Hydrothermal fabrication of Ni3S2/TiO2 nanotube composite films on Ni anode and application in photoassisted water electrolysis

• Ni3S2/TiO2 nanotube photocatalysts were synthesized on Ni by hydrothermal method.
• Structure of Ni3S2 wrapped by TiO2 nanotubes improves remarkably stability of Ni3S2.
• Ni3S2/TiO2 film on Ni has better H2 production performance than TiO2-modified anode.

Nanostructured films of rhombohedral Ni3S2 were hydrothermally synthesized on Ni and TiO2 nanotube layer, as substrates. A possible mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of rhombohedral Ni3S2 nanostructures. The results of UV–vis spectrophotometric studies indicate that optical absorption spectrum of Ni3S2/TiO2 nanotube composites could be extended to the visible region. As-synthesized Ni3S2/TiO2 nanotube composite films on Ni substrate had better (by about 40%) hydrogen production performance under the visible light irradiation, in comparison with the Ni anode modified by TiO2 nanotubes.

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