Solvent Selection as a Key Factor in the Performance of Semitransparent Heterojunctions Composed of Hydrogenated Nanotubes and Bismuth Sulfides

Research on titanium nanotubes modified with metal sulfides, particularly bismuth sulfide (Bi₂S₃), aims to create heterostructures that efficiently absorb sunlight and then separate photogenerated charge carriers, thereby enhancing the energy conversion efficiency. This study shows a key role of solvent used for sulfide and bismuth salt solutions used during successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) onto the morphology, structure, and photoresponse of the heterojunction where one element is represented by semitransparent titania nanotubes (gTiNT) and the second is Bi₂S₃. Using 2-methoxyethanol and methanol during SILAR, results in remarkably photoactive 3D heterostructure and recorded photocurrents were 44 times higher compared to bare titania nanotubes. Additionally, methanol- and 2-methoxyethanol-based processing allowed uniform deposition of the sulfide, which was not reached for other solvents. XPS studies not only confirm formation of bismuth sulfides but also indicate that Bi_<i>x</i>Ti_<i>y</i>O_<i>z</i> compound can arise that can affect both stability and photoactivity of the electrode material.