Augmented photoelectrochemical response of CdS/ZnS quantum dots sensitized hematite photoelectrode |
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| Authors: | Sonal Sahai Ashi Ikram Snigdha Rai Rohit Shrivastav Sahab Dass Vibha R Satsangi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Physics and Computer Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, India;2. Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, India |
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| Abstract: | A visible light active and stable photoelectrode has been developed by depositing a passivating layer of ZnS QDs on CdS QDs sensitized hematite photoelectrode (Hematite‐CdS/ZnS) for PEC generation of hydrogen. Photoelectrochemical properties, in terms of stability and efficiency, have been investigated on the various hematite photoelectrodes sensitized with CdS QDs and CdS/ZnS QDs by varying number of SILAR cycles. I–V characteristics show that two layers of ZnS QDs deposited over three layers of CdS could enhance PEC response of hematite and efficiency by a factor of 3 and 11 respectively. Chronoamperometry measurement ensures that after adding a layer of ZnS QDs, CdS sensitized hematite film turns out to be a stable photoelectrode in the electrolyte. Prepared photoelectrodes have been characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM and UV–Vis spectrophotometer for various structural, morphological and optical properties to analyze PEC results. Mott–Schottky analysis and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements of sensitized hematite photoelectrode supported the improved PEC response of CdS/ZnS QDs sensitized hematite thin films. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | hematite photoelectrochemical quantum dots solar hydrogen |
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