Synthesis and improved photoelectrochemical performances of oxygen-deficient TiO 2 /black-BaTiO 3 /CdS multiple-heterojunction nanoarrays

• Published in: Catalysis science & technology 2024-02, Vol.14 (4), p.919-927
• Main Authors: Zhang, Ganghua, Chen, Zhibo, Li, Xiao, Liu, Zhanqiang, Guo, Huichen, Huang, Yanwei, Fang, Yongzheng, Hou, Jingshan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2044-4753; 2044-4761
• DOI: 10.1039/D3CY01665J

TiO 2 -based photocatalysts have been extensively studied owing to their economic affordability, sensitive photo-responsivity, excellent chemical and thermal stability, abundance in nature, and other properties. However, insufficient visible-light absorption and photoelectrode efficiency greatly impede the practical application of TiO 2 -based photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Herein, a novel oxygen-deficient TiO 2 /black-BaTiO 3 (B-BTO)/CdS composite film was successfully fabricated by combining a hydrothermal method and Al-reduction and chemical bath deposition (CBD) techniques. A superior photocurrent density of 7.14 mA cm −2 was achieved in the TiO 2 /B-BTO/CdS photoanode at 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which was approximately 35.7-fold and 2.2-fold higher than that of TiO 2 /BaTiO 3 (TiO 2 /BTO) and CdS photoanodes, respectively. The improved PEC performance of the prepared nanocomposite can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the increased surface area of nanorod arrays, promoted light-harvesting capacity of oxygen-deficient B-BTO, spontaneous polarization of BTO, and TiO 2 /B-BTO/CdS multiple heterojunction structures. This work is expected to offer a new avenue for designing new oxygen-deficient TiO 2 -based nanocomposites with outstanding PEC activity.