Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting efficiency of CdS through Fe-S-Cd carrier channel facilitated interfacial charge transfer

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2023-12, Vol.967, p.171492, Article 171492
• Main Authors: Nie, Weixing, Jiang, Tingting, Liu, Zhihua, Ruan, Mengnan, Zhou, Jianguo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CdS-T/FeOOH; Charge separation efficiency; Fe-S-Cd carrier channels; Photoelectrochemical
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.171492

Semiconductor materials with high charge separation efficiency and mobility will perform well in photoelectrochemical water splitting efficiency. In this study, active cadmium sulfide (CdS-T) with exposed (0 0 2) crystal planes was prepared through a simple hydrothermal method and electrodeposition, and composite CdS-T/FeOOH was formed by coupling with hydroxylated iron oxide (FeOOH). Here, the (2 0 0) active crystal plane of CdS constructed a Fe-S-Cd charge carrier channel with FeOOH, which accelerated the migration of photogenerated carriers. In this system, the presence of the Fe-S-Cd charge carrier channel promoted the transfer of carriers between CdS and FeOOH. Meanwhile, FeOOH acts as an auxiliary catalyst, which can effectively promote the water splitting reaction on the material surface. With the effect of the Fe-S-Cd charge carrier channel, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the CdS and FeOOH photoanode was greatly improved. According to PEC testing, at 1.23 V vs RHE, the photocurrent density reached 9.92 mA/cm2 (2.88 times that of the pure CdS photocurrent density). Lastly, the carrier migration mechanism of the system is explained in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This study provides a new perspective for designing and manufacturing environmentally friendly, sunlight-driven photoanodes for use in photoelectrochemical water splitting systems. •Facile preparation of CdS-T/FeOOH through hydrothermal and electro-deposition methods.•Exposure of (0 0 2) surface on CdS enhances catalytic reaction.•FeOOH facilitates carrier transfer on CdS surface and inhibits recombination.•The formation of Fe-S-Cd carrier pathway enhances interfacial carrier transfer between CdS and FeOOH.•DFT calculations confirm the carrier transfer mechanism of Fe-S-Cd channel.