Type-II ZnO/ZnS core-shell nanowires: Earth-abundant photoanode for solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting

A core-shell structure, formed in a nanostructured photoanode, is an effective strategy to achieve high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. In this study, we present a facile and simple synthesis of a unique vertically aligned ZnO/ZnS core-shell heterostructure nanowires (NWs) on a Si substrate. Well-aligned ZnO NWs were grown on Si (100) substrates on a low-temperature ZnO buffer layer by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The ZnO NWs were then coated with various thicknesses of ZnS shell layers using atomic layer deposition. The structural characterizations exhibit the well-developed ZnO/ZnS core-shell NWs heterostructure. The as-prepared ZnO/ZnS core-shell NWs was applied as photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. This unique ZnO/ZnS core-shell NWs photoanode shows photocurrent density of 1.21 mA cm -2 , which is 8.5 times higher than bare ZnO NWs. The PEC performance and the applied-bias-photon-to-current conversion efficiency of ZnO/ZnS core-shell NWs photoanode are further improved with the optimized ZnS shell. The type-II band alignment of the heterostructure photoanode is the key factor for their excellent PEC performance. Importantly, this type of core-shell NWs heterostructure provides useful insights into novel electrode design and fabrication based on earth abundant materials for low-cost solar fuel generation.