Optically Transparent Conducting SnO2 Films as Semiconductor Medium for Photoanodes in PEC Cells
摘要
Metal oxide semiconductor nanoparticles represent a promising class of semiconductor substrates for various chemical architectures, particularly in photoelectrochemical cells. Nonetheless, their practical application in photocatalysis is frequently impeded by nanoscale particle aggregation, predominantly driven by van der Waals interactions. To overcome this limitation, the introduction of electrostatic repulsive forces among nanoparticles has been demonstrated to effectively reduce aggregation. In this study, tin oxide nanoparticles were effectively synthesized using SnCl4.5H2O as the precursor. The resultant nanoparticles, initially in a wet suspension, were converted into an optically transparent dispersion by adding HCl and the polar protic solvent methanol. This transparent dispersion was subsequently used to fabricate transparent photoanodes by drop-casting onto FTO substrates. The visible-light-to-photocurrent efficiency of the photoanodes was assessed by sensitizing them with tin porphyrins, which served as photosensitizers. These films are anticipated to enhance photon absorption because of the absence of light scattering in the coated transparent nanoparticles.