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Photoelectrochemical properties of titania nanotubes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2004

Gopal K. Mor ,
Karthik Shankar ,
Oomman K. Varghese  and
Craig A. Grimes
Gopal K. Mor
Affiliation:
Departments of Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering,The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Karthik Shankar
Affiliation:
Departments of Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering,The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Oomman K. Varghese
Affiliation:
Departments of Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering,The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Craig A. Grimes*
Affiliation:
Departments of Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering,The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
*
a) Address all correspondence to this author.e-mail: cgrimes@engr.psu.edu
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Abstract

N-type nanocrystalline titania is a promising material for use in semiconductor photoelectrochemical cells and, potentially, the solar generation of hydrogen. In this study, we examined the photochemical properties of titania nanotube arrays made by anodization of a starting Ti foil in a fluoride ion containing electrolyte. The absorption properties of the titania nanotube samples were investigated using diffuse reflectance ultraviolet (UV)-visible (vis) spectroscopy, with a broadening of the absorption spectra seen as a function of material phase, nanotube diameter, and Pd sensitization. The magnitude of the anodic photocurrent obtained from the polycrystalline nanotube samples, measured under band gap UV illumination, appeared to be significantly higher than that reported for any other form of nanocrystalline titania. A maximum photoconversion efficiency (UV light exposure at 365 nm, intensity 146 mW/cm2) of 4.8% was obtained for 22 nm diameter nanotubes annealed at 500 °C and coated with a discontinuous palladium layer of 10 nm average effective thickness.

Keywords

AnnealingOptical propertiesPhotochemical

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Type
Articles
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Journal of Materials Research , Volume 19 , Issue 10 , October 2004 , pp. 2989 - 2996
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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