Preparation and Characterization of Doped $Fe_2O_3$ and GaAs Photosemiconductive Electrodes for $CO_2$ Fixation

The preparation and characterization of photosemiconductive electrodes of GaAs and of $Fe_2O_3$ doped with MgO or CaO were investigated. The doped $Fe_2O_3$ photosemiconductive electrodes were prepared from thin films sintered at temperatures from 1,100 to $1,450^{\circ}C$, and rapidly quenched in distilled water. The surfaces of the electrodes containing both corundum structure of $Fe_2O_3$ and spinel structure of $Mg_xFe_{3-x}O_4$ or $Ca_xFe_{3-x}O_4$ were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The cathodic and anodic photocurrents on these electrodes indicated a critical doping amount of 5-11 wt. %. The photocurrents were enhanced when GaAs electrodes were treated with methylene violet the anodic photo-currents were temporarial enhanced and changed to the cathodic ptotocurrents after the surface was dryed.