Nonstoichiometric rutile TiO2 photoelectrodes for improved photoelectrochemical water splitting

• DOI: 10.1039/c3cc42458h
• Publication Date: 2013-06-03T14:52:35Z
• Authors: Chao Zhen; Lianzhou Wang; Li Liu; Gang Liu; Gao Qing Lu; Hui-Ming Cheng
• Keywords: Rutile; Stoichiometry; Titanium Dioxide; Photoelectrochemistry; Oxygen evolution

A new type of nonstoichiometric rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) film with around 15 at% oxygen vacancies homogeneously distributed throughout the bulk was prepared. The resultant films, when used as a photoelectrode, showed photoelectrochemical water splitting activity 1.7 times that stoichiometric TiO2 at bias 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl. This is believed to result from synergistic effect improved transport and surface transfer charge carriers compared TiO2.