title: Compact hematite buffer layer as a promoter of nanorod photoanode performances.
abstract: The effect of a thin α-Fe2O3compact buffer layer (BL) on the photoelectrochemical performances of a bare α-Fe2O3nanorods photoanode is investigated. The BL is prepared through a simple spray deposition onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conducting glass substrate before the growth of a α-Fe2O3nanorods via a hydrothermal process. Insertion of the hematite BL between the FTO and the nanorods markedly enhances the generated photocurrent, by limiting undesired losses of photogenerated charges at the FTO||electrolyte interface. The proposed approach warrants a marked improvement of material performances, with no additional thermal treatment and no use/dispersion of rare or toxic species, in agreement with the principles of green chemistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 9-25131 Brescia, Italy.|CNR-INO SENSOR Laboratory, via Branze 45-25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milan
authors.affiliation: ICMATE-CNR, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cattarin
authors.affiliation: ICMATE-CNR, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Comisso
authors.affiliation: CNR-INO SENSOR Laboratory, via Branze 45-25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baratto
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 541, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaunisto
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 541, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Tkachenko
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 9-25131 Brescia, Italy.|CNR-INO SENSOR Laboratory, via Branze 45-25123 Brescia, Italy.|Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Concina