High-Efficiency Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation with CdS–ZnS/Black Ti–Si–O Composite Photoanode

Composite photoanode based on TiO 2 nanotubes could offer favorable electronic and optical properties for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. This study explores the impact of CdS–ZnS composite modification on black Ti–Si–O nanotube arrays for enhancing PEC water splitting performance. Black Ti–Si–O nanotubes were prepared through anodization and high-temperature Sn reduction, followed by CdS and ZnS deposition on the nanotubes using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method to fabricate CdS–ZnS/black Ti–Si–O composite photoanodes. The metal sulfide modification significantly improved the PEC performance of the black Ti–Si–O nanotube arrays. The composite photoanode could demonstrate highly efficient PEC hydrogen generation, achieving a high photocurrent density of 12.69 mA/cm 2 at 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, which is much higher than those of CdS or ZnS-modified black Ti–Si–O photoanodes. This study offers new insights into designing novel photocatalysts with superior PEC performance.