Fabrication of ZnO/SrTiO3 nanoarrays and its photoelectrochemical performances

• ZnO/SrTiO3 nanomaterials by a chemical conversion hydrothermal synthesis method.
• The expected samples can be used for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
• High photocurrent due to the improved absorption spectrum and appropriate nanostructure.

The ZnO/SrTiO3 nanomaterials were fabricated by a chemical conversion hydrothermal method in order to utilize the high electron transfer rate of one-dimensional ZnO nanorods and photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3. The technological parameters, such as TiO2 sol concentration, TiO2 sol dipping cycle, Sr(NO3)2 concentration and reaction temperature, were investigated in the synthetic process and the reaction mechanism of the ZnO/SrTiO3 nanomaterials was proposed. A photocurrent density of 7.53 mA/cm2 was obtained for the as-prepared ZnO/SrTiO3 photocatalyst, attributed to its improved absorption spectrum and appropriate nanostructure, which indicates a potential application in photoelectrochemical water splitting.