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Light trapping by porous TiO2 hollow hemispheres for high efficiency photoelectrochemical water splitting
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 06:47 authored by Yuanxing Fang, Ronan Hodgson, Wei Cheat Lee, Huyen Le, Hon Wing Boaz Chan, Hassan M Hassan, Ibrahim H Alsohaimi, Giacomo E Canciani, Rong Qian, Qiao ChenQiao ChenPhotocatalytic water splitting has recently received increasing attention as a green fuel source. The controlled nano-geometry of the photocatalytic material can improve light harvesting. In this study, as a proof of concept, hollow hemisphere (HHS)-based films of TiO2 material were created by a conventional electrospray method and subsequently applied for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. To preserve the morphology of the HHS structure, a hydrolysis precipitation phase separation method (HPPS) was developed. As a result, the TiO2 HHS-based thin films presented a maximum PEC water splitting efficiency of ca. 0.31%, almost two times that of the photoanode formed by TiO2 nanoparticle-based films (P25). The unique morphology and porous structure of the TiO2 HHSs with reduced charge recombination and improved light absorption are responsible for the enhanced PEC performance. Light scattering by the HHS was demonstrated with total reflection internal fluorescence microscopy (TRIFM), revealing the unique light trapping phenomenon within the HHS cavity. This work paves the way for the rational design of nanostructures for photocatalysis in fields including energy, environment, and organosynthesis.
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Publication status
- Published
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- Published version
Journal
Physical Chemistry Chemical PhysicsISSN
1463-9076Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)External DOI
Page range
1-8Department affiliated with
- Chemistry Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2023-04-18First Open Access (FOA) Date
2023-04-18First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2023-04-18Usage metrics
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