Potent and environmental-friendly l-cysteine @ Fe2O3 nanostructure for photoelectrochemical water splitting

This work has reported a simple, environmental-friendly, low-cost and relatively high efficient method of L-cys @ Fe2O3 NTs photoanode preparation. The designed specimen was composed of hematite nanotubes obtained by electrochemical anodization on mild steel, which surface was covered by l-cysteine thin layer. With the overlayer, the water oxidation photocurrent of hematite increased approximately sixfold (1.23 V vs RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode) under 1 sun illumination). To reveal the enhanced PEC performance, multiple analyses including the sample surface morphological and chemical properties, optical and electronic properties, and photoelectrochemical properties were explored. The combined results suggested that L-cys @ Fe2O3 NTs photoanode presented more efficient hole migration pathway, lower interfacial resistance, and superior surface stability than pure nanostructured hematite.