub-surface redox-states in surfactant-structured α-Fe2O3 photoanodes prepared by ink-jet printing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Applying Long-Lived Metastable States in Switchable Functionality via Kinetic Control of Molecular Assembly
Raithby, P. (PI), Burrows, A. (CoI), Lewis, D. (CoI), Marken, F. (CoI), Parker, S. (CoI), Walsh, A. (CoI) & Wilson, C. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/11/12 → 30/04/18
Project: Research council