SnO2 QDs-decorated V2O5 nanobelts for photoelectrochemical water splitting under visible light

Highly efficient and solvent-free SnO2 quantum dots (QDs)-decorated V2O5 nanobelt catalysts were synthesized to control environmental pollution via photoelectrochemical water splitting. To confirm the formation of the nanostructures, several analyses were performed. The modification with SnO2 QDs demonstrated a significant influence on the optical properties of the V2O5 nanobelts. The optical bandgap of the synthesized V2O5 nanobeltbased catalysts varied between 2.19 and 2.50 eV. The Sn4+ and V5+ chemical states of the pure SnO2 QDs and V2O5 nanobelts, respectively, were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the optimized SnO2 QDs-decorated V2O5 nanobelts had the lowest charge transfer resistance along with capacitive behavior in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte. The concentration of the SnO2 QDs had a significant effect on the photocurrent densities of the V2O5 nanobelts. A maximum photocurrent density of 1.161 mAcm(-2) was obtained for the sample with 80 mg V2O5 nanobelts decorated with 20 mg SnO2 QDs. This occurred because of the significant enhancement in the light absorption, improved contact at the photoelectrodeelectrolyte interface, reduced ion-conduction path resistance, and lower charge transfer resistance of the synthesized photoelectrode.

Automated summary

Efficient and solvent-free SnO2 quantum dots-decorated V2O5 nanobelt catalysts were synthesized for controlling environmental pollution via photoelectrochemical water splitting. The modification with SnO2 QDs significantly influenced the optical properties of the V2O5 nanobelts. Optimized SnO2 QDs-decorated V2O5 nanobelts showed the lowest charge transfer resistance and capacitive behavior in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte.