Composite Ni-TiO₂ nanotube arrays electrode for photo-assisted electrolysis

Abstract

This article is addressed to define a new composite electrode constituted by porous nickel and an array of highly ordered TiO2nanotubes obtained by a previous galvanostatic anodization treatment in an ethylene glycol solution. The electrochemical performances of the composite anode were evaluated in a photo-electrolyser, which showed good solar conversion efficiency with respect to the UV irradiance together with a reduction of energy consumption. Such a combination of materials makes our system simple and able to work both in dark and under solar light exposure, thus opening new perspectives for industrial-scale applications.