Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

The rapid, only a few minutes long synthesis of FeO, Fe3O4, and Fe2O3nanoparticles mixture utilizing the pulsedlaser ablation using simply pure iron target and water was demonstrated. The size and crystal phase of Fe-basedNPs were characterized using DLS and HR-TEM techniques, respectively. The metastable suspension of FeO,Fe3O4, and Fe2O3nanoparticles was used to the decoration of anodized TiO2nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) by means ofthe ultrasonic bath. SEM inspection confirms preservation of the ordered morphology even upon 60 min longexposition to the ultrasounds whereas TOF SIMS indicated penetration of iron species down to the TiO2-NTsbase. Finally, the electrochemical investigation of decorated and bare TiO2-NTs has shown a response typical forFe2+/Fe3+iron species and the boosted activity towards oxygen evolution reaction in the anodic regime. As ofhigh importance, for the 30 min long ultrasound-assisted modification, the photocurrent was enhanced almost2.5 times comparing to the pristine material exposed to the solar light, although differences in optical propertieswere negligible. Taking into account outstanding activity namely response upon irradiation and effectiveness ofwater splitting, the proposed approach can be regarded as a facile one generating much less waste in comparisonto typical wet-chemistry methods.

Authors

• Piotr Kupracz,
• Emerson Coy,
• Katarzyna Grochowska,
• dr hab. inż. Jakub Karczewski link open in new tab ,
• Jakub Rysz,
• Katarzyna Siuzdak