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2024 Vol.34, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Paper

TiO2 Thin Film Growth Research to Improve Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Efficiency

TiO2 박막 성장에 의한 광전기화학 물분해 효율 변화

Seong Gyu Kim1*
,
Yu Jin Jo1*
,
Sunhwa Jin1*
,
Dong Hyeok Seo2
,
Woo-Byoung Kim12†
김 성규1*
,
조 유진1*
,
진 선화1*
,
서 동혁2
,
김 우병12†
1Department of Energy Engineering, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
2Department of Foundry Engineering, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
1단국대학교 에너지공학과
2단국대학교 파운드리공학과
†Corresponding author E-Mail : woo7838@dankook.ac.kr (W.-B. Kim, Dankook Univ.)
*These three authors are equally contributed as first authors.
27 April 2024. pp. 202-207
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Abstract

In this study, we undertook detailed experiments to increase hydrogen production efficiency by optimizing the thickness of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films. TiO2 films were deposited on p-type silicon (Si) wafers using atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. The main goal was to identify the optimal thickness of TiO2 film that would maximize hydrogen production efficiency while maintaining stable operating conditions. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the TiO2 films of different thicknesses were evaluated using open circuit potential (OCP) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) analysis. These techniques play a pivotal role in evaluating the electrochemical behavior and photoactivity of semiconductor materials in PEC systems. Our results showed photovoltage tended to improve with increasing thickness of TiO2 deposition. However, this improvement was observed to plateau and eventually decline when the thickness exceeded 1.5 nm, showing a correlation between charge transfer efficiency and tunneling. On the other hand, LSV analysis showed bare Si had the greatest efficiency, and that the deposition of TiO2 caused a positive change in the formation of photovoltage, but was not optimal. We show that oxide tunneling-capable TiO2 film thicknesses of 1~2 nm have the potential to improve the efficiency of PEC hydrogen production systems. This study not only reveals the complex relationship between film thickness and PEC performance, but also enabled greater efficiency and set a benchmark for future research aimed at developing sustainable hydrogen production technologies.

Keywords
titanium dioxide thin film
film thickness
photoelectrochemical properties
hydrogen production efficiency
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Information
  • Publisher :Materials Research Society of Korea
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Materials Research
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재료학회지
  • Volume : 34
  • No :4
  • Pages :202-207
  • Received Date : 2024-03-11
  • Revised Date : 2024-03-26
  • Accepted Date : 2024-03-26
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.3740/MRSK.2024.34.4.202
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