Electrodeposited zirconium-doped α-Fe2O3 thin film for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Nanostructured hematite thin films were doped with zirconium successfully using electrodeposition method for their implementation as photoanode in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for hydrogen generation. XRD, Raman, XPS, SEM and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the thin films. Highest photocurrent density of 2.1 mA/cm2 at 0.6 V/SCE was observed for 2.0 at.% Zr4+ doped α-Fe2O3 sample with solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency of 1.43%. Flatband potential (−0.74 V/SCE) and donor density (2.6 × 1021 cm−3) were found to be maximum for the same sample. These results suggest substantial potential of hematite thin films with controlled doping of zirconium in PEC water splitting applications.