Photoelectrochemical Properties and Stability of Nanoporous p-Type LaFeO3 Photoelectrodes Prepared by Electrodeposition

LaFeO3 is a p-type oxide that has an ideal bandgap and band edge positions for overall solar water splitting. This study reports an electrochemical synthesis method to produce LaFeO3 as a high surface area, nanoporous photocathode. The resulting electrode generated a photocurrent density of -0.1 mA/cm(2) at a potential as positive as 0.73 V vs RHE for photoelectrochemical oxygen reduction with a photocurrent onset potential very close to its flatband potential of 1.45 V vs RHE. Furthermore, without a protection layer, it showed stable photocurrent generation with no sign of photocorrosion. Due to the poor catalytic nature of the LaFeO3 surface for water reduction, the photocurrent obtained for water reduction was not substantial. However, its photostability and its ability to achieve a photovoltage for water reduction greater than 1.2 V encourage further studies on doping to enhance electron-hole separation as well as interfacing appropriate hydrogen evolution catalysts.