Open AccessSURFACE STUDY ON α-Fe2O3 ELECTRODE FOR PHOTODECOMPOSITION OF WATER
Author(s) -
Zhien Lin,
Cheng Yun-Qi,
Wu Shu-Yao,
Xinke Wu,
Qi Shang-Xue,
Kui Xie
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
wuli xuebao
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 47
ISSN - 1000-3290
DOI - 10.7498/aps.32.1595
Subject(s) - x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , adsorption , ion , decomposition , materials science , stoichiometry , molecule , catalysis , electrode , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemical engineering , chemistry , environmental chemistry , engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry
We studied the surface of stoichiometric α-Fe2O3 sample bombarded by Ar+ ion beam, the Fe++ ion was identified on it and the surface was found to become FeO-like in property. In addition, the results of UPS and XPS analysis indicated that OH-existed on the FeO-like surface during water adsorption and the Fe++ was the active center of water decomposition. We propose that water molecules adsorpted onto the surface can preliminarily be seperated into OH- and H+ due to the catalysis of 3d electrons of Fe++ ions on the surface. So, in order to raise the efficiency of photo-decomposition of water, it is not only important to modify the band structure, but also to create Fe++ ions on the α-Fe2O3 surface.