Silicon/Hematite Core/Shell Nanowire Array Decorated\nwith Gold Nanoparticles for Unbiased Solar Water Oxidation

Abstract

We\nreport the facile fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) silicon/hematite\ncore/shell nanowire arrays decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)\nand their potential application for sunlight-driven solar water splitting.\nThe hematite and AuNPs respectively play crucial catalytic and plasmonic\nphotosensitization roles, while silicon absorbs visible light and\ngenerates high photocurrent. Under simulated solar light illumination,\nsolar water splitting with remarkable efficiency is achieved with\nno external bias applied. Such a nanocomposite photoanode design offers\ngreat promise for unassisted sunlight-driven water oxidation, and\nfurther stability and efficiency improvements to the device will lead\nto exciting prospects for practical solar water splitting and artificial\nphotosynthesis.