A CoO_x-modified SnNb₂O₆ photoelectrode for highly efficient oxygen evolution from water

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photocatalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Solar water splitting is a key technology for renewable hydrogen production.
• Developing efficient and stable photoanodes is crucial for advancing this field.
• Tin niobium oxide (SnNb2O6) has emerged as a potential material for photoanode applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of SnNb2O6 as a photoanode for solar water splitting.
• To enhance the photoelectrochemical performance of SnNb2O6 by loading a cocatalyst.
• To evaluate the efficiency and stability of the modified photoanode.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of SnNb2O6 photoanodes.
• Loading of cobalt oxide (Cox) cocatalyst onto SnNb2O6.
• Photoelectrochemical measurements, including photocurrent and efficiency testing.
• Incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) and half-cell solar-to-hydrogen (HC-STH) measurements.

Main Results:

• Cobalt oxide cocatalyst-loaded SnNb2O6 exhibited a stable and high anodic photocurrent.
• Achieved an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 18% at 0.6 V-RHE.
• Demonstrated a half-cell solar-to-hydrogen (HC-STH) efficiency of 0.39% at 0.6 V-RHE.

Conclusions:

• SnNb2O6 is a promising candidate for photoanodes in solar water splitting.
• Cocatalyst loading, specifically with Cox, significantly improves the photoanodic performance.
• The enhanced SnNb2O6 photoanode demonstrates potential for efficient solar hydrogen production.