The “Rust” Challenge: On the Correlations between Electronic Structure, Excited State Dynamics, and Photoelectrochemical Performance of Hematite Photoanodes for Solar Water Splitting

Abstract

In recent years, hematite's potential as a photoanode material for solar hydrogen production has ignited a renewed interest in its physical and interfacial properties, which continues to be an active field of research. Research on hematite photoanodes provides new insights on the correlations between electronic structure, transport properties, excited state dynamics, and charge transfer phenomena, and expands our knowledge on solar cell materials into correlated electron systems. This research news article presents a snapshot of selected theoretical and experimental developments linking the electronic structure to the photoelectrochemical performance, with particular focus on optoelectronic properties and charge carrier dynamics.

Hematite is a promising photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The main challenges toward achieving efficient hematite photoanodes are reviewed. Particular focus is placed on linking the electronic structure to the processes of light absorption, charge transport, and the surface electrochemical reaction. The main losses are identified and discussed, while promising avenues for future research are highlighted.

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