Investigation of Solar Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation Ability of Ferrites for Energy Production

Abstract:

Ferrites have been predicted to be potential material for photo catalytic and photo electrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation under visible light photons. The article briefly reviews, as well as compares the supremacy of ferrites over titanates and sulfides with respect to their photo-electro catalytic hydrogen producing ability. It shows that though the band energetic of a material plays a vital role to induce the photo-splitting of water; but its optical structure, at the first instance is very important to utilize it to absorb the visible light photons. Among all the PEC materials, the low-band gap ferrites (Fe-d orbital) favor absorption of visible light photons; at the same time offer an advantage of being an eco-friendly material system. A specific focus is given to the single phase, nanostructure and composite forms of typical ZnFe₂O₄ system. Though a concise report, but also throws light on the importance and tunability of PEC properties.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 764)
• Pages: 97-115
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.764.97
• Online since: July 2013
• Authors: Rekha Dom, Hyun Gyu Kim, Pramod Borse
• Keywords: Ferrites, Hydrogen Energy, Photoanode, Photoelectrochemical, Solar

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