Preparation of hierarchical CuO@TiO2 nanowire film and its application in photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

A new kind of self-standing CuO@TiO2 nanowires (NWs) film with hierarchical feature was prepared by a three-step protocol consisting of hydrothermal reaction, electroless plating, and branched growth processes. This heterostructured CuO@TiO2 NWs film demonstrates the favorable physical properties in the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) water splitting, such as the hierarchical surface, the extended optical absorption range, and the rapid interface charge transfer kinetics. Under the illumination of the simulated solar light, the pristine TiO2 NWs film only attains a photocurrent density of 0.12 mA/cm2 at 1.0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Significantly, the CuO@TiO2 NWs film can yield a dramatically increased photocurrent density of 0.56 mA/cm2 at the same applied voltage. Furthermore, amperometric I–t tests of the CuO@TiO2 NWs film reveal satisfactory stability. All the above characteristics of this heterostructured CuO@TiO2 NWs film indicate its great potential in the water splitting applications with solar visible light.