Ferroelectric Relaxor Behaviour in Some Lead- Free Compositions and their Potential Applications as Photocatalyst to Hydrogen Production

Authors: A. Kerfah, K. Taïbi, S. Omeiri, M. Trari.

Abstract:

New lead-free ferroelectric relaxor ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis in the BaTiO3-Bi2O3- Y2O3 systems. Some of these ceramics present a ferroelectric relaxor with transition temperature close to room temperature. These new materials are very interesting for applications and can replace leadbased ceramic to prevent the toxic pollutions during the preparation state. In the other hand, the energy band diagram shows the potentiality of these compounds for the solar energy conversion. Thus, some compositions have been tested successfully for H2 production upon visible light. The best activity occurs in alkaline media with a rate evolution of about 0.15 mL g-1 mn-1 and a quantum yield of 1% under polychromatic light.

Keywords: Ferroelectric, Hydrogen production, Lead-free, Photocatalysis.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1074449

References:

[1] L.E. Cross, Ferroelectrics, 151(1994)305.
[2] K. Uchino, ferroelectrics, 151(1994)321.
[3] Y.Yang, Y. Suna, Y.Jiang, Materials Chemistry and Physics 96 (2006) 234-239.
[4] J. Ravez and A. Simon, C.R Acad. Sci. Paris, t 325, 1997; série IIb; 481- 486.
[5] J. Ravez and A. Simon, J. Korean Phys. Soc., 32 (1998)S955-S956.
[6] J. Ravez and A. Simon, Eur. Phys. J. AP, 2000; 11; 9-13.
[7] Z. Li, Y. Wang, J. Liu, G. Chen, Y. Li, C. Zhou, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 34 (2009) 147 - 152.
[8] Y.Huang, Y.Wei, S. Cheng, L.Fan, Y.Li, J.Lin, J.Wun (in press)
[9] J.W. Liu, G. Chen, Z.H. Li, Z.G. Zhang, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 179 (2006) 3704-3708.
[10] L. Djellal, A. Bouguelia, M. Kadi Hanifi, M. Trari, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 92 (2008) 594-600.
[11] D. Viehland, S. Jang and L.E. Cross, J. Appl. Phys., 68(1990)2916.
[12] A. E. Glazounov, A. K.Tagantsev, Appl. Phys. Lett., 73(1998)856-858.