Dual-mode spectral convertors as a simple approach for the enhancement of hematite’s solar water splitting efficiency

Storing solar energy via a chemical fuel of hydrogen from water splitting represents a clean alternative for petroleum fuel. Thus, it is highly desirable for the production of hydrogen using environment-friendly and cost-effective methods. Most photoelectrodes used for this conversion are semiconductor materials whose band gaps match the UV and visible radiation of solar energy. However, further improvement in electrodes performance may be possible by improving photoabsorption efficiency in near-infrared region. This report represents our attempt to utilize IR photons for water splitting, and thus, spectral convertors were incorporated within the hematite nanorods (NRs) grown directly on a FTO glass. The results demonstrate that incorporation of spectral convertors within the hematite NRs leads to higher efficiency and performance in solar water splitting, because the convertors enable harvesting more photons both at UV and IR regions than conventional hematite.