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A new method for the fabrication of a bilayer WO3/Fe2O3 photoelectrode for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
;  [1];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. School of Chemical Sciences & Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia)
  2. Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia)
Highlights: • A thin layer of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} is layered on the electrodeposited WO{sub 3} photoelectrode. • The light absorption of WO{sub 3} was extended towards the visible light region, resulting higher photoelctrochemical performance. • Charge transfer mechanism in the bilayer photoanode was suggested. - Abstract: A bilayer WO{sub 3}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} heterojunction photoelectrode was prepared with a new approach for photoelectrochemical reactions. WO{sub 3} was deposited onto an FTO conductive glass substrate via electrodeposition, followed by the deposition of an ultrathin Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer using the chemical bath deposition method. The presence of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer improved the light absorption of WO{sub 3}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} toward visible light region (red-shift). The addition of a thin layer of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} on WO{sub 3} resulted in higher photocatalytic performance (two-fold improvement) compared to that of pristine WO{sub 3}. In addition, the WO{sub 3}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} photoelectrode also showed a positive photoresponse for methanol degradation. The photocurrent generation of the bilayer photoelectrode improved 1.6-fold with the addition of methanol as a sacrificial donor.
OSTI ID:
22805367
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Vol. 98; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English