Hierarchical Nanowire Arrays Based on ZnO Core−Layered Double Hydroxide Shell for Largely Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Abstract

Well‐aligned hierarchical nanoarrays containing ZnO core and layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplatelets shell have been synthesized via a facile electrosynthesis method. The resulting ZnO@CoNi–LDH core−shell nanoarray exhibits promising behavior in photoelectrochemical water splitting, giving rise to a largely enhanced photocurrent density as well as stability; much superior to those of ZnO‐based photoelectrodes. This is attributed to the successful integration of photogenerated electron–hole separation originating from the ZnO core and the excellent electrocatalytic activity of LDH shell. This work provides a facile and cost‐effective strategy for the fabrication of multifunctional nanoarrays with a hierarchical structure, which can be potentially used in energy storage and conversion devices.