Composition-optimized TiO{sub 2}/CdS{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} core/shell nanowire arrays for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation

Journal Article · Fri Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4901001· OSTI ID:22308215

Ai, Guanjie; Mo, Rong; Xu, Hang; Chen, Qian; Yang, Sui; Li, Hongxing; Zhong, Jianxin ^[1]

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1. Hunan Key Laboratory for Micro-Nano Energy Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Optoelectronics, Xiangtan University, Hunan 411105 (China)

Core/shell heterostructured TiO{sub 2}/CdS{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} nanowire arrays (NWAs) were prepared via physical vapor deposition of CdS{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} layer onto the hydrothermal pre-grown TiO{sub 2} NWAs with FTO as conductive substrate. By change the sulfur content (x) in the TiO{sub 2}/CdS{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} nano-composites, it was observed that the light absorption edge can be gradually tuned within a broad wavelength from 540 to 710 nm. When used as photoanodes for hydrogen generation, the as-prepared TiO{sub 2}/CdS{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} NWAs show much higher photoelectroncatalytic activity than the pristine TiO{sub 2} NWAs. Moreover, the TiO{sub 2}/CdS{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} photoelectrode with x = 0.52 exhibited the highest photocurrent level and outstanding stability, which is more suitable for long-time hydrogen generation. This study may be useful in the design of alloy hetrostructure photoelectrodes with optimal chemical composition toward the more efficient solar conversion devices.

• OSTI ID: 22308215
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 116, Issue 17; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
INTERSTITIAL HYDROGEN GENERATION
LAYERS
NANOSTRUCTURES
NANOWIRES
PHOTOANODES
PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
STABILITY
SUBSTRATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TERNARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
TITANIUM OXIDES
VISIBLE RADIATION