Photoelectrochemical oxidation of water at transparent ferric oxide film electrodes

Thin film Fe2O3 photoanodes deposited onto conducting glass substrates were employed for the light-induced splitting of water. The effects of the employed precursor (inorganic or co-ordination compounds), dopants (Ti(IV) and Al(III)) and preparation conditions upon photoelectrochemical characteristics of the films are discussed. A photoelectrolysis cell including an arrangement of three thin film Fe2O3 photoanodes placed one behind another is shown to improve considerably the light harvesting efficiency.