Photoelectrochemical Properties of Vertically Oriented Hematite/Gold Multi-Block Nanorod Arrays and Their Comparison to Pure Hematite Nanorod Arrays

摘要

Vertically oriented hematite/gold (α-Fe_2O_3/Au) multi-block nanorod arrays are prepared with the goal of achieving enhanced photocatalytic ability to produce hydrogen from water. The effects of the insertion of the Au block in the pure α-Fe_2O_3 nanorod on the photocurrent generation are firstly characterized by photocurrent-voltage. The insertion of Au is expected to play an important role in the enhancement of the transport of electrons generated in the α-Fe_2O_3. The multi-block nanorod arrays show an improved photocurrent density and negative shift of the onset potential under 100 mW cm~(-2) simulated solar light illumination.