Photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation on TiO_2 nanotube arrays sensitized with CdS@Sb_2S_3 core shell particles

摘要

In this work, we propose the sensitization of TiO2 nanotube arrays with CdS and Sb2S3 (TNTs-CdS@Sb2S3), in order to improve the visible light absorbance, and the photo-electrochemical performance as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen production. It is the first time that these materials have been synthesized by an electrochemical/thermal/chemical method. TNTs-CdS Sb2S3 were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The diffuse reflectance spectrum obtained for TNTs-CdS@Sb2S3 confirms a total coverage of the firstly electrodeposited Cd particles by Sb forming a core shell type structure. The photoelectrochemical behavior of the TNTs-CdS Sb2S3 photoelectrodes and their hydrogen production capacity, were evaluated in a homemade H-type photoelectrochemical cell using a sulfide-free electrolyte. By performing gas chromatography experiments, it was determined a higher hydrogen production using the TNTs-CdS Sb2S3 photoelectrode (10.23 mu mol h(-1)) being 1.5 and 4.5 times higher than that reached, for the TNTs-CdS and TNTs-Sb2S3 photoelectrodes, respectively. Additionally, the chalcogenide core@shell structure shows better photo-stability and photocurrent response than that of each of the components separately. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.