Blue-light-excited NaCe(MoO4)2 microcrystals for photoelectrochemical water splitting

We report the structural, morphological, and optical characterization, and the application of sodium-cerium molybdate (NaCe(MoO4)(2)) as a promising photoelectroactive material for water splitting. Information on these several properties was obtained by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance. For the photoelectrochemical tests, NaCe(MoO4)(2) microcrystals were deposited on conductive indium-tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate by drop coating, and the activity of the as-prepared photoanode toward oxygen evolution reaction was investigated in the absence and presence of blue light-emitting diode irradiation. Studies carried out by linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy attested to a significant photoelectroactivity of molybdate associated with the fast electron-hole pairs generation. The steady-state photocurrent density recorded under irradiation achieved a remarkable increase, varying from 1.5 mu A cm(-2) (light off) to 44.1 mu A cm(-2) (light on), in addition, it presents high stability after on-off cycles, what proves the proper performance of NaCe(MoO4)(2)/ITO as photoanode for water splitting.

Automated summary

The study reported the structural, morphological, and optical characterization of sodium-cerium molybdate, highlighting its potential as a promising photoelectroactive material for water splitting. Experimental results showed significant photoelectroactivity of the material, with a remarkable increase in photocurrent density under irradiation. The material also exhibited high stability after on-off cycles, confirming its proper performance as a photoanode for water splitting.