Neodymium (Nd) based oxide perovskite nanostructures for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting functions.

Neodymium (Nd) based perovskite (Nd1-xCoxFeO3) nanostructures were processed to address the rising energy and environment crisis through offering solutions by photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting reactions. The impact of cobalt (Co) ions on the physicochemical properties of Nd-perovskites were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and electron microscopic instruments. The interaction of metal ions was studied in depth via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Absorption and photoluminescence signals inferred the optical band gap to be lowered and defect states to increase upon Co substitution. Improved photocatalytic efficacy in Nd1-xCoxFeO3 was evaluated by comparative studies using NdFeO3. Secondly, the enhanced conductivities in Nd1-xCoxFeO3 studied via Nyquist plot was found to be advantageous in photoelectrode fabrication for PEC functions. Time-dependent photocurrent density results affirmed the stability in processed devices. Co ions were also inferred to boost the separation of charge carriers effectively. The improved performance in Nd1-xCoxFeO3 nanostructures were well justified to the successful incorporation of Co ions that sway the Nd-O, Co-O and Co-Fe-O bondings and boost the photon absorption and electronic conductivity to facilitate the observed performance.