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Enhanced Charge Transfer Process in Morphology Restructured TiO 2 Nanotubes via Hydrochloric Acid Assisted One Step In‐Situ Hydrothermal Approach
Author(s) -
Woo An Gil,
Dhandole Love Kumar,
Park Hyunwoong,
Sub Bae Ho,
Mahadik Mahadeo A.,
Suk Jang Jum
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201901177
Subject(s) - anatase , photocatalysis , materials science , hydrochloric acid , hydrothermal circulation , chemical engineering , hydrothermal synthesis , photocurrent , electrolyte , nanotube , electrode , rutile , nanotechnology , chemistry , catalysis , carbon nanotube , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , engineering , metallurgy
In this study, we demonstrate the enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the titanium foil based TiO 2 nanotube (TNT) array through a simple hydrothermal (HT) acid treatment method. The influence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) concentration variation in HT method on morphology and the photoelectrochemical performances of TNTs nanostructures were studied. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction results confirmed the morphology and crystal structure easily restructured during HCl assisted one step in‐situ hydrothermal approach. The photocurrent density of optimized acid treated TiO 2 nanotube (TH‐40) electrode was observed to be 2‐times higher than the pristine TNT electrode. Thereafter, TH‐40 sample exhibited noticeably photoelectrochemical solar hydrogen production of 66 μmol and 82 μmol in NaOH and Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 electrolytes respectively than the pristine TNT. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the restructured morphology, as well as the efficient charge separation at rutile‐anatase interface in the TH‐40 sample as well as at the electrode‐electrolyte interface. A hydrochloric acid assisted one step in‐situ hydrothermal approach tailors the crystal structure and morphological features, which enhanced the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO 2 nanotube.