Universität zu Köln

Pires, Fabio A. ORCID: 0000-0001-6762-2910, Karimpour, Touraj ORCID: 0009-0003-9589-8588, Patrun, David ORCID: 0009-0004-2281-7676, Fischer, Thomas ORCID: 0000-0002-8363-9613, Souza, Flavio L. ORCID: 0000-0003-2036-9123 and Mathur, Sanjay ORCID: 0000-0003-2765-2693 (2026). Field‐Directed Growth of Hematite for Advanced Solar Hydrogen Production. Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, 7 (1). Wiley. ISSN 2699-9412

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: e202500313] Interplay of magnetic susceptibility and vapor phase nucleation in magnetic field‐assisted chemical vapor deposition (mf‐CVD) enables precise control over phase evolution, crystallographic orientation, and surface texturing in metal oxide thin films. The synthesis of hematite (α‐Fe 2 O 3 ) thin films via chemical vapor deposition using [Fe 2 (O t Bu) 6 ] as a molecular precursor is reported. Applying an external magnetic field (1 T) during deposition significantly alters the microstructure of the hematite films, reflected in superior photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. Relative to zero‐field deposition, mf‐CVD increased the photocurrent density of hematite by 74%, attributed to magnetically induced texturing and densification, both enhancing charge separation and transfer efficiencies. Magnetic field‐assisted hematite growth also increases the electrochemically active surface area, while a 33 mV photovoltage gain suggests a stronger built‐in electric field in the α‐Fe 2 O 3 ‐1 T film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further confirms a reduced surface state density supporting improved interfacial charge dynamics. Furthermore, the magnetically altered material exhibits remarkable stability for 100 h of PEC operation. The results highlight hematite as a model photoanode for elucidating how magnetic fields modulate active domains in metal oxides, offering an innovative process to transform materials through applied fields.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Pires, Fabio A. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6762-2910 UNSPECIFIED Karimpour, Touraj UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9589-8588 UNSPECIFIED Patrun, David UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2281-7676 UNSPECIFIED Fischer, Thomas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8363-9613 UNSPECIFIED Souza, Flavio L. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2036-9123 UNSPECIFIED Mathur, Sanjay UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2765-2693 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-800937
Identification Number:	10.1002/aesr.202500313
Journal or Publication Title:	Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research
Volume:	7
Number:	1
Number of Pages:	11
Date:	23 January 2026
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	2699-9412
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Institute of Inorganic Chemistry
Subjects:	Chemistry and allied sciences
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80093