title: Exposure of WO3 Photoanodes to Ultraviolet Light Enhances Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.
abstract: Exposure of WO3 photoanodes to sustained irradiation by ultraviolet (UV) light induces a morphology change that enhances the photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A 30% enhancement in photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs RHE was measured despite a nominal change in onset potential. A structural and electrochemical analysis of the films before and after exposure to UV irradiation indicates that a higher film porosity and correspondingly higher specific surface area is responsible for the enhancement in PEC activity. The effect of prolonged UV irradiation on the WO3 films is fundamentally different to that which was previously observed for BiVO4 films.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia , 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T1Z1, Canada.
authors.forename: Tengfei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia , 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T1Z1, Canada.
authors.forename: Jingfu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia , 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T1Z1, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia , 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T1Z1, Canada.
authors.forename: Curtis P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Berlinguette
keywords: photoelectrocatalysis; solar energy; tungsten oxide; ultraviolet light; water splitting