Publication
Title
Controlled surface modification of ZnO nanostructures with amorphous for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Author
Abstract
The utilization of solar radiation to trigger photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has gained interest for sustainable energy production. In this study, attention is focused on the development of ZnO–TiO2 nanocomposite photoanodes. The target systems are obtained by growing porous arrays of highly crystalline, elongated ZnO nanostructures on indium tin oxide (ITO) by chemical vapor deposition. Subsequently, the obtained nanodeposits are functionalized with TiO2 via radio frequency‐sputtering for different process durations, and subjected to final annealing in air. Characterization results demonstrate the successful formation of high purity composite systems in which the surface of ZnO nanostructures is decorated by ultra‐small amounts of amorphous titania, whose content can be conveniently tailored as a function of deposition time. Photocurrent density measurements in sunlight‐triggered water splitting highlight a remarkable performance enhancement with respect to single‐phase zinc and titanium oxides, with up to a threefold photocurrent increase compared to bare ZnO. These results, mainly traced back to the formation of ZnO/TiO2 heterojunctions yielding an improved photocarrier separation, show that the target nanocomposites are attractive photoanodes for efficient PEC water splitting.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Advanced sustainable systems. - Weinheim, 2017, currens
Publication
Weinheim : WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. , 2019
ISSN
2366-7486 [online]
DOI
10.1002/ADSU.201900046
Volume/pages
3 :9 (2019) , 8 p.
Article Reference
1900046
ISI
000486210400002
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.07.2019
Last edited 14.01.2025
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