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Iron Oxide Photoelectrode with Multidimensional Architecture for Highly Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Author(s) -
Kang Jin Soo,
Noh Yoonsook,
Kim Jin,
Choi Hyelim,
Jeon Tae Hwa,
Ahn Docheon,
Kim JaeYup,
Yu SeungHo,
Park Hyeji,
Yum JunHo,
Choi Wonyong,
Dunand David C.,
Choe Heeman,
Sung YungEun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201703326
Subject(s) - photocurrent , water splitting , anodizing , materials science , oxide , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , chemical engineering , catalysis , photocatalysis , chemistry , metallurgy , aluminium , biochemistry , engineering
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.