Photoelectrochemical properties of vertically oriented hematite/gold multi-block nanorod arrays and their comparison to pure hematite nanorod arrays

Vertically oriented hematite/gold (α-Fe₂O₃/Au) multi-block nanorod arrays are prepared with the goal of achieving enhanced photocatalytic ability to produce hydrogen from water. The effects of the insertion of the Au block in the pure α-Fe₂O₃ nanorod on the photocurrent generation are firstly characterized by photocurrent-voltage. The insertion of Au is expected to play an important role in the enhancement of the transport of electrons generated in the α-Fe₂O₃. The multi-block nanorod arrays show an improved photocurrent density and negative shift of the onset potential under 100 mW cm^-2 simulated solar light illumination.