Three-Dimensional Lupinus-like TiO₂ Nanorod@Sn₃O₄ Nanosheet Hierarchical Heterostructured Arrays as Photoanode for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

A novel photoelectrode of three-dimensional (3D) lupinus-like TiO₂ nanorod@Sn₃O₄ nanosheet hierarchical heterostructured arrays (TiO₂@Sn₃O₄ HHAs) on a transparent F-doped SnO₂ glass substrate was designed and fabricated by a two-step solvothermal growth process. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements showed that the 3D lupinus-like TiO₂@Sn₃O₄ HHAs photoelectrode displayed enhanced photocurrent density (3-fold increase with respect to that of pure TiO₂), improved conversion efficiency, more negative onset potential (from −0.13 to −0.33 V vs normal hydrogen electrode), and higher light on/off cycle stability. The improved PEC properties may be ascribable to the enhancement of light harvesting and large contact area with the electrolyte by increased surface area as well as improvement of charge transfer and collection through the synergistic effects between band structures and morphology.