Work

Photoactivity Enhancement of WO3 Photoanodes Using the Combined Effect of Plasmonic Au and Photoluminescent Y2O3:Eu3+ Nanoparticles

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The WO 3 photoanode has great potential application for solar photoelectrochemical water oxidation due to suitable band edge positions with water oxidation potentials. However, it suffers from poor light absorbance in the visible region. Here, we use Eu 3+ -doped Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles (NPs) in combination with plasmonic gold (Au) NPs to better utilize and adsorb photons from UV and visible regions of sunlight. We attached plasmonic Au NPs on WO 3 to enhance the photocatalytic properties due to the plasmon resonance mechanism. Additional deposition of Y 2 O 3:Eu 3+ NPs on Au NPs/WO 3 improved the photoactivity of the photoanode further. Y 2 O 3:Eu 3+ NPs’ downconversion property, along with their light-scattering effect, converts ultraviolet-region photons into visible-region photons and enforces the plasmon resonance mechanism of Au NPs. Experimental results show the increase of absorbance, improvement of electron–hole separation, and enhancement in photocurrent generation of the resultant photoelectrode.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c05546

Authors: Alshyn Abduvalov, Kamila Zhumanova, Marat Kaikanov, Alexander Tikhonov

Institution: Nazarbayev University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935

Funder: Nazarbayev University