Semiconductor Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Photonic Crystals as a Model Photoelectrocatalytic Platform for Solar Light‐Driven Reactions
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(Published version)
Date
2024
Authors
Ngo, V.T.
Lim, S.Y.
Law, C.S.
Wang, J.
Hamza, M.A.
Abell, A.D.
Zhang, H.
Santos, A.
Editors
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Journal Title
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Journal article
Citation
Advanced Energy & Sustainability Research, 2024; 5(11):2400125-1-2400125-15
Statement of Responsibility
Van Truc Ngo, Siew Yee Lim, Cheryl Suwen Law, Juan Wang, Mahmoud Adel Hamza, Andrew D. Abell, Huayang Zhang, and Abel Santos
Conference Name
Abstract
In this study, nanoporous anodic alumina distributed-Bragg reflectors (NAA–DBRs) functionalized with tungsten trioxide (WO₃) are used as prototype photoelectrocatalysts (PEC) for harnessing the slow photon effect to maximize photon-to-electron conversion efficiency under UV–visible–NIR illumination. NAA–DBR structures are structurally engineered by anodization, where their characteristic photonic stopband is precisely tuned along specific positions of the UV–visible spectrum. Subsequent atomic layer deposition is employed to coat the inner surface of these porous structures with WO3 semiconductor layers. Upon the application of overpotential bias, these platforms reveal excellent electron–hole pair separation to boost photoelectrocatalytic reactions. Photoelectrochemical degradation of methylene blue is used as a model reaction to elucidate enhancements associated with structural and optoelectronic arrangements. Notably, precise spectral alignment between the photonic stopband's red edge and the absorbance band of methylene blue enhances the degradation performance through the slow photon effect. Applying an overpotential bias further improves the photodegradation performance through efficient charge separation. These systems outperform comparable structures in this model reaction, achieving a maximum kinetic rate of 13.7 ± 2.0 h⁻¹. The findings create new opportunities to develop high-performing PEC technologies harnessing light–matter interactions.
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Published online: October 7, 2024
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© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Grant ID
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP220102857
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1068087
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1068885
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LE130100168
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/CE140100003
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP180101581
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1068087
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1068885
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LE130100168
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/CE140100003
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP180101581