Zr-Doped β-In2S3 Ultrathin Nanoflakes as Photoanodes: Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting via semiconductor is a promising approach to the scalable generation of renewable H-2 fuels. Several characteristics are crucial for efficient water splitting in PEC cell systems, including low onset potential for the photoanode, high photocurrent, and long-term stability. In this study, we investigated metal ion doping application to prepare 2, 5, and 8 mol % Zr-doped beta-In2S3 two-dimensional nanoflakes; we then used the material to create improved photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting. That Zr4+ doping in the crystal lattice of beta-In2S3 led to red-shift absorption of the 40 run wavelength, which benefits visible-light utilization. Three nanoflake samples water splitting electrodes compared to pure beta-In2S3 nanoflakes. We found that the photocurrent density of 2 mol % Zr-doped beta-In2S3 nanoflakes was nearly 10 times higher than that of pure beta-In2S3 nanoflakes at 1.2 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). In addition, the anodic photocurrent onset had a 0.15 V negative shift compared to pure beta-In2S3 nanoflakes. The strategy we propose here can likely be used to develop other n-type semiconducting photoanodes for use in low-cost, solar-fuel-generation devices.