Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/Ni(OH)2 photoanodes for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting and urea oxidation

In this manuscript, we propose to produce and characterize a photoelectrodes based on hematite Fe2O3/Ni(OH)2, without hazardous chemical substances (non-CMR substances) and no ozone emanation in handmade photocell. Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/Ni(OH)2 photoanodes were synthesis by hydrothermal method, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energydispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) analysis. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances of the Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/Ni(OH)2 films was examined by linear sweep voltammetry techniques, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, which confirm that the highest photocurrent about 0.344 mA/cm2 at 0.5 V vs Hg/HgO was obtained for the Fe2O3/Ni(OH)2 photoanode in 0.1 M urea than 0.09 mA/cm2 without urea. Result provided in this work can provide an imperative guideline for the design of efficient photocatalysis application using Fe2O3/Ni(OH)2 for photoelectrochemical urea conversation.