Nitrogen and cobalt co-doped zinc oxide nanowires – Viable photoanodes for hydrogen generation via photoelectrochemical water splitting ☆

摘要: Abstract Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has been considered as a promising and environmentally benign approach for efficient economic hydrogen generation by utilization of solar energy. Development semiconductor materials with low band gap, high photoelectrochemical activity stability particular interest viable PEC system. In this study, Co doped ZnO, .i.e., (Zn 0.95 0.05 )O nanowires (NWs) was selected the composition further co-doping nitrogen comparing to efficiency (SHE) ZnO NWs that various compositions 1−x x (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1). Furthermore, nanostructured vertically aligned N-doped )O:N (x = 0.05) have studied photoanodes splitting. An optimal SHE 1.39% highest reported so far best our knowledge based obtained co-doped NWs, (Zn0.95Co0.05)O:N - 600 generated at 600 °C in ammonia atmosphere. Further, )O:N-600 exhibited excellent under illumination compared pure NWs. These results suggest potential photoanode cell. Additionally, theoretical first principles study conducted explains beneficial effects N on both, electronic structure gap ZnO.