Photoelectrochemical properties of BiOCl microplatelets

Stephenson, Julie, Celorrio, Veronica, Tiwari, Devendra, Hall, Simon R., Green, David C. and Fermín, David J. (2018) Photoelectrochemical properties of BiOCl microplatelets. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 819. pp. 171-177. ISSN 1572-6657

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.10.024

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.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Funding information: J.S. thanks the School of Chemistry for awarding a PhD Studentship funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (Grant number 1247175). V.C. gratefully acknowledges the Royal Society and the UK National Academy for the support through the Newton Fellowship program (NF120002). D.T. and D.J.F. are indebted to EPSRC for financial support through the PVTEAM programme (EP/L017792). V.C. and D.J.F. also acknowledge the EPSRC support via the UK Catalysis Hub (EP/K014706/1 and EP014714/1). Electron microscopy studies were performed with equipment funded by EPSRC through the grant “Atoms to Applications” (EP/K035746/1).
Subjects: F200 Materials Science
H800 Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering
Depositing User: Rachel Branson
Date Deposited: 23 May 2022 14:57
Last Modified: 23 May 2022 15:00
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/49173

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