Hybrid nanostructures of TiO2 nanorod array/Cu2O with a CH3NH3PbI3 interlayer for enhanced photocatalytic activity and photoelectrochemical performance. Issue 62 (15th June 2016) - Fu, Ke
Abstract : A novel composite photocatalyst constructed from TiO2 NRAs, CH3 NH3 PbI3 and Cu2 O exhibits highly efficient visible light photocatalysis activity. Abstract : TiO2 nanorod arrays (NRAs) filled with CH3 NH3 PbI3 were coated by Cu2 O, which was fabricated on carbon fiber to form the photocatalyst TiO2 NRAs/CH3 NH3 PbI3 /Cu2 O. The morphology and structure of the as-obtained samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption measurements and photocurrent test revealed that the CH3 NH3 PbI3 layer can provide a greatly enhanced light harvesting efficiency. The I – V curves and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) analysis confirmed that the TiO2 NRAs/CH3 NH3 PbI3 /Cu2 O hybrid structure favors electron transfer. The TiO2 NRAs/CH3 NH3 PbI3 /Cu2 O structure exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity with good recyclability under Xe lamp irradiation. The experimental results indicate that the better photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the higher carrier separation and transportation, higher specific surface area and the broadened absorption spectrum.