Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate for the first time a promising photoanode of Fe2V4O13/In2S3 (FVO/IS) nanoparticles (NPs) for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Most importantly, this work presents the first application of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in tracking electron flow direction within FVO/IS to reveal the formation of heterojunction having the electron flow from IS to FVO. Mott-Schottky measurement confirms that the modification of IS NPs establishes the type II heterojunction between FVO and IS, favorable for the transport and separation of carriers. Spectral measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photoluminescence and Bode diagram confirm the effective separation of carriers and the prolongation of the charge lifetime in the FVO/IS heterojunction photoanode. Moreover, the electrochemical measurements evidently demonstrate the substantial enhancement in the charge separation efficiency (ηseparation) and charge transfer efficiency (ηtransfer) of the photoanode, leading to significantly enhanced PEC water splitting capability. As a result, in contrast with the pure FVO NPs photoanode, the photocurrent density of the constructed FVO/IS NPs photoanode is increased by 27 times without bias. This study paves a new approach for boosting the PEC water splitting activity of FVO photoanodes by constructing heterostructures through modification with other semiconductors.
Published Version
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