Anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays co-sensitized by uniform Ag2S and Sb2S3 nanoparticles as high-efficiency energy materials for solar cells and photocatalysts

High-efficiency energy materials based on uniform Ag2S and Sb2S3 nanoparticles co-sensitization on self-organized TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTs/Ag2S-Sb2S3) were prepared by a combination of two-step electrochemical anodization with facile successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process. Uniform Ag2S and Sb2S3 nanoparticles were distributed homogeneously on the surface of TiO2 NTs. The influences of SILAR deposition cycles of Ag2S and Sb2S3 played vital influences on the morphology, visible light response and photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 NTs/Ag2S-Bi2S3. The co-sensitization largely enhanced the photoelectrocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) under solar light irradiation.