Indium oxide-based metal oxides for overall water splitting via spray pyrolysis
Abstract
Due to continual increases in the global energy needs and a potential decrease in the future supplies of fossil fuels, alternative energy sources are required. Solar hydrogen in which sunlight is harnessed to split water into H2 fuel and O2 would serve as an excellent source of energy because it is renewable and produces no CO2. Semiconducting oxide materials have shown promise for overall water splitting for the generation of hydrogen. In this thesis, synthesis and evaluation of two transition metal oxide compound systems, SrCO3:In2O3 and SrTiO 3:In2O3, and their photoelectrochemical properties is described. Various properties of the synthesis of SrCO3:In 2O3 such as calcination temperature, film thickness, dopant concentration/source, and Sr:In molar ratio have been optimized to achieve the highest photocurrent under UV-Vis and visible irradiation. The results from investigations of these two metal oxide photocatalysts will allow for a better understanding of these materials and hopefully provide some insight into improving the use of semiconducting metal oxide photocatalysts for overall water splitting.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Raftery, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Physical chemistry
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