LAUSR

Abstract The nanostructural β-Bi2O3/PbS n-p heterojunction is fabricated using a simple two-step process; electrodeposition of BiOI followed by annealing to form β-Bi2O3 and then PbS deposition by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The β-Bi2O3 nanoflakes are vertically grown on the substrate while PbS nanoparticles are deposited on Bi2O3. The formation of β-Bi2O3/PbS heterojunction was confirmed by various physical and chemical characterizations. The formation of the np heterojunction at the interface of β-Bi2O3/PbS doubled the photoelectrochemical current density compared with that of the bare β-Bi2O3 nanoflakes. The enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of the heterojunction photoanode structures are scrutinized.