International Journal of Energy Research

Volume 46, Issue 12 pp. 17465-17477

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of porous anodic SnO_x films by adjusting electrosynthesis conditions

Karolina Gawlak,

Corresponding Author

Karolina Gawlak

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-6205-2178

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Correspondence

Leszek Zaraska, Karolina Gawlak, Department of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Aleksandra Knapik,

Aleksandra Knapik

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

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Grzegorz D. Sulka,

Grzegorz D. Sulka

orcid.org/0000-0001-7431-617X

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

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Leszek Zaraska,

Corresponding Author

Leszek Zaraska

orcid.org/0000-0002-5330-7191

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Correspondence

Leszek Zaraska, Karolina Gawlak, Department of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Karolina Gawlak,

Corresponding Author

Karolina Gawlak

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-6205-2178

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Correspondence

Leszek Zaraska, Karolina Gawlak, Department of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Aleksandra Knapik,

Aleksandra Knapik

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

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Grzegorz D. Sulka,

Grzegorz D. Sulka

orcid.org/0000-0001-7431-617X

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

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Leszek Zaraska,

Corresponding Author

Leszek Zaraska

orcid.org/0000-0002-5330-7191

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Correspondence

Leszek Zaraska, Karolina Gawlak, Department of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 24 July 2022

https://doi.org/10.1002/er.8414

Citations: 4

Funding information: Narodowe Centrum Nauki, Grant/Award Number: 2016/23/N/ST5/01579; National Science Centre, Poland

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Summary

A comprehensive characterization of photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the nanoporous tin oxide (SnO_x) films of different thicknesses and complex internal morphology is presented. Nanoporous SnO_x layers were obtained by one-step anodic oxidation (anodization) of Sn foil in 1 M NaOH. Semiconducting films with a uniform diameter of ca. 50 nm were grown if the potential of 4 V was applied during anodization, and the layers with different thicknesses were synthesized by changing the duration of the process. Switching the potential between 2 and 4 V allows the formation of anodic films with segments of different channel diameters. The optimal anodizing duration for layers with uniform channels was found to be 50 minutes, which corresponds to the thickness of SnO_x film of slightly above 6 μm. In the case of layers with segments of different channel diameters, the segment arrangement was found to be crucial for optimal PEC performance. Layers with the segment of narrower channels being in the contact with the current collector were found to exhibit enhanced photoelectrochemical performance compared to their counterparts with an opposite segment arrangement. This was mainly attributed to the favorable band arrangement facilitating the transfer of the photogenerated electrons to the external circuit as well as enhanced adhesion of the anodic SnO_x layer to the current collector.

Highlights

Nanoporous SnO_x films were synthesized electrochemically.
Layers with various morphologies were studied as photoanodes.
The optimal thickness of anodic SnO_x was found to be 6 μm.
Enhanced PEC performance was observed for multisegment anodic films.
The segment arrangement is crucial for optimal PEC performance.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of porous anodic SnO_x films by adjusting electrosynthesis conditions

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Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of porous anodic SnOx films by adjusting electrosynthesis conditions

Summary

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CONFLICT OF INTEREST

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

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Improving the photoelectrochemical performance of porous anodic SnO_x films by adjusting electrosynthesis conditions