Optical Absorption and Photoconversion Characteristics of WO₃ Nanofiber Photoanodes Prepared by Electrospinning with Different Calcination Temperatures

Abstract:

This study aims to synthesize and examine the optical and photoelectrochemical properties of tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanofibers prepared by electrospinning and calcination using different temperatures (500, 700, and 900 °C). The electrospinning solution contained a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 7.5% w/v) and ammonium metatungstate hydrate (AMH, 16.7% w/v). The morphology of WO₃ nanofibers was observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The absorbance of calcined WO₃ nanofibers was measured, and the data was used to calculate the optical band gap energy (E_g) through Tauc’s relation. The of calcined WO₃ nanofibers were found to be from 2.85 to 3.08 eV. The minimum value of was obtained from the sample calcined at 900 °C. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was employed in the photocurrent measurements under simulated AM 1.5G at 100 mW/cm² irradiance. The WO₃ nanofiber photoanode calcined at 900 °C exhibited the maximum photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.53%, a twice enhancement in PCE compared with those obtained from WO₃ nanofibers calcined at lower temperatures. This study suggests the potential pathway for the optimal synthesis of high performance nanostructured metal oxide electrodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 324)
• Pages: 103-108
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.324.103
• Online since: September 2021
• Authors: Ratchaneekorn Bojarus, Tienthong Yuangkaew, Thawach Thammabut, Mati Horprathum, Papot Jaroenapibal, Napat Triroj*
• Keywords: Calcination Temperatures, Electrospinning, Photoconversion, Water Splitting, WO₃ Nanofibers

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