Titanium trisulphide (TiS3) nanoribbons for easy hydrogen photogeneration under visible light

First evidence of hydrogen evolution by using titanium trisulphide (TiS3) as a photoanode in a photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) is reported. Synthesized TiS3, composed of numerous nanoribbons, has been structurally, morphologically and photoelectrochemically characterized. Moreover, the value of its flat band potential has been estimated (V-fb = -0.68 +/- 0.05 V vs. Ag/AgCl) by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. This value has been used to depict the band energy levels of the TiS3/electrolyte interface. Finally, flows of photogenerated hydrogen up to 1.80 +/- 0.05 mmol H-2 min(-1) have been quantified by Mass Spectrometry (MS) at a (Ag/AgCl) bias potential of 0.3 V, yielding a photoconversion efficiency of about 7%.