Fabrication and Photoelectrochemical Activity of In2S3 Infused TiO2 Nanorod Heterostructure Photoelectrodes for Solar Water Splitting.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and indium sulfide (In2S3) combined nanoarray films, fabricated via the hydrothermal and chemical bath deposition (CBD) methods, were employed as photoelectrocatalysts for water splitting applications through the photoelectrochemical (PEC) process. The resulting heterostructure nanoarray catalyst morphology, composition, and optical absorption have been analyzed. The photon illumination and its effect on the electrochemical impedance and photocurrent generation measurements exposed that the infusion of In2S3 on the TiO2 films comprehensibly reduced the charge carrier transport resistance (700 Ohm·cm2) and enhanced the photocurrent (0.28 mA/cm2) with an increment of photo potential response (-1.02 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Further, the heterostructure films effectively degrade the organic molecules in the electrolyte under UV light illumination. The enhanced catalytic reaction is ascribed to the role of In2S3 deposition on the TiO2, which effectively improves the charge carrier collection at the surface by In2S3 and promotes the dissociation of organic molecules at the interface.