Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of NiS-modified TiO nanorods with a surface charge accumulation facet

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen production technology is considered as one of the most promising solutions to energy shortage and environmental remediation. TiO 2 /NiS nanorod arrays were successfully prepared using hydrothermal deposition followed by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra characterization studies indicate the successful deposition of NiS on TiO 2 NRs. The NiS deposition on TiO 2 was optimized by controlling the impregnation cycle. The optimal sample exhibits a photocurrent density of 1.16 mA cm −2 at 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is a 1.9-fold enhancement over that of pristine TiO 2 nanorod arrays. The enhanced photoelectrochemical performance can be attributed to two aspects. On the one hand, the (101) crystal plane of rutile TiO 2 is the facet where photogenerated holes accumulate and is an efficient active plane for the oxygen evolution reaction; on the other hand, NiS is a narrow band gap semiconductor, and its deposition on TiO 2 nanorods can further promote the separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers. Schematic diagram of TiO 2 /NiS nanorod arrays for photoelectrochemical three-electrode system.