One-pot synthesis of TiO2/Sb2S3/RGO complex multicomponent heterostructures for highly enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

The development of new sources of renewable energy fuels like hydrogen remains challenging considering the nowadays society energy needs on a day-to-day basis. In this context, hybrid nanostructures conformed by TiO₂ nanoparticles sensitized with bundles of rod-like Sb₂S₃ (stibnite) on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (TiO₂/Sb₂S₃/RGO), can pave the way in this direction, as offering heterostructures that can be employed as the active phase in photo-anodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. For that, these TiO₂/Sb₂S₃/RGO heterostructures are able to extend the light absorption to the visible range, enhance the charge separation and transportation, and improve the conductivity of the catalyst. Furthermore, the method of synthesis, though simple, implies a one-pot strategy by which the TiO₂ nanoparticles and the Sb₂S₃ rod-like particles are independently produced at the surface of RGO sheets, warranties the proper improved function of the hybrids and offers the engineering of future chalcogenide-based catalysts with promising water splitting photoelectrochemical properties.