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n–n ZnO–Ag2CrO4 heterojunction photoelectrodes with enhanced visible-light photoelectrochemical properties
Linköping University, Department of Science and Technology, Physics and Electronics. Linköping University, Faculty of Science & Engineering. University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran.
Linköping University, Department of Science and Technology, Physics and Electronics. Linköping University, Faculty of Science & Engineering.
Linköping University, Department of Science and Technology. Linköping University, Faculty of Science & Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8150-729X
University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran.
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2019 (English)In: RSC Advances, E-ISSN 2046-2069, Vol. 9, no 14, p. 7992-8001Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In this study, ZnO nanorods (NRs) were hydrothermally grown on an Au-coated glass substrate at a relatively low temperature (90 °C), followed by the deposition of Ag2CrO4 particles via a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) route. The content of the Ag2CrO4 particles on ZnO NRs was controlled by changing the number of SILAR cycles. The fabricated ZnO–Ag2CrO4 heterojunction photoelectrodes were subjected to morphological, structural, compositional, and optical property analyses; their photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties were investigated under simulated solar light illumination. The photocurrent responses confirmed that the ability of the ZnO–Ag2CrO4 heterojunction photoelectrodes to separate the photo-generated electron–hole pairs is stronger than that of bare ZnO NRs. Impressively, the maximum photocurrent density of about 2.51 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) was measured for the prepared ZnO–Ag2CrO4 photoelectrode with 8 SILAR cycles (denoted as ZnO–Ag2CrO4-8), which exhibited about 3-fold photo-enhancement in the current density as compared to bare ZnO NRs (0.87 mA cm−2) under similar conditions. The improvement in photoactivity was attributed to the ideal band gap and high absorption coefficient of the Ag2CrO4 particles, which resulted in improved solar light absorption properties. Furthermore, an appropriate annealing treatment was proven to be an efficient process to increase the crystallinity of Ag2CrO4 particles deposited on ZnO NRs, which improved the charge transport characteristics of the ZnO–Ag2CrO4-8 photoelectrode annealed at 200 °C and increased the performance of the photoelectrode. The results achieved in the present work present new insights for designing n–n heterojunction photoelectrodes for efficient and cost-effective PEC applications and solar-to-fuel energ

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Royal Society of Chemistry, 2019. Vol. 9, no 14, p. 7992-8001
National Category
Physical Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-155657DOI: 10.1039/C9RA00639GISI: 000462646000051Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85062919263OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-155657DiVA, id: diva2:1298419
Note

Funding agencies: University of Mohaghegh Ardabili-Iran and Linkoping University-Sweden; AForsk [17-457

Available from: 2019-03-22 Created: 2019-03-22 Last updated: 2024-01-08Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Synthesis and Characterization of Some Nanostructured Materials for Visible Light-driven Photo Processes
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Synthesis and Characterization of Some Nanostructured Materials for Visible Light-driven Photo Processes
2020 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Nanostructured materials for visible light driven photo-processes such as photodegradation of organic pollutants and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation for hydrogen production are very attractive because of the positive impact on the environment. Metal oxides-based nanostructures are widely used in these photoprocesses due to their unique properties. But single nanostructured metal oxide material might suffer from low efficiency and instability in aqueous solutions under visible light. These facts make it important to have an efficient and reliable nanocomposite for the photo-processes. The combination of different nanomaterials to form a composite configuration can produce a material with new properties. The new properties which are due to the synergetic effect, are a combination of the properties of all the counterparts of the nanocomposite. Zinc oxides (ZnO) have unique optical and electrical properties which grant it to be used in optoelectronics, sensors, solar cells, nanogenerators, and photocatalysis activities. Although ZnO absorbs visible light from the sun due to the deep level band, it mainly absorbs ultraviolet wavelengths which constitute a small portion of the whole solar spectrum range. Also, ZnO has a problem with the high recombination rate of the photogenerated electrons. These problems might reduce its applicability to the photo-process. Therefore, our aim is to develop and investigate different nanocomposites materials based on the ZnO nanostructures for the enhancement of photocatalysis processes using the visible solar light as a green source of energy. Two photo-processes were applied to examine the developed nanocomposites through photocatalysis: (1) the photodegradation of organic dyes, (2) PEC water splitting. In the first photo-process, we used the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), Magnesium (Mg)-doped ZnO NPs, and plasmonic ZnO/graphene-based nanocomposite for the decomposition of some organic dyes that have been used in industries. For the second photo-process, ZnO photoelectrode composite with different silver-based semiconductors to enhance the performance of the ZnO photoelectrode was used for PEC reaction analysis to perform water splitting. The characterization and photocatalysis experiment results showed remarkable enhancement in the photocatalysis efficiency of the synthesized nanocomposites. The observed improved properties of the ZnO are due to the synergetic effects are caused by the addition of the other nanomaterials. Hence, the present thesis attends to the synthesis and characterization of some nanostructured materials composite with ZnO that are promising candidates for visible light-driven photo-processes.  

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press, 2020. p. 89
Series
Linköping Studies in Science and Technology. Dissertations, ISSN 0345-7524 ; 2059
Keywords
ZnO, Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites, Heterostructures, Photocatalysis
National Category
Materials Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-164334 (URN)10.3384/diss.diva-164334 (DOI)9789179298784 (ISBN)
Public defence
2020-04-17, K3 Önnesjösalen, Kåkenhus, Campus Norrköping, Norrköping, 10:15 (English)
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Available from: 2020-03-18 Created: 2020-03-18 Last updated: 2024-01-08Bibliographically approved

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Elhag, SamiLiu, XianjieWillander, MagnusNur, Omer

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