TiO2/graphene/CuSbS2 mixed-dimensional array with high-performance photoelectrochemical properties

Abstract

The growing demands for reproducible and clean sources of power has prompted the exploitation of novel materials for solar-energy conversion; in any case, the improvement of their conversion efficiency remains a big challenge. We report a mixed-dimensional heterostructure to synchronously enhance charge separation and light-absorption of the photoanodes via the introduction of two-dimensional reduced graphene oxide and zero-dimensional CuSbS₂ quantum dots on one-dimensional TiO₂ arrays. The experimental results show that the graphene sheets with a low Fermi level and a superior electron mobility accept photo-excited electrons from TiO₂ and enable fast electron transportation; while the CuSbS₂ quantum dots promote the visible light-absorption of the photoanode. The synergistic effects in this mixed-dimensional (1D–2D–0D) heterostructure photoanode induce a markedly raised photoconversion efficiency of 1.2% at 0.3 V and a photocurrent density of 5.5 mA cm⁻² at 0.4 V. Furthermore, the photocurrent density of the mixed-dimensional heterostructure exceeds previously reported TiO₂-based photoanodes in neutral media. The improved photoelectrochemical properties are attributed to the synergistic-effect-induced highly organized, mixed-dimensional architectures. It is expected that the mixed-dimensional heterostructure photoanode will be a potential candidate for applications in environmental remediation and energy fields.