Abstract
Thin films of MgO-doped and CaO-doped iron oxide were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and voltasmetric techniques. The photo-electrochemical behavior of thin film electrodes depended greatly on the doping level, sintering temperature, substrate temperature and sintering time. Both the MgO and the CaO-doped iron oxide thin films prepared at high temperature showed p-type photoelectrochemical behavior, while the CaO-doped iron oxide thin films prepared at low temperature showed n-type photoelectrochemical behavior. This characteristic change was interpreted in terms of the surface structure change of the thin films and doping effect of metal oxide.
