NiFe-LDH-Decorated Ti-Doped Hematite Photoanode for Enhancing Solar Water-Splitting Efficiency

Ti-doped α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method, followed by a NiFe-LDH catalyst that was electrodeposited on the doped α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods to structure an integrating photoanode Ti:Fe₂O₃/NiFe-LDH for improving solar PEC water-splitting efficiency. The structure and properties of electrode materials were characterized and the PEC properties of photoanodes were measured. The results show that the photocurrent density of the photoanode enhances 11.25 times at 1.23 V (vs RHE) and the IPCE value enhances 4.10 times at 420 nm compared with pristine α-Fe₂O₃. The enhancement is attributed to the separating of photogenerated electron-hole, the increase of carrier density, and the acceleration of the carrier transfer rate due to the dual action of doping and catalysis.