Elaboration and characterization of nanoplate structured α-Fe2O3 films by Ag3PO4

• Published in: Solar energy 2016-10, Vol.135, p.274-283
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chuangli, Wu, Quanping, Ke, Xuebin, Ren, Yajun, Xue, Song, Wang, Hongyan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hematite film; Photocurrent; Photoelectrochemical water splitting; Silver orthophosphate
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2016.06.007

[Display omitted] •Nanoplate structured α-Fe2O3 thin film on FTO substrate was prepared from FeOOH nanorod arrays mediated by Ag3PO4.•Different synthesis routes for Ag3PO4 modified hematite thin films were compared.•Ag-doped and phosphate ions coated α-Fe2O3 nanoplate films were synthesized through spin coating Ag3PO4 powder on FeOOH film.•The photocurrent is further improved to 0.98mAcm−2 by the in-situ formed Ag3PO4 in the solution of AgNO3 and KH2PO4. A new strategy for surface treatment of hematite nanoplates for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances is proposed. Silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) has been adopted to mediate the formation of α-Fe2O3 films. Phosphate ions in Ag3PO4 is found to cause a significant morphology change during annealing process, from β-FeOOH nanorod arrays to hematite nanoplates. Meanwhile, Ag ions is doped into α-Fe2O3 film. The obtained nanoplate structured Fe2O3–Ag–P films demonstrate much higher photoelectrochemical performance as photoanodes than the bare Fe2O3 nanorod thin films. The effects of phosphate and silver ions on the morphology, surface characteristics and the PEC properties of the photoanodes are investigated.