Yolk-shell ZnO@C-CeO2 ternary heterostructures with conductive N-doped carbon mediated electron transfer for highly efficient water splitting

• A facile synthesis route is utilized to produce Z-scheme yolk-shell ZnO@C-CeO 2 . • After calcination, a conductive N -doped graphitic carbon layer is generated. • The photocatalysts showed enhancement toward visible light absorption. • A superior PEC water splitting performance is achieved: 7.43 mA/cm 2 at 1.18 V RHE. • N -doped carbon electron-transfer layer prolonged life-time of light in yolk-shell. Herein, carbon-incorporated yolk-shell ZnO@C-CeO 2 ternary heterostructures are employed as visible light responsive photocatalyst for highly efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Compared to conventional ZnO/CeO 2 semiconductors, introduction of a thin PDA shell layer assures the generation of a conductive N -doped graphitic carbon layer after a calcination post-treatment with mesoporous hollow morphologies. The evaluation of PEC water splitting performance of ZnO@C-CeO 2 photoanodes reveals the maximum photocurrent density as 7.43 mA/cm 2 at 1.18 V RHE under light whereas almost no response is recorded at dark. These superior PEC H 2 evolution performance strongly implies efficient charge separation, facilitated charge transfer between photoanode and electrolyte interface as well as within the semiconductor bulk by means of rapid electron transfer ability of N -doped graphitic carbon layer and prolong life time of light inside yolk-shell structure. Furthermore, considerable depression in PL intensity of ZnO@C-CeO 2 photoanodes compared to ZnO clearly reveals a higher photon absorption due to the reflection of light in hollow region and increase in electron hole separation efficiency. Moreover, plausible Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism using ZnO@C-CeO 2 photoanodes under visible light illumination is verified using radical trapping experiments and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods, suggesting new generation of heterostructures for sufficient conversion of sunlight to H 2 fuels.