The enhanced water splitting activity of a ZnO-based photoanode by modification with self-doped lanthanum ferrite

The difficult separation and transfer of photoexcited charge carriers in composite photoelectrodes is a decisive factor limiting the efficiencies of semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical water splitting systems. Herein, to further enhance the photoelectrochemical properties of ZnO-based photoanodes, we constructed composite ZnO nanoarray photoanodes with Fe-self-doped lanthanum ferrite (denoted as La1-xFe1+xO3/ZnO NRs), which had the effect of killing two birds with one stone. This improvement strategy differs from the previously popular multi-step modification process, and integrates the dual benefits of a heterojunction and cocatalyst using the same material, the doped LaFeO3, which bypasses the shortcomings of multi-step charge transfer. Gratifyingly, benefitting from the suitable energy bands and excellent electrocatalytic oxygen evolution activity of La0.9Fe1.1O3, the photoanode exhibits outstanding bulk charge separation and surface charge utilization efficiencies, as well as achieving a photocurrent density that is over three times higher than that of pristine ZnO NRs, with a small onset potential (0.33 V vs. RHE). This electrode modification concept provides guidance for the development of other highly active photoelectrodes.