Hierarchical SnS 2 /CuInS 2 Nanosheet Heterostructure Films Decorated with C 60 for Remarkable Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Rational architectural design and catalyst components are beneficial to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. Herein, hierarchical SnS /CuInS nanosheet heterostructure porous films were fabricated and decorated with C to form photocathodes for PEC water reduction. Large-size CuInS nanosheet films were first grown on transparent conducting glass to form substrate films. Then, small-size SnS nanosheets were epitaxially grown on both sides of the CuInS nanosheets to form uniform hierarchical porous laminar films. The addition of C on the surface of the SnS /CuInS porous nanosheets effectively increased visible light absorption of the composite photocathode. Photoluminescence spectroscopy and impedance spectroscopy analyses indicated that the formation of a SnS /CuInS heterojunction and decoration of C significantly increased the photocurrent density by promoting the electron-hole separation and decreasing the resistance to the transport of charge carriers. The hierarchical SnS /CuInS nanosheet heterostructure porous films containing multiscale nanosheets and pore configurations can enlarge the surface area and enhance visible light utilization. These beneficial factors make the optimized C -decorated SnS /CuInS photocathode exhibit much higher photocathodic current (4.51 mA cm at applied potential -0.45 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode ) and stability than the individual CuInS (2.58 mA cm ) and SnS (1.92 mA cm ) nanosheet film photocathodes. This study not only reveals the promise of C -decorated hierarchical SnS /CuInS nanosheet heterostructure porous film photocathodes for efficient solar energy harvesting and conversion but also provides rational guidelines in designing high-efficiency photoelectrodes from earth-abundant and low-cost materials allowing widely practical applications.