Photoelectrochemical hydrogen production using nanostructured α-Fe_2O_3 electrodes

摘要

We report the methodology and fabrication of α-Fe_2O_3 nanostructured photoelectrodes for water splitting applications. Thin films of α-Fe_2O_3 (hematite) were deposited onto nanostructured substrates (ZnO nanowires and TiO_2 nanotubes) using filtered arc deposition (FAD). It is proposed that such nanostructured electrodes can overcome the poor absorption and high charge carrier recombination of planar α-Fe_2O_3 films used for water splitting. Results of the characterization and optimization of the α-Fe_2O_3 films and the nanostructured substrates are presented. The filtered arc deposition technique is shown to produce high purity α-Fe_2O_3 films. Results of preliminary studies of silicon doping of the hematite films are presented. The filtered arc deposition technique is shown to be suitable for coating highly structured substrates.