Ge-Doped Hematite with FeCoNi-B as Cocatalyst for High-Performing Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Hematite is a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water-splitting technology. However, the low current density associated with the low conductivity, low charge carrier mobility, and poor oxygen evolution catalytic activity is a challenging issue for the material. In this study, the challenge is addressed by introducing Germanium (Ge) doping, coupled with the use of FeCoNi-B as a co-catalyst. Ge doping not only increases the conductivity and charge carrier concentration of the hematite photoanode, but also induces nanopores, thereby expanding its electrochemical reactive surface area to facilitate the oxygen evolution reaction. In the meantime, the FeCoNi-B cocatalyst electrodeposited onto the surface of Ge-doped hematite, improves the oxygen evolution reaction performance. As a result, the obtained photoanode achieves a photocurrent density of 2.31 mA cm at 1.23 V, which is three times higher than that of hematite (0.72 mA cm). Moreover, a new analytical method is introduced to scrutinize both the positive and negative effects of Ge doping and FeCoNi-B cocatalyst on the photoanode performance by decoupling the photoelectrochemical process steps. Overall, this study not only enhances the performance of hematite photoanodes but also guides their rational design and systematic assessment.