Electrodeposition of vertically aligned Sb2Se3 nanorods array for photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue

Abstract Sb2Se3, as a new class of functional materials, has recently emerged for solar energy conversion owing to its low cost and high activity. In this paper, a facile electrodeposition method allows uniform formation of vertically aligned Sb2Se3 nanorods arrays. The physical and chemical properties of Sb2Se3 films can be modulated by varying the used substrates. A more uniform nanorod-shaped Sb2Se3(Se) film is developed on the Se-coated Ni substrate with better crystallinity, improved light absorption ability, suitable band structure, efficient photogenerated carriers transport. Additionally, the Sb2Se3(Se) film exhibits the better photocatalytic activity, and degrades 74.7% methylene blue (MB) after irradiation for 60 ​min, as compared to the Sb2Se3(Ni) film. The research provides an effective approach for synthesizing well-aligned Sb2Se3 nanorods arrays, and reveals a new direction for designing high-efficiency photocatalysis.