Enhanced PEC generation of hydrogen from seawater driven by efficient and stable Ti-Fe2O3 photoanode

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 679; p. 161246
• Main Authors: Ramalingam, Karthick, Bieńkowski, Krzysztof, Nawaz, Nabila, Solarska, Renata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.01.2025
• Subjects: Hematite photoanode; Photoelectrochemical water splitting; Seawater splitting; Solar hydrogen production; Hematite photoanode; Solar hydrogen production; Seawater splitting; Photoelectrochemical water splitting
• ISSN: 0169-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.161246

Solar Seawater Splitting for Hydrogen Generation. [Display omitted] •Facile fabrication of Ti-Fe2O3 photoanodes by spray technique.•Enhanced photocurrent response after decorating Ti4+ into hematite lattice.•Long-term stability in alkaline seawater environment more than 20 h.•Increased hydrogen production at 1.23 V vs RHE due to the band alignment changes. Incorporation of Ti4+ ions into the hematite (α-Fe2O3) photoanodes has garnered significant consideration for the photoelectrochemical water splitting process since it improves the charge transport and optical properties of pristine hematite material. Herein, we have approached a facile route to fabricate the thin films of Ti-Fe2O3 by spray pyrolysis treatment. The Ti-Fe2O3 photocurrent density delivers 1.34 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V RHE in an alkaline seawater environment, showing its excellent performance for photoelectrochemical water- splitting applications. Moreover, it offers outstanding stability in seawater (0.5 M NaCl + 1 M KOH) at applied 1.23 V for 20 h and produces 21.79 µmol/cm2.h of hydrogen. Hence, it will hold a tremendously promising electrode within this area for efficient solar hydrogen generation.