Photoelectrochemical Properties of Highly-ordered Titania Nanotube-arrays

摘要

We report on non-particulate titania photoelectrodes with a unique highly-ordered nanotube-array architecture prepared by an anodization process that enables precise control over array dimensions. Under 320-400 nm illumination titania nanotube-array photoanodes, pore size 110 nm, wall thickness 20 nm, and 6 μm length, generate hydrogen by water photoelectrolysis at a normalized rate of 80 mL/W·hr, to date the most efficient titania-based photoelectrochemical device, with a conversion efficiency of 12.25%. The highly-ordered nanotubular architecture allows for superior charge separation and charge transport, with a calculated quantum efficiency of nearly 100% for incident photons with energies larger than the titania bandgap.