Effect of surface overlayer in enhancing the photoelectrochemical water oxidation of grown one-dimensional spinel zinc ferrite nanorods directly onto the substrate

Overlayer passivation minimizes surface defects and arrests the back transfer of electrons for an enhanced charge extraction. Surface passivation of ZnFe 2 O 4 using alumina yields enhanced charge carrier density from 8.43 × 10 20 cm −3 to 18.83 × 10 20 cm −3 giving a record efficiency in this class of compounds. Overlayer passivation minimizes surface defects and arrests the back transfer of electrons for an enhanced charge extraction.