Enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activities of SnO2/SiC nanowire heterostructure photocatalysts

The SnO2/SiC nanowire heterostructure photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a solvothermal synthesis process. The microstructural, morphological and optical properties of SnO2/SiC heterostructures were characterized. Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting reactions of the hybrid photocatalyst were investigated under the simulated sunlight irradiation. The highest hydrogen evolution rate of the hybrid photocatalyst is 274 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), which is about 4 times than that of the pristine SiC nanowires. The photoelectrochemical water-splitting performance of the hybrid SnO2/SiC photoelectrode was also significantly enhanced compared with the pristine SiC nanowire photoelectrode. The current density of SnO2/SiC nanowires cathode is 62.0 mA cm(-2) at 0.6 V bias potential, which is 6.9 times than that of pristine SiC nanowire photoelectrode. The heterostructure of SnO2/SiC nanowires may facilitate the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges because the difference in the band edge positions of the two semiconductors. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.