Photoelectrochemical Properties of α-Fe₂O₃:Sn/CuFe₂O₄ Composite Nanorod Arrays as Photoanodes

Abstract

α-Fe 2 O 3 :Sn/CuFe 2 O 4 composite electrodes are prepared to improve the photoelectrochemical properties via a simple solution/heat treatment performed for α-Fe 2 O 3 :Sn nanorod electrodes on fluoride tin oxide glass substrates. Based on the characterizations and analysis of X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, it was found that a crystalline CuFe 2 O 4 phase for composite electrodes was formed after treatment. Compared to the bare α-Fe 2 O 3 :Sn electrode, significantly enhanced photocurrent density for α-Fe 2 O 3 :Sn/CuFe 2 O 4 composite electrodes was also found in the photoelectrochemical measurements because CuFe 2 O 4 has conduction and valence band edges shifted from those of Fe 2 O 3 , which allows for the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs at the α-Fe 2 O 3 :Sn/CuFe 2 O 4 interface.