ZnS/CZTS QDs modification for escalating photoelectrochemical properties of α-Fe2O3 thin film

Present study investigates the use of visible light active green CZTS quantum dots for boosting the photo-activity of hematite thin film towards efficient hydrogen generation. A photoelectrode has been prepared by depositing a passivating layer of ZnS on Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) QDs sensitized hematite thin film (H-CZTS QDs/ZnS) for solar hydrogen production. These films were implemented as photoanode in photoelectrochemical cell for photoresponse measurements. XRD, HRTEM, FESEM and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) techniques were used to characterize these thin films for deeper analysis. The modified hematite film has showed 1.48 times more photocurrent density as compared to pristine counterpart. An increase in photocurrent could be attributed to better light absorption ability and reduced charge transfer resistance after modification. Applied bias to photon conversion efficiency was also calculated and found higher for modified sample.