Photoelectrochemical properties of LaTiO2N electrodes prepared by particle transfer for sunlight-driven water splitting

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology for the production of renewable solar hydrogen from water. A method of fabricating photoelectrodes from semiconductor particles for efficient water splitting was investigated using LaTiO₂N as a test case. When a Ti conductor electrode with the back side covered with LaTiO₂N particles was constructed by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, the LaTiO₂N photoelectrode generated a remarkable photoanodic current and evolved O₂. The insertion of a Ta or Nb interlayer between the Ti conductor and the LaTiO₂N particles enhanced the photocurrent. This method of fabricating photoelectrodes from semiconductor particles enables the use of simple powder semiconductors in solar energy conversion systems.