Highly efficient hematite films via mid-/ex-situ Sn-doping for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

Abstract In this study, we report the facile fabrication of Sn-doped hematite film via mid-situ and ex-situ doping methods for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances. The morphology of Sn-doped Fe 2 O 3 films was varied with Sn precursor in the mid-situ doping process. The addition of SnCl 2 rendered a smooth-surfaced and well-distributed nanorod morphology, but SnCl 4 gave a deformed nanorod structure covered with layered coalescence of SnO 2 particles. The former demonstrated much higher photoelectrochemical performances as photoanodes than the latter. The photocurrent can be further improved by surface modification with SnCl 4 through spin-coating method. The effects of Sn precursors on the morphology, surface characteristics and the PEC properties of the photoanodes are investigated.