The Different Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Sintered and Flame‐Oxidized Fe2 O 3

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical properties of n‐type semiconducting ferric oxide were investigated using samples prepared by two different techniques. Electrodes were made by rapid flame oxidation of iron and from sintered ferric oxide. Particular attention was given to the transient photocurrents produced under pulsed illumination, the form of which is completely different for the two different types of electrode. Capacity measurements showed both types of electrodes to possess very low flatband potentials. Different models are discussed which can account for all the data, and the applicability of ferric oxide electrodes in semiconductor‐liquid junction solar cells is considered.