A Novel Synthesis Yielding Macroporous CaFe₂O₄ Sponges for Solar Energy Conversion

Title data

Blößer, André ; Timm, Jana ; Kurz, Hannah ; Milius, Wolfgang ; Hayama, Shusaku ; Breu, Josef ; Weber, Birgit ; Marschall, Roland:
A Novel Synthesis Yielding Macroporous CaFe₂O₄ Sponges for Solar Energy Conversion.
In: Solar RRL. Vol. 4 (2020) Issue 8 . - 1900570.
ISSN 2367-198X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.201900570

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Abstract in another language

Phase-pure and highly crystalline CaFe2O4 with sponge-like macropore structure was synthesized for the first time via facile solution-based microwave reaction and subsequent short thermal treatment. The formation mechanism of the orthorhombic phase (Pnma) and the pore network was investigated in detail and reveals a complex formation of this p-type semiconductor. SQUID magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy confirm the phase changes by altered magnetic properties. Furthermore, the optical and photoelectrochemical properties of the material were investigated. The material has a band gap of 1.9 eV and sufficient band positions for water splitting. Valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy was used to support the band positions obtained from Mott-Schottky analysis. Photocathodes prepared from macroporous CaFe2O4 generate photocurrents under illumination with light of up to 600 nm. This article is protected by copyright.