Nitrogen doping of nanoporous WO3 layers by NH3 treatment for increased visible light photoresponse.

Nanoporous WO(3) layers were grown by electrochemical anodization of W in a fluoride containing electrolyte. These layers were exposed to a thermal treatment in NH(3) to achieve nitrogen doping of the material. The morphology, crystal structure, composition and photoresponse of pure and nitrogen doped WO(3) were compared using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical measurements. The results clearly show that successful nitrogen doping into WO(3) layers can be achieved by controlling the temperature and time during the NH(3) treatment. Most importantly, it is demonstrated that for the nitrogen doped WO(3) layers the photocurrent is significantly enhanced in the visible light region.