Graphical Abstract
![](https://wqketang.oss-cn-beijing.aliyuncs.com/zip-unzip/zip-315e6f48-273b-40b1-a379-d87fc14f6a47/nr-5-5-327/files/nr-5-5-327-FE1.jpg?Expires=1725757846&OSSAccessKeyId=STS.NSssK71aLjDMY9SbRgGRGskMT&Signature=%2BMet7nH1C6Fn8JCeV2XY2a9sQ2Q%3D&security-token=CAISywJ1q6Ft5B2yfSjIr5DGOPGD3L5t3YamWx%2FihlIyS91rnK7mtjz2IHtKenhsBOsbtfk1mG5W5%2FgZlqJ9SptIAEfJa9d99Myjb%2F9FltCT1fau5Jko1beHewHKeTOZsebWZ%2BLmNqC%2FHt6md1HDkAJq3LL%2Bbk%2FMdle5MJqP%2B%2FUFB5ZtKWveVzddA8pMLQZPsdITMWCrVcygKRn3mGHdfiEK00he8TouufTinpHMskGA1Aell7Mvyt6vcsT%2BXa5FJ4xiVtq55utye5fa3TRYgxowr%2Fwo0v0YpGya5YzHXwcPskvdKZbo78UqLQlla6w%2BGqFJqvPxr%2Fp8t%2Fx5fWJKAezhVgs8cVM8JOjIqKOscIsixo262SmqFV55c8Fdm%2BgUooJVgIMhTnduUfAPJAGOxzJitP%2BUVGGphr60TEnBL4rB5MUctfzRpwT64j3UTzDnGoABhFRSspTLrn9GrEN9pQYzC6eepGdfWDQh3fr5hA1VnwVUJMCz%2BNQEDWKceF%2FnEjWVMtfbvqYxuyhSCmIMMyh5bEREEKEiD%2BFVv4ZfsqnV7hQy5w6HhIkN8kZzP6L0zPvPgkBLOtdMDeDxhf8dVPrCSG4etXHjxcwUaRVb3ZR7Yu8gAA%3D%3D)
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Hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanorod films with their surface tuned by W6+ doping have been investigated as oxygen-evolving photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements have been performed on the undoped and W6+-doped α-Fe2O3 nanorod films. W6+ doping is found to primarily affect the photoluminescence properties of α-Fe2O3 nanorod films. Comparisons are drawn between undoped and W6+-doped α-Fe2O3 nanorod films, WO3 films, and α-Fe2O3-modified WO3 composite electrodes. A close correlation between dopant concentration, photoluminescence intensity, and anodic photocurrent was observed. It is suggested that W6+ surface doping promotes charge transfer in α-Fe2O3 nanorods, giving rise to the enhanced PEC performance. These results suggest surface tuning via ion doping should represent a viable strategy to further improve the efficiency of α-Fe2O3 photoanodes.
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