Elevated temperature annealed α-Fe2O3/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite photoanode for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting properties of α-Fe 2 O 3 /reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (α-Fe 2 O 3 /rGO) and the significance of annealing temperature on the photoelectrochemical performance. The α-Fe 2 O 3 /rGO nanocomposite deposited on FTO substrate, using electrochemical deposition and annealed in atmospheric N 2 at 300, 500 and 700 °C. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The α-Fe 2 O 3 /rGO nanocomposites were used as photoanode materials in the PEC water splitting process. The results shows the reduced graphene oxide acts as an electron acceptor leading to an increase of availability of photo-generated electrons and hence higher PEC performance of α-Fe 2 O 3 /rGO nanocomposites compared to pure α-Fe 2 O 3 . The photoanode annealed at 700 °C shows the highest PEC performance.