A beta-Fe2O3 nanoparticle-assembled film for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Since Fe₂O₃ is a promising photoanode material for water splitting, it has attracted much attention, while other phases of ferric oxide are ignored. Here, β-Fe₂O₃ was used as a photoanode material for solar water splitting. The crystal structure and phase of β-Fe₂O₃ were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman scattering, Mössbauer spectra and a superconducting quantum interference device. The photocurrent density of the β-Fe₂O₃ photoanode at 1.6 V_RHE was 0.12 mA·cm⁻² under the illumination of simulated sunlight (AM1.5G, 100 mW cm⁻²).