A tri-metallic (Mn-Co-Ti) oxide photoanode with improved photo-conversion efficiency

• Main Authors: Mansoor, Muhammad Adil, Hamzah, Khafidz., Naeem, Rabia, Zubir, Mohd Nashrul Bin Mohd, Yahaya, Nur Azirah, Yusof, F. B., Rozali, Shaifulazuar Bin, Aspanut, Zarina Binti, Ming, Hainan
• Format: Article
• Published: Interperiodica 2021
• Subjects: QD Chemistry
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/34227/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

In extension to our previous work, studies have been conducted to illustrate the effect of incorporation of Co2O3 on photo-conversion efficiency of Mn2O3-4TiO(2) composite thin films. Therefore, the bimetallic crystal Mn2Ti4(TFA)(8)(THF)(6)(OH)(4)(O)(2)].0.4THF (1) was mixed with Co(OAc)(2) to fabricate Mn2O3-Co2O3-4TiO(2) (MCT) thin films via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) method. The thin films were properly characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy to evaluate their crystalline structure, chemical composition, topography, surface roughness and band gaps. Finally, the films were subjected to record their photo-electrochemical response in terms of Linear Scan Voltammetry (LSV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) using 0.5 M NaOH electrolyte solution. A photocurrent density of 4.91 mA cm(-2) was observed at 0.65 V vs Ag/AgCl/3M KCl with a promising photo conversion efficiency of 2.86%. Furthermore, impedance studies revealed a decrease in charge transfer resistance (R-ct) from 123.79 to 56.43 ohm under illumination conditions.