Metal oxide and metal carbides thin films for photo/electrochemical water splitting studies

Saim Emin (Author)

Abstract

We used wet-chemistry techniques to prepare colloidal tungsten (W) nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesis of W NPs was conducted using the so called hot-matrix method in 1-octadecene [1]. The sizes of obtained W NPs are in the order of 2 - 5 nm. These W NPs are coated with hydrophobic molecules which allow their dispersion in organic solvents like choloroform (CHCl3). It was found that the colloidal stability of the dispersions is exceptionally high exceeding several years. The stability of W NPs which prevents coagulation allows the preparation of thin films with uniform thicknesses by spin-coating, inkjet-printing and spray coating. We have prepared both tungsten trioxide (WO3) and tungsten carbide (W2C, WC) thin films. The preparation of WO3 thin films was achieved by spin-coating of W NPs on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates and following thermal treatment in air at 500°C. The preparation of W2C and WC were done after spin-coating of W NPs on graphite substrate and following heat treatment under Ar atmosphere at 1000 and 1450°C. The obtained WO3 and W2C (e.g WC) films were used both in photo/electrochemical water splitting studies. In conclusion, we have developed a procedure for the synthesis of W NPs which can be used for the preparation of different class of materials for water splitting studies.

Keywords

metal oxides;metal carbides;tungsten nanoparticles;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2017
Typology:	1.12 - Published Scientific Conference Contribution Abstract
Organization:	UNG - University of Nova Gorica
UDC:	53
COBISS:	4927739
Views:	4466
Downloads:	0
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
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Other data

URN:	URN:SI:UNG
Type (COBISS):	Not categorized
Pages:	Str. 120
ID:	10869494