Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/Fe2O3 core–shell nanocomposition film and their photoelectrochemical property

TiO2/Fe2O3 core–shell nanocomposition film has been fabricated via two-step method. TiO2 nanorod arrays are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, and followed by Fe2O3 nanoparticles deposited on TiO2 nanorod arrays through an ordinary chemical bath deposition. The phase structures, morphologies, particle size, chemical compositions of the composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer. The results confirm that Fe2O3 nanoparticles of mean size ca. 10 nm coated on the surface of TiO2 NRs. After depositing Fe2O3, UV–vis absorption property is induces the shift to the visible-light range, the annealing temperature of 600 °C is the best condition for UV–vis absorption property of TiO2/Fe2O3 nanocomposite film, and increasing Fe content, optical activity are enhanced one by one. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances of the as-prepared composite nanorods are determined by measuring the photo-generated currents under illumination of UV–vis light. The TiO2 NRs modified by Fe2O3 show the photocurrent value of 1.36 mA/cm2 at 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, which is higher than those of unmodified TiO2 NRs.