Hematite nanorod arrays top-decorated with an MIL-101 layer for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

The construction of a nano-heterojunction photoanode is an attractive strategy for accelerated charge separation. Here, α-Fe2O3 nanorod arrays (Fe2O3 NAs) top-decorated with an MIL-101 layer are achieved via the CVD method for constructing one intimate contact between two layers. The systematical analysis in time-dependent deposition shows that the photoelectric response capability can be modulated by controlling the thickness of the MIL-101 layer as a function of CVD duration. An optimized thickness of 4-6 nm MIL-101 in the Fe2O3/MIL-101 photoanode presents the best PEC performance with the IPCE of 25% and a photocurrent density of 1 mA cm-2 at 1.3 V vs. RHE, about 2.5 times higher than that of pristine Fe2O3 NAs. The exciton lifetime and the electrochemical active surface area of the composited electrode are greatly improved by 14 and 1.3 times respectively compared to that of pristine Fe2O3. The notable advancement can be attributed to the fact that the top-decorated MOF layer can promote charge separation efficiency led by the built-in electric field and form a tight interface between Fe2O3 and MIL-101 with a favorable diffusion length for holes, as well as the fact that it can reduce surface defects and provide more reaction sites.