Photoelectrochemical properties of BiOCl microplatelets.
11 November 2017
Abstract
The photoelectrochemical properties of highly crystalline and phase-pure BiOCl microplatelets synthesised via a room temperature ionic liquid method are reported. X-ray crystallography reveals a tetragonal BiOCl phase, while high resolution electron microscopy shows sheet-like structures with a cross section of approximately 5 μm and thickness in the range of 500 nm. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy shows a direct bandgap transition at 3.34 eV.
Electrochemical measurements of as-prepared BiOCl powders deposited onto fluorine-doped tin oxide electrodes show a sharp cathodic current at − 0.10 V vs RHE at pH 10, which is linked to electron injection into the conduction band edge. Photoelectrochemical measurements in the presence of Na2SO3 as hole-acceptor in solution exhibit a strong potential dependence, switching from cathodic to anodic photocurrents at potentials around 0.70 V vs RHE. The positive photocurrent is associated with SO32 − oxidation, while the unexpected negative photocurrents are linked to cathodic material decomposition.
Citation
Stephenson, J., Celorrio, V., Tiwari, D., Hall, S.R., Green, D.C. and Fermín, D.J., 2017. Photoelectrochemical properties of BiOCl microplatelets. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry.
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Category: Material & Chemical