Understanding the anatase-rutile phase junction in charge separation and transfer in a TiO₂ electrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

ABSTRACT: New insight into junction-based designs for efficient charge separation is vitally important for current solar energy conversion research. Herein, an anatase-rutile phase junction is elaborately introduced into TiO₂ films by rapid thermal annealing treatment and the roles of phase junction on charge separation and transfer are studied in detail. A combined study of transient absorption spectroscopy, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements reveals that appropriate phase alignment is essential for unidirectional charge transfer, and a junction interface with minimized trap states is crucial to liberate the charge separation potential of the phase junction. By tailored control of phase alignment and interface structure, an optimized TiO₂ film with an

SUBMITTER: Li A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6022233 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature