3D nanoflower-structured TiO₂ photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Abstract In this study, 3-dimensional nanoflower structured TiO 2 photoanodes were successfully grown onto tin oxide doped with fluorine substrates. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were performed. The 3-dimensional TiO 2 nanoflowers presented improved photoelectrochemical performance compared with a TiO 2 layer. Meanwhile, TiO 2 nanoflowers with 2.5 h preparation time substantially increased the production of H 2 compared with the TiO 2 layer. The improved performance could be ascribed to the 3-dimensional nanoflower structure with many carriers and fast reaction kinetics, which enhanced light absorption and enlarged the contact area between the photoanode and electrolyte. Moreover, this nanoflower structure with trunks connected to the FTO substrate also improved the transfer of photogenerated carriers.