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X‐Shaped α‐FeOOH with Enhanced Charge Separation for Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Author(s) -
Wang Tianqi,
Jiang Zhifeng,
Chu Ka Him,
Wu Dan,
Wang Bo,
Sun Hongli,
Yip Ho Yin,
An Taicheng,
Zhao Huijun,
Wong Po Keung
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201800059
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , hydrothermal circulation , materials science , water splitting , chemical engineering , catalysis , particle size , visible spectrum , particle (ecology) , electrochemistry , specific surface area , nanotechnology , electron transfer , photochemistry , chemistry , electrode , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , geology , oceanography , engineering
Abstract Photocatalytic overall water splitting (POWS) is a promising route for converting solar energy into green and sustainable energy. Herein, we report a facile hydrothermal approach for the fabrication of x‐shaped α‐FeOOH photocatalysts containing high‐index facets for POWS. The x‐shaped α‐FeOOH photocatalysts exhibited enhanced visible‐light‐driven POWS activities in comparison with that of FeOOH without x‐structures, with a maximum H 2 and O 2 evolution rate of 9.2 and 4.7 μmol h −1 g −1 , respectively. The morphology and particle size of the α‐FeOOH could be controlled by adjusting the NH 4 F concentration in the precursors. The photodeposition of Pt and RuO 2 on the x‐shaped α‐FeOOH revealed the specially separated reduction and oxidation centers on the surface of α‐FeOOH, with the oxidation‐active sites selectively located on the edges of the α‐FeOOH x‐structures. Electrochemical experiments further affirmed the enhanced charge separation in the x‐shaped α‐FeOOH. The smaller particle size and unique x‐shape of the α‐FeOOH photocatalyst were shown to enhance the POWS performance owing to the large specific surface area, high proportion of exposed high‐index facets, high electron‐transfer efficiency and effective separation of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The current study revealed that the x‐shaped α‐FeOOH products could serve as cost‐effective and stable photocatalysts for POWS.