Abstract
A significant effect of the five major (121), (210), (111), (200), and (040) exposed facets obtained experimentally for the orthorhombic alpha-SnWO4 material on its performance for photocatalytic water splitting is highlighted from a hybrid density functional theory-based comprehensive study. Their electronic, redox, and transport characteristics reveal significant anisotropic characteristics. The specific function of each surface in water oxidation and proton reduction is in direct relationship with the exposed W coordination number. Our study predicts the (210) facet as being the only possible good candidate for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) upon surface modification, whereas the (200) facet is found to be a good candidate only for HER The (121) facet is an acceptable candidate for both OER and HER and the (111) facet for HER only but has less potentials than (210) and (200). The (040) facet is an unsuitable candidate for OER and HER. Interestingly, the proposed (001) facet is predicted to be the best candidate for HER. These results indicate the right direction to be followed for enhanced photocatalytic water splitting reactions based on the rational design of facet-oriented alpha-SnWO4 samples.