Facile synthesis and characterisation of functional MoO₃ photoanode with self-photorechargeability
Date
2020
Authors
Chot, C.Y.
Chong, M.N.
Soh, A.K.
Tan, K.W.
Ocon, J.D.
Saint, C.
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Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2020; 838(155624):1-9
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Abstract
There is a growing research interest in exploring the self-photo rechargeability of photoanodes, which enables photo electrochemical (PEC) water oxidation even under non-irradiated conditions. The main aim of this study was to develop a facile synthesis of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) photoanode displaying self-photo rechargeability using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AA-CVD) method. A systematic optimisation of the key synthesis parameters of AA-CVD method, namely: (1) ultrasonication time of precursor solution, and (2) annealing temperature was carried out in order to understand the best trade-off between photo current density (illuminated conditions) and charge density (non-illuminated conditions). Field emission-scanning electron microscopy images showed that the MoO3 photoanodes synthesized via AA-CVD method exhibited a 3D plate-like crystalline structure that gave a large voltammogram area, indicating that the MoO3 photoanodes possessed high charge storage capacity for photo generated electrons. PEC measurements showed that the optimised MoO3 photoanode obtained during an ultrasonication time of 25 min and at the annealing temperature of 500 °C achieved a photo current density of 1.47 μA/cm2 at 1.0 V vs Pt electrode. A significantly prolonged on-off illumination cycle (i.e. 1000 s) showed a significant storage capacity of photo generated electrons within the 3D plate-like MoO3 crystalline structure was discharged during the non-irradiated conditions, and a charge density of 0.35 mC/cm2.
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Copyright 2020 Elsevier