Synthesis of mesoporous functional hematite nanofibrous photoanodes by electrospinning^†

Iron(III) oxide (hematite, Fe₂O₃) nanofibers, as visible light-induced photoanode for water oxidation reaction of a water splitting process, were fabricated through electrospinning method followed by calcination treatment. The prepared samples were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, and three-electrode galvanostat/potentiostat for evaluating their photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. The diameter of the as-spun fibers is about 300 nm, and calcinated fibers have diameter less than 110 nm with mesoporous structure. Optimized multilayered electrospun α-Fe₂O₃ nanostructure mats showed photocurrent density of 0.53 mA/cm² under dark and visible illumination conditions at voltage 1.23 V and constant intensity (900 mW/cm²). This photovoltaic performance of nanostructure mats makes it suitable choice for using in the PEC water splitting application as an efficient photoanode. This method, if combined with appropriate flexible conductive substrate, has the potential for producing flexible hematite solar fuel generators. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.