Records |
Author |
Gasparotto, A.; Maccato, C.; Sada, C.; Carraro, G.; Kondarides, D.I.; Bebelis, S.; Petala, A.; La Porta, A.; Altantzis, T.; Barreca, D. |
Title |
Controlled Surface Modification of ZnO Nanostructures with Amorphous TiO2for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting |
Type |
A1 Journal Article |
Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Advanced Sustainable Systems |
Abbreviated Journal |
Adv. Sustainable Syst. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
1900046 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ; |
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. |
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Wos |
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Publication Date |
2019-06-03 |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2366-7486 |
ISBN |
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Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
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Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
Notes |
This work was financially supported by Padova University DOR 2016–2019, P-DiSC #03BIRD2016-UNIPD, and #03BIRD2018-UNIPD projects and ACTION post-doc fellowship. A.G. acknowledges AMGAFoundation and INSTM Consortium. T.A. acknowledges a postdoctoral grant from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium). Thanks are also due to Dr. Sebastiano Pianta (Department of Chemical Sciences, Padova University, Italy) for experimental assistance. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
Call Number |
EMAT @ emat @ |
Serial |
5186 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Barreca, D.; Carraro, G.; Gasparotto, A.; Maccato, C.; Warwick, M.E.A.; Kaunisto, K.; Sada, C.; Turner, S.; Gönüllü, Y.; Ruoko, T.-P.; Borgese, L.; Bontempi, E.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Lemmetyinen, H.; Mathur, S. |
Title |
Fe2O3-TiO2Nano-heterostructure Photoanodes for Highly Efficient Solar Water Oxidation |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2015 |
Publication |
Advanced Materials Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Adv Mater Interfaces |
Volume |
2 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
1500313 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
Harnessing solar energy for the production of clean hydrogen by photoelectrochemical water splitting represents a very attractive, but challenging approach for sustainable energy generation. In this regard, the fabrication of Fe2O3–TiO2 photoanodes is reported, showing attractive performances [≈2.0 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode in 1 M NaOH] under simulated one-sun illumination. This goal, corresponding to a tenfold photoactivity enhancement with respect to bare Fe2O3, is achieved by atomic layer deposition of TiO2 over hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanostructures fabricated by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition and final annealing at 650 °C. The adopted approach enables an intimate Fe2O3–TiO2 coupling, resulting in an electronic interplay at the Fe2O3/TiO2 interface. The reasons for the photocurrent enhancement determined by TiO2 overlayers with increasing thickness are unraveled by a detailed chemico-physical investigation, as well as by the study of photogenerated charge carrier dynamics. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows that the increased photoelectrochemical response of heterostructured photoanodes compared to bare hematite is due to an enhanced separation of photogenerated charge carriers and more favorable hole dynamics for water oxidation. The stable responses obtained even in simulated seawater provides a feasible route in view of the eventual large-scale generation of renewable energy. |
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Wos |
000368914700011 |
Publication Date |
2015-09-03 |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2196-7350; |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
4.279 |
Times cited |
56 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
The authors kindly acknowledge the fi nancial support under the FP7 project “SOLAROGENIX” (NMP4-SL-2012-310333), as well as Padova University ex-60% 2012–2014 projects, Grant No. CPDR132937/13 (SOLLEONE), and Regione Lombardia-INSTM ATLANTE projects. S.T. acknowledges the FWO Flanders for a postdoctoral scholarship. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 4.279; 2015 IF: NA |
Call Number |
c:irua:129201 |
Serial |
3957 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Barreca, D.; Carraro, G.; Warwick, M.E.A.; Kaunisto, K.; Gasparotto, A.; Gombac, V.; Sada, C.; Turner, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Maccato, C.; Fornasiero, P.; |
Title |
Fe2O3-TiO2 nanosystems by a hybrid PE-CVD/ALD approach : controllable synthesis, growth mechanism, and photocatalytic properties |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2015 |
Publication |
CrystEngComm |
Abbreviated Journal |
Crystengcomm |
Volume |
17 |
Issue |
17 |
Pages |
6219-6226 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
Supported Fe2O3–TiO2 nanocomposites are fabricated by an original vapor phase synthetic strategy, consisting of the initial growth of Fe2O3 nanosystems on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition, followed by atomic layer deposition of TiO2 overlayers with variable thickness, and final thermal treatment in air. A thorough characterization of the target systems is carried out by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High purity nanomaterials characterized by the co-presence of Fe2O3 (hematite) and TiO2 (anatase), with an intimate Fe2O3–TiO2 contact, are successfully obtained. In addition, photocatalytic tests demonstrate that, whereas both single-phase oxides do not show appreciable activity, the composite systems are able to degrade methyl orange aqueous solutions under simulated solar light, and even visible light, with an efficiency directly dependent on TiO2 overlayer thickness. This finding opens attractive perspectives for eventual applications in wastewater treatment. |
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Wos |
000358915300018 |
Publication Date |
2015-07-23 |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1466-8033; |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
3.474 |
Times cited |
25 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
The research leading to these results has received funding from the FP7 project “SOLAROGENIX” IJNMP4-SL-2012- 310333), as well as from Padova University ex-60% 2012–2015 projects, grant no. CPDR132937/13 (SOLLEONE), and Regione Lombardia-INSTM ATLANTE projects. S. T. acknowledges the FWO Flanders for a post-doctoral scholarship. Thanks are also due to Prof. S. Mathur and Dr. Y. Gönüllü (Department of Chemistry, Cologne University, Germany) for their precious help and assistance in ALD depositions, and to Prof. E. Bontempi (Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Brescia University, Italy) for XRD analyses. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 3.474; 2015 IF: 4.034 |
Call Number |
c:irua:127237 |
Serial |
3531 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Warwick, M.E.A.; Kaunisto, K.; Barreca, D.; Carraro, G.; Gasparotto, A.; Maccato, C.; Bontempi, E.; Sada, C.; Ruoko, T.P.; Turner, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; |
Title |
Vapor phase processing of \alpha-Fe2O3 photoelectrodes for water splitting : an insight into the structure/property interplay |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2015 |
Publication |
ACS applied materials and interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
7 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
8667-8676 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
Harvesting radiant energy to trigger water photoelectrolysis and produce clean hydrogen is receiving increasing attention in the search of alternative energy resources. In this regard, hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanostructures with controlled nano-organization have been fabricated and investigated for use as anodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. The target systems have been grown on conductive substrates by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) and subjected to eventual ex situ annealing in air to further tailor their structure and properties. A detailed multitechnique approach has enabled to elucidate between system characteristics and the generated photocurrent. The present alpha-Fe2O3 systems are characterized by a high purity and hierarchical morphologies consisting of nanopyramids/organized dendrites, offering a high contact area with the electrolyte. PEC data reveal a dramatic response enhancement upon thermal treatment, related to a more efficient electron transfer. The reasons underlying such a phenomenon are elucidated and discussed by transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) studies of photogenerated charge carrier kinetics, investigated on different time scales for the first time on PE-CVD Fe2O3 nanostructures. |
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Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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Place of Publication |
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Language |
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Wos |
000353931300037 |
Publication Date |
2015-04-08 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244;1944-8252; |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
7.504 |
Times cited |
51 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
246791 Countatoms; Fwo |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 7.504; 2015 IF: 6.723 |
Call Number |
c:irua:126059 |
Serial |
3836 |
Permanent link to this record |