The construction of a single-crystalline SbSI nanorod array–WO3 heterostructure photoanode for high PEC performance

Abstract

A novel kind of highly efficient photoanode was constructed with a SbSI/WO₃ heterostructurefabricated through two hydrothermal reactions followed by an iodination reaction (WO₃ → Sb₂S₃/WO₃ → SbSI/WO₃). After optimizing the solvent [carbon disulfide (CS₂)] for SbI₃, the SbSI(CS₂)/WO₃ photoanode shows high-density single-crystalline SbSI nanorods growing along the polar [001] direction on WO₃ nanoplates, resulting in excellent photocurrent performance (∼2.1 mA cm⁻²@1.23 V vs. RHE) and an improved photostability. It is evidenced that the higher crystallinity of SbSI has a positive effect on the photostability of the constructed SbSI/WO₃ photoanodes.