Hybrid nanostructures of TiO2 nanorod array/Cu2O with a CH3NH3PbI3 interlayer for enhanced photocatalytic activity and photoelectrochemical performance

Abstract

TiO₂ nanorod arrays (NRAs) filled with CH₃NH₃PbI₃ were coated by Cu₂O, which was fabricated on carbon fiber to form the photocatalyst TiO₂ NRAs/CH₃NH₃PbI₃/Cu₂O. The morphology and structure of the as-obtained samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption measurements and photocurrent test revealed that the CH₃NH₃PbI₃ layer can provide a greatly enhanced light harvesting efficiency. The I–V curves and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) analysis confirmed that the TiO₂ NRAs/CH₃NH₃PbI₃/Cu₂O hybrid structure favors electron transfer. The TiO₂ NRAs/CH₃NH₃PbI₃/Cu₂O structure exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity with good recyclability under Xe lamp irradiation. The experimental results indicate that the better photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the higher carrier separation and transportation, higher specific surface area and the broadened absorption spectrum.