α-Fe2O3/AmTiO2 heterojunction-based photoanode with improved interfacial charge transport properties for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

To improve the photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance of the alpha-Fe2O3 photoanode, in this work, we synthesized the alpha-Fe2O3/AmTiO2 (Am = Amorphous) heterojunction on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate with improved charge transport properties. Two different compositions of alpha-Fe2O3/ AmTiO2 heterojunctions were synthesized by varying the titanium precursor and were named as a-Fe2O3/AmTiO2-1 and alpha-Fe2O3/AmTiO2-2. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties were studied using different characterization techniques. Compared with the alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructure, the formation of alpha-Fe2O3/AmTiO2-2 heterojunction increases the photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs RHE in threefold. It is observed that amorphous TiO2 could offer high electrical conductivity with enhanced charge transport properties along with a minimum of photoexcited charge carrier's recombination rates and, thus, enhances the water-splitting performance under the simulated solar illumination. The results demonstrate the new way for the preparation of alpha-Fe2O3/ AmTiO2 heterojunction towards efficient water-splitting application.

Automated summary

In order to enhance the photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance of the alpha-Fe2O3 photoanode, the alpha-Fe2O3/AmTiO2 heterojunction was synthesized on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate with improved charge transport properties. The amorphous TiO2 in the heterojunction provides high electrical conductivity and reduces recombination rates of photoexcited charge carriers, leading to enhanced water-splitting performance under solar illumination. These results demonstrate a promising approach for the preparation of alpha-Fe2O3/AmTiO2 heterojunction for efficient water-splitting applications.