Text: Research for Innovation*
Photoelectrocatalysis is a mechanism for generating energy from semiconductors (materials capable of transporting energy) activated by sunlight or artificial light. Among the possible applications of this methodology – which has been called artificial photosynthesis – are the production of fuels, electricity and hydrogen, as well as the purification of water through the oxidation of undesirable substances.
Several studies in this area have been conducted in Functional Materials Development Center (CDMF) – a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (CEPID) from FAPESP based at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar).
Recent results were published in partnership with scientists from the State University of Piauí (Uespi) in Journal of Applied Electrochemistry.
The paper describes an easy method for preparing thin films of transition metal tungstate (AWO4) and the remarkable photoelectrochemical properties of the material.
The films were deposited on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate. Then, the material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, which indicated the presence of crystalline films. Images obtained by field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of nanostructured materials.
Furthermore, AWO4 films have been successfully used in a photoelectrochemical cell as a photoanode (cell component that uses sunlight to oxidize water molecules, releasing hydrogen and oxygen). According to the authors, therefore, the material showed potential to be used in water separation reactions and in other photoelectrocatalytic applications.
The article Transition metal tungstates AWO4 (A2+ = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) thin films and their photoelectrochemical behavior as photoanode for photocatalytic applications can be accessed at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10800-023-01851-w.