Improving photoelectrochemical performance by building Fe2O3 heterostructure on TiO2 nanorod arrays

• Fe2O3@TiO2 heterostructure was fabricated by two-step method.
• The photoelectrochemical properties were studied upon visible light irradiation.
• Fe2O3@TiO2 heterostructure shows superior photoelectrochemical property.
• A possible mechanism for enhanced photoelectrochemical property was put forward.

Fe2O3@TiO2 heterostructure nanorod arrays were synthesized on a fluorine-doped tin oxide conductive (FTO) glass substrate via two-step method for improving photoelectrochemical activity of TiO2. The TiO2 nanorod arrays on FTO substrate were first prepared by hydrothermal method and then Fe2O3 nanoparticles were coated onto the surface of TiO2 nanorod arrays through chemical bath deposition. The heterojunction yielded a photocurrent density of 39.75 μA cm−2 at a bias potential of 0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) under visible light irradiation, which is 2.2 times as much as that produced by the pure TiO2 nanorod arrays. The enhanced photoelectrochemical activity is attributed to the extension of the light response range and efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. Our results have demonstrated the advantage of the novel Fe2O3@TiO2 heterojunction and will provide a new path to the fabrication of heterostructural materials.

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