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

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.