PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A PBTIO3-OXIDE PHOTOELECTRODE(PBOMIXED)

A new PbTiO3 + PbO photoelectrode system for a photoelectrochemical ce ll has been prepared from a mixture of beta-PbO2 and TiO2 by solid sta te sintering. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the mixt ure were determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microsc opy respectively, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis measurements we re used to establish the phases present. These studies reveal the phot oelectrode as a PbO-rich PbTiO3 mixed-phase oxide with high tetragonal ity and a crystalline nature. Mott-Schottky plots and photoelectrochem ical measurements, such as the action spectrum, I-V characteristics et c., of this mixed oxide were evaluated in 0.1 M Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) (pH 9 .2 buffer) redox electrolyte. These investigations suggest that the mi xed-oxide electrode exhibits n-type conductivity, a decreased band-gap energy and an enhanced absorption range in the visible region.