Fe-Doped SnS₂ Nanoflowers for Magnetically-Tunable Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Because of its excellent optical and electrical properties, SnS2 has been widely used in solar cells, photocatalysis, and other fields. Here, a Fe-doped SnS2 nanoflower with room temperature ferromagnetism was constructed to investigate the effect of Fe doping and an external magnetic field on the photoelectric catalytic hydrogen production of water splitting. Enhanced visible-light absorption and electrical conductivity were observed in Fe-doped SnS2, thereby enhancing its photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production performance. Moreover, the application of an external magnetic field leads to a negative potential shift, resulting in a decreased photocurrent response for Fe-doped SnS2. In addition, the first-principles calculations also indicate the origin of the magnetic properties and improved catalytic activity of a SnS2 nanoflower with Fe doping.