Annealing effect on the optical and photoelectrochemical properties of lead oxide

Effect of the annealing oxidation time of electrodeposited lead (Pb) on the phase formation of lead oxide (PbO) films is reported. The phase structure, optical properties, size and morphology of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy. The relationship between structur and photoelectrochemical properties was investigated. Thin films of PbO produced via air annealing of electrodeposited lead consist of a mixture of two phases, orthorhombic (o-PbO) and tetragonal (t-PbO), that determine the material properties and effectiveness as absorber layer in a photoelectrochemical device. The proportion of tetragonal t-PbO increases for longer heat treatments. After 40 h, the sample consists mainly of tetragonal t-PbO. The p-type semiconducting behavior of lead oxide was studied by photocurrent measurements. Different heat treatments yield variations in the ratio of tetragonal to orthorhombic lead oxide that effect on device performances, where devices with a higher content of tetragonal t-PbO show higher photocurrent than with the orthorhombic phase.