Abstract
Zinc lanthanum tantalum oxynitride [ZnLaTaON
2
] powders were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction. ZnLaTaON
2
photoelectrodes were prepared by electrophoretic deposition of ZnLaTaON
2
suspension in acetone onto ITO substrate. The photoelectrodes of ZnLaTaON
2
were established to reveal photoelectrochemical properties for water oxidation reaction. Moreover, a cobalt phosphate (Co-Pi) was loaded on ZnLaTaON
2
photoelectrodes via photodeposition method to enhance the photoelectrochemical water oxidation performances. Photocurrent voltage characteristics of the Co-Pi/ZnLaTaON
2
photoelectrodes were enhanced with its effect which is more evidenced at lower water oxidation potentials. A relatively stable photocurrent density of 5 mA/cm
2
at 1.5 V vs RHE was attained with the support of electron donor in alkaline phosphate solution. Comparatively, in Co-Pi/ZnLaTaON
2
photoelectrodes, approximately threefold enhancement was noticed at 1.8 V
RHE
in assessment with parent photoelectrode. On the other hand, Co-Pi/ZnLaTaON
2
photoelectrodes have been shown as an alternative pathway to improve the photoelectrochemical current gain through the PEC water oxidation reaction.