Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Characteristics of TiO2 Nanotubes via Plasma Treatment

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Characteristics of TiO2 Nanotubes via Plasma Treatment Over the years, titanium oxide (TiO2) has gained increasing attention as a promising material in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting due to its high photocatalytic activity and electrical conductivity. Anatase phase of TiO2 exhibits great photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to its wide bandgap, suitable band positions, and high carrier mobility. Moreover, photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2 can be further improved by tuning surface properties such as electronic configuration or nanostructures. In this study, ion plasma process is applied as a surface engineering strategy for enhancing photocatalytic activities of TiO2 nanotubes. Plasma surface treatment can induce a number of nanopores on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes by physicochemical etching effects. In addition, partial amorphization can be achieved on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes by plasma surface treatment. The formal can enhance specific surface area of TiO2 nanotubes, while the later can enhance light absorption for visible light and charge separation. These two factors can synergistically boost photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotubes.