Iron Oxide Photoelectrode with Multidimensional Architecture for Highly Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Jin Soo Kang, Yoonsook Noh, Jin Kim, Hyelim Choi, Tae Hwa Jeon, Docheon Ahn, Jae Yup Kim, Seung Ho Yu, Hyeji Park, Jun Ho Yum, Wonyong Choi, David C. Dunand, Heeman Choe, Yung Eun Sung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors have shown outstanding performances in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, but limitations in light harvesting and charge collection have necessitated further advances in photoelectrode design. Herein, we propose anodized Fe foams (AFFs) with multidimensional nano/micro-architectures as a highly efficient photoelectrode for PEC water splitting. Fe foams fabricated by freeze-casting and sintering were electrochemically anodized and directly used as photoanodes. We verified the superiority of our design concept by achieving an unprecedented photocurrent density in PEC water splitting over 5 mA cm−2 before the dark current onset, which originated from the large surface area and low electrical resistance of the AFFs. A photocurrent of over 6.8 mA cm−2 and an accordingly high incident photon-to-current efficiency of over 50 % at 400 nm were achieved with incorporation of Co oxygen evolution catalysts. In addition, research opportunities for further advances by structual and compositional modifications are discussed, which can resolve the low fill factoring behavior and improve the overall performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6583-6588
Number of pages6
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume56
Issue number23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Jun 1
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Keywords

  • anodization
  • iron oxide
  • metal foam
  • photoelectrochemistry
  • water splitting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

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