InGaN/Cu2O Heterostructure Core-Shell Nanowire Photoanode for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

The heterostructuring and doping concepts have proved to obtain a novel n-InGaN/p-Cu2O nanowire (NW) photoanode by strong enhancement of the photocurrent compared to a bare InGaN NW photoanode in solar water splitting. The large photocurrent is due to the maximized photocarrier separation and hole transfer to the surface in the depletion zone of the p–n heterojunction established by the p-Cu2O layer, forming a thin, uniform shell-layer around the n-InGaN NW core by electrodeposition. For sufficiently thin Cu2O layers, the upward energy band bending in the depletion zone extends up to the surface for optimized hole transport and surface reaction. Thick Cu2O layers on top of the InGaN NWs act as common photocathodes. The functional InGaN/Cu2O heterostructure core-shell NW photoanode is chemically self-stabilized at positive applied voltage by a thin CuO surface layer. Final deposition of the earth-abundant NiOOH co-catalyst boosts the photocurrent of the InGaN/Cu2O/NiOOH complete NW photoanode into the competitive mA/cm2 range.