Unlocking the potential of hematite photoanodes in acidic electrolytes: Boosting performance with ultra-small IrOx nanoparticles for efficient water splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a promising route for harnessing solar energy to produce clean hydrogen fuel sustainably. A major hurdle has been boosting the performance of photoanode materials within acidic electrolytes—a critical aspect for advancing PEC technology. In response to this challenge, we report a method to augment the efficacy of hematite photoanodes under acidic conditions by anchoring IrO_x nanoparticles, replete with hydroxyl groups, onto their surface. A remarkable and steady photocurrent density of 1.71 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V versus RHE was achieved, marking a significant leap in PEC efficiency of hematite in acidic media. The introduction of the IrO_x layer notably expanded the electrochemically active surface area for more active sites, fostering improved charge separation and transfer. It also served as an effective hole capture layer, drawing photogenerated holes from hematite to facilitate swift migration to the active sites for the water oxidation process. This advancement has the potential to fully harness the capabilities of hematite photoanodes in acidic environments, thereby smoothing the path toward more effective and sustainable hydrogen production through PEC water splitting.