Iron Oxide Photoelectrode with Multidimensional Architecture for Highly Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Jin Soo Kang, Yoonsook Noh, Jin Kim, Hyelim Choi, Tae Hwa Jeon, Docheon Ahn, Jae Yup Kim, Seung Ho Yu, Hyeji Park, Jun Ho Yum, Wonyong Choi, David C. Dunand, Heeman Choe*, Yung Eun Sung

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6583-6588
Number of pages6
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume56
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2017

Funding

Y.-E.S. acknowledges financial support from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in the Republic of Korea (Project Code: IBS-R006-G1). H.C. acknowledges supports from the Basic Science Research Program (2014R1A2A1A11052513) and Priority (2012-0006680) Research Centers Program through the National Research Foundation (NRF) of the Republic of Korea.

Keywords

  • anodization
  • iron oxide
  • metal foam
  • photoelectrochemistry
  • water splitting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Catalysis

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