Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, Vol.40, No.3, 266-269, 2007
Preparation and characterization of anodized Pt-TiO2 nanotube arrays for water splitting
Self-organized TiO2 nanotube-layers were formed by the electrochemical anodization of Ti in an HF electrolyte. The nanotube layers were then treated at different temperatures (300-600 degrees C) in the air. Platinum was doped on the TiO2 nanotube layer by e-beam sputtering. The samples were characterized by EDX, BET, XPS, SEM, XRD and photoelectrochemistry. The results clearly showed the successful Pt-doping of the TiO2 nanotubes. The photocatalytic evolution of H-2 due to the decomposition of water in the alkaline solution was investigated using the Pt-TiO2. nanotubes as a photocatalyst and iodide ions in the form of KI as a redox mediator. The results showed that the Pt-TiO2 nanotube photocatalyst generated H. successfully.