LAUSR

Abstract A series of heterojunctions, based on CdS nanorods and TiO 2 nanocrystals, were prepared by solvothermal process. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were used to characterize as-prepared composites. The results demonstrate that well crystalline TiO 2 nanocrystals play an important role in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical properties. The well crystalline TiO 2 nanocrystals are beneficial to the formation of good chemical bonding between TiO 2 nanocrystal and CdS nanorod, which gives positive effect on the optical property and photoelectrochemical performance of this heterostructure. Further, the good bonding at the interface of TiO 2 nanocrystals and CdS nanorod is beneficial to the formation of larger width of space charge region, which gives rise to more band bending in CdS to improve the separation and transition efficiency of photo-induced electrons and holes in CdS TiO 2 heterojunctions.