Fabrication of efficient CdS nanoflowers-decorated TiO2 nanotubes array heterojunction photoanode by a novel synthetic approach for solar hydrogen production

作者：Shinde Pravin S; Park Jin Woo; Mahadik Mahadeo A; Ryu Jungho; Park Jung Hee; Yi Young Joo; Jang Jum Suk

来源：International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2016, 41(46): 21078-21087.

DOI：10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.08.205

• CdS nanoflowers
• TiO2 nanotubes
• Anodization
• Hydrothermal
• Solar hydrogen production

A nanocomposite heterojunction photoanode involving CdS nanoflowers (NFs) and one-dimensional TiO2 nanotube (NT) arrays was reported. The self-assembled TiO2 NT arrays were fabricated by an anodization method and the surface of TiO2 NT arrays was decorated with CdS NFs by employing hydrothermal method for the first time. The CdS NF morphology was optimized by controlling the hydrothermal reaction time from 0 to 72 h. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) study of the CdS-NF/TiO2-NT photoanode revealed good coverage of hydrothermally grown CdS NFs on the surface of TiO2 NT arrays. The photoelectrochemical measurements were performed under 100 mW cm(-2) illumination using polysulfide electrolyte. A 5.5-fold photocurrent enhancement was observed for the CdS-NF/TiO2-NT array photoanode synthesized with a 48 h CdS hydro thermal reaction compared to a pristine TiO2 NT array film. Annealing of TiO2 NTs as well as CdS NFs led to further improvement in the photocurrent on account of greater crystallinity, significantly higher visible light photon absorption and improved interface properties between CdS and TiO2. These findings were supported by optical absorption, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky analyses.

• 出版日期2016-12-14