TiO2 nanostructures for photoelectrochemical cells (PECs)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.01.103
• Publication Date: 2015-02-18T05:15:27Z
• Authors: Anna Kusior; Anna Wnuk; Anita Trenczek-Zajac; Katarzyna Zakrzewska; Marta Radecka
• Keywords: Photocurrent; Anodizing; Rutile; Titanium Dioxide; Nanomaterials; Oxidizing agent; Photoelectrochemical cell; Photoelectrochemistry

Abstract TiO2 nanostructures were grown by oxidizing titanium foil. 1D nanomaterials were obtained via anodization in an electrolyte containing 1 wt% NH4F, ethylene glycol and 2 wt% H2O. Flower-like titanium dioxide (3D) was fabricated using chemical oxidation in a 30% H2O2 solution at moderate temperature. XRD analysis revealed a mixture of anatase and a smaller amount of rutile TiO2. The shape of photocurrent-voltage characteristics recorded in a photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) was found to be affected by the type of nanostructure. It was shown that 3D interconnected architecture improved photoelectrochemical performance.