Photoelectrochemical performances of Fe2O3 nanotube films decorated with cadmium sulfide nanoparticles via photo deposition method‏

Photoelectrochemical performances of Fe₂O₃ nanotube films decorated with cadmium sulfide nanoparticles via photo deposition method

Mohamad Mohsen Momeni, Yousef Ghayeb, Akbar Hallaj, Robabeh Bagheri, Zhenlun Song, Hossein Farrokhpour

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2018.11.048

Abstract

Hematite is an appropriate compound for photoelectrochemical water splitting. However, passive surface state, high recombination rate of the photo induced electron-hole pairs and poor and slow charge transfer kinetics restrict the performance of hematite. In this work, CdS/Fe2O3NTs samples have been successfully prepared by coating of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of the self-organized Fe2O3NTs via photo deposition technique in order to enhance charge separation and charge transfer kinetics. FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), DRS (Diffraction Reflection Spectroscopy) and XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) analyses have been used to characterize the CdS/Fe2O3NTs photoelectrodes obtained. CdS/Fe2O3NTs has an intense visible light absorption and displays a red-shift of the band edge in comparison with the bare Fe2O3NTs, according to DRS test. The photocurrent density of Fe2O3NTs increased approximately 5 times upon coating with CdS, as shown by photoelectrochemical measurements, indicating the significant role of the introduction of CdS in the enhancement of photo catalytic activity. CdS/Fe2O3NTs may be promising and effective photoanodes in PEC water splitting given their simple preparation and good performance.

Physica B: Condensed Matter

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921452618307518