Visible-Light-Driven Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Performance of NaNbO3/Ag2S Core-Shell Heterostructures

Herein, we report the fabrication of visible‐light‐active NaNbO3/Ag2S staggered‐gap core–shell semiconductor heterostructures with excellent photoelectrochemical activity toward water splitting, and the degradation of a model pollutant (methylene blue) was also monitored. The heterostructures show a pronounced photocurrent density of approximately 2.44 mA cm−2 at 0.9 V versus Ag/AgCl in 0.5 m Na2SO4 and exhibit a positive shift in onset potential by approximately 1.1 V. The high photoactivity is attributed to the efficient photoinduced interfacial charge transfer (IFCT). The core–shell design alleviates the challenges associated with the electron–hole paths across semiconductor junctions and at the electrolyte–semiconductor interface. These properties demonstrate that NaNbO3/Ag2S core–shell heterostructures show promising visible‐light photoactivity and are also efficient, stable, and recyclable photocatalysts. Shining light on a shell: Visible‐light‐active NaNbO3/Ag2S core–shell semiconductor heterostructures exhibit excellent photoelectrochemical activity toward water splitting and the degradation of a model pollutant (methylene blue). The core/shell heterostructure significantly enhances visible‐light absorption and improves the photoelectrochemical performance. The heterostructures are shown to be an efficient, stable, and recyclable photocatalysts.