Issue 42, 2024

A changeable critical state for a switchable photocurrent direction via the photo-electrochemical photocurrent polarity switching effect in BiFeO3 nanoparticulate films

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical photocurrent switching (PEPS) effect to change the photocurrent direction from cathodic to anodic via external bias is an important phenomenon. Specifically, tuning the critical state or the potential corresponding to a switchable photocurrent direction through easily controllable parameters is crucial for developing efficient photo-electrocatalyst systems. Although the PEPS effect has been reported in quite a few recently published studies, the changeable critical state has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, for the first time, we present a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system based on bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanoparticulate films that demonstrates a changeable critical state controlled via the composition of an electrolyte medium. In particular, the ionic strength (tuned via addition of inert salt) and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in an electrolyte medium are noted to dictate the potential corresponding to the critical state. Importantly, we demonstrate that this potential can be predicted using the Nernst equation by considering electrolyte energy level rearrangement and the kinetic theory of semiconductor electrodes. This study enhances the understanding of carrier transport in PEC activities and enables precise control over the reversal of the photocurrent direction that may pave the way for developing sophisticated multifunctional photoelectric devices and efficient photo-electrocatalyst systems.

Graphical abstract: A changeable critical state for a switchable photocurrent direction via the photo-electrochemical photocurrent polarity switching effect in BiFeO3 nanoparticulate films

Supplementary files

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
07 Jul 2024
Accepted
20 Sep 2024
First published
07 Oct 2024
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 17372-17379

A changeable critical state for a switchable photocurrent direction via the photo-electrochemical photocurrent polarity switching effect in BiFeO3 nanoparticulate films

Ajay, J. Saroha and P. P. Ingole, Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 17372 DOI: 10.1039/D4SC04504A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications, without requesting further permission from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given and it is not used for commercial purposes.

To request permission to reproduce material from this article in a commercial publication, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party commercial publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements