Empirical Analysis of the Photoelectrochemical Impedance Response of Hematite Photoanodes for Water Photo-oxidation

Dino Klotz, Daniel A. Grave, Hen Dotan, Avner Rothschild

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy (PEIS) is a useful tool for the characterization of photoelectrodes for solar water splitting. However, the analysis of PEIS spectra often involves a priori assumptions that might bias the results. This work puts forward an empirical method that analyzes the distribution of relaxation times (DRT), obtained directly from the measured PEIS spectra of a model hematite photoanode. By following how the DRT evolves as a function of control parameters such as the applied potential and composition of the electrolyte solution, we obtain unbiased insights into the underlying mechanisms that shape the photocurrent. In a subsequent step, we fit the data to a process-oriented equivalent circuit model (ECM) whose makeup is derived from the DRT analysis in the first step. This yields consistent quantitative trends of the dominant polarization processes observed. Our observations reveal a common step for the photo-oxidation reactions of water and H2O2 in alkaline solution.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1466-1472
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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