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Photoelectrochemical setup
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| Schematic approach for the synthesis, evaluation and characterization of the photoactive materials. |
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Solar hydrogen conversion represents a potentially limitless energy source that would revolutionize our approach to energy. However, the discovery of new, more efficient photocatalysts for water splitting is still very challenging. Wide band-gap semiconductors, such as TiO2 (3.2 eV) are promising materials due to their good stability and catalytic activity, but their poor visible light absorption represents a major problem. The band gap requirement for a water splitting material is between 1.23 and 3.0 eV. To reduce the band-gap, anion-doped (C, N, or P) materials are prepared in our lab, can either substitute for oxygen in the crystal lattice or be present in interstitial sites. In order to develop better materials for solar energy applications, in-depth photoelectrochemical (PEC) evaluation and characterization of anion-doped metal oxide materials is being conducted.
Our group focuses on the evaluation of anion doped TiO2, In2O3 and WO3. We synthesize these materials by spray pyrolysis or doctor blading to produce thin films or by evaporation of a sol-gel solution to produce powders. The materials are evaluated by either PEC response for thin films or H2 generation for powders. Additionally the materials are characterized by the following techniques: XRD, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Solid State NMR, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.
[More on Solar Hydrogen Conversion- ]
[Syringe Pumps by Chemyx Inc and Harvard Apparatus are used for spraying the materials onto the FTO substrates.]
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3-electrode PEC illuminated with a sunlight simulator.
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| Air sensitive materials, like Tungsten powder, are stored in the glove box. |
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