Structural, morphological and optical study of nanostructured TiO2/Fe2O3 thick film

Abstract

Thick films of nanostructured TiO2 (60 wt%) and alpha-Fe2O3 (40 wt%) were fabricated by screen printing technology on an alumina substrate. Samples were sintered in the temperature range 750-1350oC in air. Thick film paste was obtained by mixing anatase and hematite nanopowders in the ratio 3:2, an organic vehicle and binding glass frit. Structural, morphological and optical studies were carried out using XRD, SEM and EDS analysis and UV/Vis spectroscopy enabling correlation between optical and structural changes with the aim of applying the fabricated thick films as anodes in hotoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen generation and water splitting.