Studies on electrochemically constructed zinc oxide and zinc oxide-based composite electrodes with controlled nanoscale structures for use in solar energy conversion
Abstract
The need to produce energy more efficiently is a more pressing with depleting supply and increasing costs of crude oil sources. Solar energy is an abundant resource that can provide enough energy to meet current and future needs; however, more research is needed to develop efficient and economically viable devices capable of harnessing solar energy. This dissertation addresses the electrochemical synthesis of zinc oxide and zinc oxide composite materials. Zinc oxide is of interest because it is non-toxic, inexpensive and has wide applicability in solar energy conversion devices. The first part of this dissertation examines the construction and tuning of zinc oxide layered mesoporous materials. Mesoporous materials are of interest because the increased surface areas they provide show great promise for use in energy production devices, catalysis, and sensing applications. Our approach to developing semiconducting mesoporous features is to utilize the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules on the working electrode as templates for electrodeposition of the material of interest. The final mesoporous structure and orientation can be tuned by changing the length, the head group, or the mixture of surfactants used during deposition. This method is explored during both cathodic and anodic deposition of ZnO. The second part of this dissertation examines the enhancement of photoelectrochemical properties of polycrystalline ZnO films. By exploiting the preferential absorption of chloride ions on the basal facet of ZnO crystals, a selective deposition of Au nanoparticles only on the facet planes of ZnO was achieved during photo-assisted deposition. Additionally, photo-assisted deposition was used to decorate ZnO crystals with a cobalt based oxygen evolution catalyst. Photoelectrochemical properties of the ZnO films were enhanced with the individual addition of either system.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Choi, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Inorganic chemistry
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