Surface modification of hematite photoanode by NiFe layered double hydroxide for boosting photoelectrocatalytic water oxidation

The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the most efficient ways for utilizing solar energy for water electrolysis. Nevertheless, up to now, the PEC conversion efficiency of the established photoanode is still low. In this work, alpha-Fe2O3/NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) photoanodes were synthesized by electrodeposition of LDH on alpha-Fe2O3. Compared with bare alpha-Fe2O3, the alpha-Fe2O3/Ni0.5Fe0.5-LDH photoanode displays about 3 times photocurrent enhancement and excellent long-term stability. The enhanced PEC activity of alpha-Fe2O3/NiFe-LDH is ascribed to the interface between alpha-Fe2O3 and NiFe-LDH which can facilitate charge transfer and improve carrier density. Simultaneously, NiFe-LDH as a co-catalyst can accelerate the surface OER kinetics. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.