Anodized TiO_2 nanotubes coated with Pt nanoparticles for enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity

摘要

TiO_2 nanotubes have been demonstrated with promising future in photoelectrocatalytic (PEC)_ applications and deposition of Pt nanoparticles on TiO_2 has been widely used to enhance their PEC activities. However, those Pt nanoparticles are normally randomly deposited on the surface of TiO_2 nanotubes. Selective deposition of Pt nanoparticles is important to achieve better charge separation. In this study, we reported an electrochemical activation step to prepare TiO_2 nanotubes deposited with Pt nanoparticles on their open ends. The "activation step" played a key role in achieving a clean surface of the TiO_2 nanotubes, thus ensuring the uniform growth of Pt nanoparticles and efficient photogenerated electrons transportation. The Pt-A-TiO_2 films have photocatalytic activities in hydrogen generation and methyl orange degradation with a high hydrogen generation rate of 0.74 mL/h/cm~2, three times that of the pure TiO_2 nanotubes (0.24 mL/h/cm~2). Thus, this study demonstrated an effective method for improving the performance of Pt/TiO_2 photocatalyst.