Nanostructured hematite: synthesis, characterization, charge carrier dynamics, and photoelectrochemical properties

• DOI: 10.1039/c2ee00001f
• Publication Date: 2012-04-17T08:33:44Z
• Authors: Damon A. Wheeler; Gongming Wang; Yichuan Ling; Yat Li; Jin Z. Zhang
• Keywords: Charge carrier; Characterization

As one of the most prevalent metal oxides on Earth, iron oxide, especially α-Fe2O3 or hematite, has been subject intense research for several decades. In particular, combination a relatively small bandgap and related visible light absorption, natural abundance, low cost, stability under deleterious chemical conditions made it ideal many potential applications. However, short charge carrier lifetime diffusion length limited its applicability. Nanostructures hematite offer possibility overcoming some limitations through control structures thereby optical electronic properties. this review, we provide an overview recent progress synthesis characterization nanostructured with emphasis dynamics photoelectrochemical Both current challenges future opportunities are also discussed.