Preparation and characterization of a PbTiO<SUB>3</SUB> + PbO mixed-oxide photoelectrode

A new PbTiO3 + PbO photoelectrode system for a photoelectrochemical cell has been prepared from a mixture of &#946;-PbO2 and TiO2 by solid state sintering. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the mixture were determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy respectively, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis measurements were used to establish the phases present. These studies reveal the photoelectrode as a PbO-rich PbTiO3 mixed-phase oxide with high tetragonality and a crystalline nature. Mott-Schottky plots and photoelectrochemical measurements, such as the action spectrum, I-V characteristics etc., of this mixed oxide were evaluated in 0.1 M Fe(CN)3-/4-6 (pH 9.2 buffer) redox electrolyte. These investigations suggest that the mixed-oxide electrode exhibits n-type conductivity, a decreased band-gap energy and an enhanced absorption range in the visible region