Maabong, KelebogileHu, YelinBraun, ArturMachatine, Augusto Gonçalo JoseDiale, M. (Mmantsae Moche)2016-09-122016-06Maabong, K, Hu, Y, Braun, A, Machatine, AGJ & Diale, M 2016, 'Influence of anodization time on the surface modifications on α-Fe2O3 photoanode upon anodization', Journal of Materials Research, vol. 31, no. 11, pp. 1580-1587.0884-2914 (print)2044-5326 (online)10.1557/jmr.2016.53http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56720In searching for a suitable semiconductor material for hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting, α-Fe2O3 received significant attention as a promising photoanode due to its band gap (∼2.1 eV), good stability, low cost, and natural occurrence. α-Fe2O3 thin films were prepared by economic and facile dip coating method and subsequently subjected to an anodic potential of 700 mV versus Ag/AgCl in 1M KOH for different anodization times (1, 10, and 900 min) under illumination. X-ray diffractometry revealed increase in crystallites size from ∼31 nm for nanoparticles in pristine state to ∼38 and 44 nm after anodization for 1 and 900 min, respectively. A clear positive correlation between anodization time and grain (particle) size was observed from field emission gun scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM); longer exposure time to anodizing conditions resulted in larger grains. Grain size increased from ∼57.9 nm in pristine state to ∼153.5 nm after anodization for 900 min. A significant smoothening of the surface with increase in anodization time was evident from AFM analysis.en© Materials Research Society 2016Crystallographic structureGain sizeMorphologyPostprint Article