Enhancement of photoelectrochemical response by Au modified in TiO2 nanorods

We report on the design and synthesis of a novel Au/TiO2/Au heterostructure and its implementation as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) application. The Au/TiO2/Au heterostructure was produced by assembling Au nanoparticles and TiO2 nanorods (NRs) onto FTO substrate, followed by electrodep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2013-09, Vol.38 (29), p.13023-13030
Main Authors: Li, Yongkun, Yu, Hongmei, Zhang, Changkun, Fu, Li, Li, Guangfu, Shao, Zhigang, Yi, Baolian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative fuels. Production and utilization
Applied sciences
Au nanoparticles
Electrodeposition
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fuels
Gold
Heterostructures
Hydrogen
Nanoparticles
Nanorods
Nanostructure
Photoelectrochemical water splitting
TiO2 nanorodes
Titanium dioxide
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
X-rays
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Summary:We report on the design and synthesis of a novel Au/TiO2/Au heterostructure and its implementation as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) application. The Au/TiO2/Au heterostructure was produced by assembling Au nanoparticles and TiO2 nanorods (NRs) onto FTO substrate, followed by electrodepositing Au nanoparticles on the TiO2NRs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical methods were adopted to characterize the prepared photoanodes. Compared to the system involving Au nanoparticles directly linked to TiO2, this Au/TiO2/Au heterostructure exhibits significant improved photoresponse as a photoanode, as demonstrated good performance in PECs. This study illustrates the importance of pre-deposited Au underlayers in influencing PEC properties of hybrid assembled nanostructures. As the Au/TiO2NRs/Au photoanodes are easily fabricated and highly stable, Au/TiO2NRs/Au can serve as a good substitution for TiO2 in a variety of solar energy driven applications including PEC water splitting, photocatalysis, and solar cells. •Au nanoparticles decorated TiO2 nanorods modified electrode was synthesized.•The modified electrode shows excellent photoactivity toward water splitting.•The Au amount can be well controlled by changing the deposition time.•The Au underlayers assisted the vectorial transfer of the photogenerated charges.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.03.122