Si-H induced synthesis of Si/Cu 2 O nanowire arrays for photoelectrochemical water splitting

We report a facile and low-cost method to synthesize Si/Cu O heterojunction nanowire arrays, without SiO , at the Si/Cu O interface. The reductive Si-H bonds on the surface of Si nanowires plays a key role in situ by reducing Cu(II) ions to Cu O nanocubes and avoiding the SiO interface layer. Different pH values would vary the electrochemical potential of reactions and as a result, different products would be formed. Utilized as a photoanode for water splitting, Si/Cu O nanowire arrays exhibit good photoelectrochemical performance.