Enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of α-Fe2O3 nanoarrays for water splitting

Solar-driven water splitting by photoelectrochemical method is a prospective approach for clean energy hydrogen production. Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Ag nanoparticles are deposited on alpha-Fe2O3 nanorod arrays by hydrothermal and photodeposition methods forming alpha-Fe2O3/RGO/Ag photoelectrode. An optimum photocurrent density is obtained at 0.72 mA/cm(2) with 0.23 V (1.23 V vs RHE), together with the maximum photoconversion efficiency of 0.15%, much higher than pure alpha-Fe2O3 of 0.07%. The enhanced photoelectrochemical properties could be resulted from its broadened light absorption, decreased electro-hole recombination rate and improved charge carriers transport. This work provides potential applications in fields of the photocatalyst and photo-water splitting. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.