Bi2Se3/SnSe heterojunction on flexible Ti foil for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting

Here, Bi2Se3 thin film was deposited on SnSe through r.f. magnetron sputtering system and investigated the photoelectrochemical (PEC) characteristics. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the hollow nanorod's surface of SnSe thin film whereas nanoflake surface was seen for Bi2Se3 decorated SnSe. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of rhombohedral Bi2Se3 and orthorhombic SnSe phase. Electronic properties of heterojunction were also studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PEC measurements demonstrate that the Bi2Se3/SnSe/Ti heterostructure exhibits enhanced photocatalytic performance with an obtained photocurrent density of 147.3 mu A/cm2 which was found more than 2 times that of pristine SnSe/Ti in 0.5 M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte under AM 1.5 G solar radiation.